South Bay 6.12.2017

Alisha Maisano

I never asked for this career. This career asked for me, actually! Back when I was about 17, I used to play piano at our church. I had been taking lessons since I was 5 and I was comfortable performing. Read More>>

Ryan Ewald

I had been working in the industry for a little under a decade. Originally as a technician and then later in sales. So having experienced working on both the technical and sales side of the industry, as well as having a growing family (4 kids now!), it felt like the right time to purse my dream of entrepreneurship. Read More>>

Richard and Krystal Wallinger

Richard started in the industry making shutters in his dad’s shutter factory. After that he branched into field repairs. After his dad closed the doors to the manufacturing business, Richard began working with well-known shutter companies in the area doing installs. After 10 years, he decided to branch out on his own and start selling and installing shutters. Read More>>

Chris Ansell

Rory and I met in college and both shared a distinct love for Mario Kart, cheap beer, and great music, above all. Truth is, I don’t think either of us ever felt comfortable living in the status quo. After finishing a year traveling with Royal Caribbean, I found myself grounded in LA- working construction and learning to live a more sustainable, goal oriented life. Read More>>

Robin Psota

I started as a “madwoman” in New York City. I worked in the media and creative departments of major ad agencies in the 1980s and 90s. I moved to California in 1996, where I started buying and selling antiques and vintage goods. Eventually, I started an Estate Sale Company. Read More>>

Louis Lee

I’ve been building model kits from the 1960s, I bought some property in the South Bay in 2000, I wanted to build something, tracked down a local hobby shop, 30 days later I purchased three of the sellers’ businesses situated in the strip mall. After 16 1/2 years in business as J.D. Hobbys, I find it absolutely incredible that the traditional brick/mortar hobby shops have all but disappeared! What remains are the chain stores i.e. “Hobby Lobby”, and Hobby Town U.S.A.” Read More>>

Mary Jurek

Creative work has always been a driving passion of my life. Since early childhood I was recognized for my strong drawing skills and innate artistic talent. By college years it was clear I would pursue a degree in fine art, specializing in sculpting and oil painting. Read More>>

Bill Mullan

We all gravitate towards the things in life that bring us joy, as a firearms enthusiast it only seemed natural for me to end up here representing the local south bay sports men and women. Initially as a certified NRA instructor for Pistol, Rifle and shotgun and ultimately as a manufacturer and Dealer of Firearms. Read More>>

Tasia Burgess and Laurie Meilbeck

Tashion LA Luxury Swimwear and Resort wear can be found glorifying the bodies of the sexiest fashionable women of Sunny Southern California. Tashion LA swimwear brands deliver a sophisticated top-quality swimwear and resort wear collection. Tashion LA was founded in the spring of 2013 by two trendy and fashion forward women, a mother and daughter team. Read More>>

Erik Mäki

Grew up in SF, and spent childhood in my grandfather’s workshop learning to use hand woodworking tools. Went to UCSD for college, started a custom longboard skateboard company (Maki Longboards) to learn about business and teach myself fine woodworking skills with the idea of one day owning a traditional woodworking business. Read More>>

Jake O’Brien and Alyssa Wible

I had experience working for other people in landscape maintenance and grounds keeping. With a baby on the way, I decided to take my knowledge of plants, landscaping, and irrigation and became my own boss. I started off with a few clients and supplemental income, and have since expanded to working all over the South Bay. With almost five years under my belt, I never lose sight of my clients’ needs; they want me to be engaged every step of the way. Read More>>

Ted Randall and Tre Green

My wife and I (Ted) bought a new home that needed a complete remodel. We unknowingly hired an unscrupulous contractor who stole 10’s of thousands of dollars from us. We ended up in litigation and settling out of court, but it was a nightmare. Many sleepless nights. Read More>>

Patrick Molloy Bastian

Patrick Molloy’s was founded in 1996 by my father Bill Bastian and mother Alice Bastian. My mother and father were divorced at the time and my mom remarried Fred Hahn who became a partner in the business. My father and mother had previously owned The Grunions in Manhattan Beach and The End-Zone in Hermosa Beach. Read More>>

Kathleen Keifer

After I got my BFA from Notre Dame, the plan was to go into portrait painting and illustration. But if I’ve learned anything from LA, I have learned that roads take unexpected turns. I became a landscape painter the moment I stepped off the plane at LAX. That ocean! That color! Read More>>