Susanne Sapier
In late 2008, we decided to buy a piece of property in Ramona, Ca and start a vineyard. Just 3 weeks later, in early 2009, we planted our first vine on the property. While waiting for the new vines to produce good grapes, I started wine-making right away. Read more>>
Lindsey Salman and Jennifer Bohensky
Jennifer and Lindsey have been friends since our freshman year in high school; ever since then they have always been the type of friends to meet occasionally but always had a good time catching up. On one special occasion Jennifer invited Lindsey to try out a yoga class for the first time, Jennifer had been going regularly and wanted to show Lindsey how amazing it was. Read more>>
Devin Shea
Two things took place in my life at a very early age that shaped the purpose of my professional career. The first is I have incredible parents. My mom was a preschool teacher and my dad, was a cardiologist. They showed me from the very beginning what it was like to work hard in service to others. Read more>>
Venus Andrecht
My sister called me one night and said, “You know that surfer who died today? That was Michael.” Michael was my sister’s 36 year old son! I started screaming and crying, then threw the phone at my then BF Bill. Read more>>
Samantha and Gregg Anderson
Gregg and I met at San Diego State University in 2010. We had both just transferred in, Gregg being a Coast Guard veteran and me having spent some time pursuing musical theatre in New York. Gregg studied entrepreneurism and I studied journalism — we really had no idea that we’d be where we are today. Read more>>
Mark Hillis
I started my career in commercial photography after taking various photography classes at Northern Arizona University. My major wasn’t in photography, but when I hit graduation I decided to go that direction anyway. I worked for a major studio in Phoenix from 1995-1998, first as an assistant, then working my way up to being a photographer. Read more>>
Greg Kelly
I started my business on a shoestring in 1979. I had gotten the entrepreneur bug in a big way. I outgrew 3 different shop leaseholds until 2002. Until that time, industry experts predicted independent shops needed to get larger to support the training and equipment needs of the coming vehicles. Read more>>
Barry Brunye
Our family acquired Dudley’s Bakery in 2007 after years of neglect. We realized it is a San Diego icon and was worth updating and preserving for future generations, after all people have been visiting here for over 50 years. Read more>>
Josh Turchin
I grew up in the recycling business: My Dad was partners with my Mother’s Father, so I’m technically third generation. I spent my childhood in a rare “reverse-retail” business where our product is cash, and where we enable our customers to do something positive for the future health of our planet, but which was hidden in an industrial neighborhood in El Cajon that most people couldn’t be troubled to patronize. Read more>>
Jamie Deering
My father, Greg Deering began learning woodworking from my Grandfather at the age of 2 by watching him build model airplanes. Growing up in San Diego, he received his first tools at age 4 and many of these tools he still has today. That is how important this was to him. It was a career in the making. Read more>>
Brian Bowersock
After 5 years in the Navy, Brian worked at an independent repair shop for a year until he took over a failing auto repair shop, buying all the equipment with the little savings he had. He then turned the shop around and made it into West Escondido Automotive & Transmission. Read more>>
Jennifer Faye
My company is SFI Foundation and we are a non-profit organization that administers a testing certification program for racing safety products. I currently hold the position of Vice President. I grew up in the company because my parents ran it, and I helped out around the office as a kid. Read more>>
Aaron Dean
I have always had a connection to La Mesa. I grew up on Mt Helix and went to Fuerte Elementary School. My Grandparents have lived in the area for over 60 years as well as my father’s medical practice has been in La Mesa for over 37 years. I started looking at building a brewery in La Mesa (which still might happen). Read more>>
Tani and Tom Roberts
It started with our own farm table from the late 1800’s. We have 5 children and we are always gathering around the table to eat, visit or play board games. When we started Bucket we always knew we wanted to evolve into custom building tables for families. Read more>>
Dee Brooks
Dee (Deebone) is the sole owner of Deebone Productions which was established in October 2003 when she was hired, with no experience, to represent a musician who was also a spoken word artist. A month later, to promote her client, she held citywide auditions for spoken word poets to perform in an upcoming show she created for the client called “Spoken Expressions”. Read more>>
Liz McNamara
I started 10 years ago as a high end clothing store, had an amazing first year and then the economy crashed! Instead of giving up on my dreams, I changed and adapted. Over the years the type of clothing we carried changed and we started using furniture to display our products. Read more>>
Alfonso Vazquez
Alfonso was born in Guadalajara, Mexico and grew up in San Diego California. At the age of 17 he enlists in The United States Marine Corps and retires in 2004 after serving 24 years. Alfonso participated in the Persian Gulf War and Iraq war where he occasionally entertained soldiers, civilians and Marines with his close up magic. Read more>>
Tiffany Sherbondy
I have always had a love and passion for horses. My parents bought me my first horse when I was in 6th grade and then a young competitive show horse when I was in high school. I had to work many hours at the facility where I boarded and trained in order to help pay for training, boarding, and showing. Read more>>
Todd Schoelen and Katie Ramage
As I contemplated what my next business venture would be, I knew that prioritizing the passions of my life, and the lifestyle my wife Katie and I created were most important. We love the outdoors, we love being active and exploring beautiful places together and with family and friends. Read more>>
Richard Schultz
After spending 20 plus years in the IT industry, I decided to quit the corporate world and pursue my passion, photography. I had actually started photography at a young age and had honed my skill by taking several photography classes at such institutions as: Palomar College, Calumet Photo, Meetups, and The Right Light Studio. Read more>>
Crystal, Amy and Mareen
We wanted something different for Rancho San Diego, something out of the ordinary, by bringing in designers that were not yet in the US market . After extensive research we accumulated a number of designers that the team of 4 girls approved prior to requesting accounts with them. Read more>>
Russ and Jo Baumgartner
Russ was taught general engineering, the concrete trades and good business practices by working in his father’s company; Concrete Contractors Interstate (CCI) of Colorado. Russ’s father started CCI in 1958 in Brighton, CO and within 17 years turned it into a transit mix corporation, a sand and gravel corporation and a concrete ready mix plant. Read more>>
Jane Glickman and Michelle Leone
The company was founded by Aleita Downer. “Do What You Love and the Rest Will Follow” When Aleita’s son applied to CCI for a Service Dog for the Disabled…and was put on a five year wait list, she sure she could train a dog for him; one that could open his doors and turn on his lights and perform all the usual tasks. Read more>>
Michele Nash-Hoff
I started in the manufacturing industry as an engineering secretary at age 18, and then transferred to working in the marketing department of a local defense contractor for a few years. After having two children, I went to college and got a degree from SDSU in French and Spanish. Read more>>
Joyce Bruggeman
In 1981, The Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL) group evolved from a Traumatic Death support group. As the number of survivors in San Diego increased, additional support groups and services were added. A newsletter was created in 1983, and a help-line for survivors was established in 1984 and has been maintained to date. Read more>>
Laura Wolfe
I got started in Real Estate two years ago. I’ve always loved interior design and HGTV and come from a service background so it was a natural fit. I also bought and sold a couple houses and no offense to the realtor’s I used but felt like I could be a great realtor and be more mindful of service during the transaction. Read more>>
