Barbara Moritz,
Treasures Found Just For You

FJ: What lead you to create your company?
BM: I have been dabbling in Vintage/Antiques for personal and sales since I was 18. When retiring from LAUSD and LACC. I received my Appraisal Certification and I finally did it as a full-time gig.

FJ: What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
BM: The key driving force was a phrase in German that someone gave me and put on my business cards, “Liebe Ihre Arbeit”. In translation: “Love your work”. I wanted to do what I love and on my own terms.

Eve Bushman, Author, Philanthropist, Eve's Wine 101

FJ: What lead you to creating your company?
EB: For-profit companies asked for our help with their events. We don’t charge the non-profits so we had to start the business so we could have a pay scale for others.

FJ: What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
EB: We liked that there was a demand for what we do, and we were and still are, the only ones doing it.

Barbara Moran, Wine Enthusiast, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

FJ: What lead you to creating your company?
T&B: I’m not sure it was a conscious thought. I landed in the wine industry by default. When you have 500 vines on your property and get involved with someone who has been “doing wine” for more than 25+ years; my business experience and background just lent itself to what we’re doing today, Wine Resources LLC, a fully operational winery in the Lancaster, Antelope Valley area, with Thief & Barrel Tasting Room on the front of the house.

The other side of the conversation might be, I’m not a great employee and have worked for myself for a very long time. My business focus for almost 20 years has been business consulting, marketing, networking and overall business development.

FJ: What was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
T&B: As I commented above, I realized early on, I’m not a great employee. I don’t do the 8 to 5 or 9 to 5 process very well. I don’t mind working late into the night and often find that to be my most productive time. Not many corporate jobs will allow you to work, on your own, at midnight. I enjoy working with others, being part of a team, but also work very well on my own and interacting if, when and as needed. I also enjoy working from my patio table or having my dogs at my feet.

Single Mothers Outreach (SMO)

An interview with Yorleni Sapp, Executive Director

FJ: What lead you to start working with SMO?
SMO: Single Mothers Outreach is a grassroots organization originally founded in 1995 by divorcee Debbie Quick who sought peer support from other single mothers. In 1998, the agency acquired its 501(c) (3) nonprofit status, and it opened its storefront office in Canyon Country in 2002. After serving single mothers for over a decade, the Board of Directors began to question the drop-in service model, which often only provided emergency services to stabilize families in crisis. In November 2007, the Board began a major reorganization to improve the quality