Feeling under-appreciated as an employee, a nonexistent work-life balance, financial struggles, getting out of bad relationships – these are the most common triggers that push women to become entrepreneurs. Tell us about your trigger?

In 2014, I was paralyzed from the neck down during a surgery procedure. I didn’t know if I would be able to walk again, let alone design again. Losing the ability to design was inconceivable to me, so I pushed myself through five hours of therapy every day to regain my abilities. I kept pushing myself and in 2017, I opened an OC concept store pop-up in Miami, and the following year, debuted the flagship store OC Jewellery & Spa in the city’s renowned Design District. 

Today, OC Jewellery spans 16 collections ranging from luxury pieces to affordable staples, including men’s and children’s lines. I’ve expanded into OC Home and OC Spa collections, with plans to launch OC Cosmetics in 2021. 

This also was the catalyst for me to start the Never Give Up foundation that helps other spinal cord victims on their paths to recovery.

How did you come up with your business idea?

I have always had an underlying passion for design, and I collaborated with Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier on a charm bracelet and some necklaces, as well as some pieces for Bédat and Co, a jewelry and watchmaker in Switzerland. I loved the work but wanted to create my own designs, so I founded OC Jewellery in 2007 to showcase my heritage and travels around the world and what I learned from studying various cultures and craftsmanship techniques. 

I was competing against jewelry companies like Van Cleef, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier, who have histories and reputations dating back hundreds of years, so I had to figure out my particular niche and tell my story. I pride myself in that we carry something for everyone and we have a piece for every style, every budget, every age. People can also set up personal appointments with me and I will design a bespoke piece for them. That’s what sets us apart.

Have you had support from someone, even if just encouragement? Who was that and how did it help you?

My family was always very supportive. My dad was a civil engineer and built schools, supermarkets, malls, you name it. When I was opening my communications agency, he came by my office and drew the design plans on the actual floor – the reception area, conference room, where my office would be. He died from cancer that year so he never finished, but he was a big help in my life and I will always treasure those touching moments. 

My grandparents provided me with a lot of knowledge. My grandmother was my best friend and helped me manage my first vendors. She always had a good sense for seeing simple things – what will work, what won’t. When I was 12, my grandfather taught me how to do accounting for the real estate he owned so I learned at a very young age how to deal with business and people.

Female entrepreneurs are often underestimated and overlooked. Have you ever felt at a disadvantage?

I finished my masters at 19, so finding a job was very complicated because I was overeducated and too young. 

One day, I was with a friend in a bar, talking about my situation. This businessman overheard our conversation and told me to come to his office the next day at 8 a.m. He said his name was Hawrylyshyn and to remember it. 

The next morning, I went to his office and the first thing he asked me was how to spell his name. I just went for it and spelled how I thought it was spelled. I miraculously got it right and he said okay, here’s your office and here are all the company’s investments. You need to learn it all if you want to become the manager of marketing and communications and he closed the door behind him. I thought, what have I gotten myself into, but I poured my heart and soul into it and learned it. 

I think anybody, not just females, should take chances when they present themselves, you never how it will turn out!

Some say it’s hard work, others say it’s talent and resourcefulness that play a crucial role for success in entrepreneurship? Which traits have been instrumental for your success so far? And why?

Dedication to learning your industry and craft inside and out is an absolute necessary trait. When you design a ring, you can either make it from a precious stone you purchased or you draw it and you have to find the stone that fits. You have to know the stones, the carats and their attributes, so you know which will work best.

What excites you the most about being an entrepreneur?

I love helping to develop the people on my team and help them build a great career.

Share with us some of the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

People present investment opportunities all the time and promise great returns. You need to fully research and understand the opportunity and all of the risks, because every opportunity comes with risks. Even if they are a friend, ask for their business plan and take the time to read it and get a professional opinion so you are fully aware of what you are getting involved with.

You’ve got a high stake investment opportunity. Pitch your business in 150 words.

Our client experience is like none other. When they visit the boutique, we want it to be a time of relaxation and pampering, so we combined the experience of jewelry shopping with a spa. Guests can get a facial or a massage, or perhaps have their makeup and hair done before they shop while enjoying champagne and light bites. I want a woman to look and feel as beautiful as she can, and then enhance them with a piece of fabulous jewelry.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

Optimize our eCommerce platforms. Sell the OC Magic Oil through a major distribution channel. Be happy in both my professional and personal lives.

Feeling under-appreciated as an employee, a nonexistent work-life balance, financial struggles, getting out of bad relationships – these are the most common triggers that push women to become entrepreneurs. Tell us about your trigger?

For the first several years, I didn’t consider myself an entrepreneur. As a matter of fact, I started my agency because my clients (who I worked with at the ad agency I was employed with at that time) needed someone they could trust to grow their business vs simply taking their money. Plus, the Military channel was completing untapped at that time – no full-service agency provided marketing solutions to the hundreds of CPG companies represented – and I had identified there was a huge need. 

Twenty-one years later, my team still works with globally known brands such as ConAgra Foods (who I started with), PepsiCo (19 years), Tyson Foods (8 years), Kraft/Heinz (12 years) Bumble Bee (18 years), Coca-Cola (7 years), Mondelez (15 years), and many more!

How did you come up with your business idea?

The idea for Meeschell came after I started working with emerging brands in the naturals space about eight years ago. As apart of my efforts, I was developing a sales and marketing strategy for each, to include brand building. What I consistently noticed was, unless each had SEO set up, used social media consistently and effectively, and advertised/saturated the market, a consumer could not find that brand. 

So, I developed the business model for Meeschell – a marketplace specific to natural products to include beauty, pet, food, beverages, home, and baby that would bring women-owned/small business brands to one e-retailer.

Have you had support from someone, even if just encouragement? Who was that and how did it help you?

I have a great circle of support. I’m an Officer for the Southern CA region of Network of Executive Women. My eight years with this group have been amazing. I’ve developed partnerships, business relationships, and friendships that have allowed me to pivot consistently, share ideas and strategies, and get feedback, assistance, transparency, and support that I wouldn’t find anywhere else.

Female entrepreneurs are often underestimated and overlooked. Have you ever felt at a disadvantage?

Not really. Even as a young girl, my biggest strength has been listening and observing. I’ve been very blessed to have amazing clients through the years, both men and women, who have supported me. I excel at building relationships and that’s very much benefited me. 

Have I dealt with narcissistic men through the years? Of course! Could I work with them like everyone else with no problems? Yes. No one has ever really phased me

Some say it’s hard work, others say it’s talent and resourcefulness that play a crucial role for success in entrepreneurship? Which traits have been instrumental for your success so far? And why?

Resourcefulness is a definite! I don’t think it makes you successful but I certainly think it’s beneficial when you are wearing many hats. However, I would say the biggest key to my success has been relationship building. 

I’ll take you back 21 years ago when I didn’t know I had this skill. I listened, and if I didn’t have the answer, I sought out to find it, and I really cared about that individual and his/her business. If I messed up – I owned it. If I didn’t know – I admitted it. Most importantly, I always went above and beyond to provide a solution and meet objectives. 

I’m also very big on learning from one another. Individually, we don’t have all the answers but as a team through collaboration and discussion, we can build continued success.

What excites you the most about being an entrepreneur?

I have so many 🙂 

The people – meeting brand owners and hearing the passion in her voice as she explains the why and what behind her products. The development and growth of new/ innovative brands – being a part of the overall success of a program, advertising campaign, brand building and sales efforts. 

As stressful as it can often be, I do enjoy wearing many hats. The more knowledge, the more we grow.

Share with us some of the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

About 10 years ago, I was in negotiations for a merger acquisition with an older gentleman that owned a printing company. Six months into conversations, I lose my contract with ConAgra Foods – making them now a project client – which would reduce my profit margin by 40% annually. When I shared this news – this gentleman said very directly – “you won’t survive this…you need to shut down and get a job”. 

Of course, I paused for a few weeks as I thought about his advice, then decided to prove him wrong. Within two years, I secured new business that more than made up that 40% and had the pleasure of sending him an email expressing how happy I was that I DID NOT merge with him or his company.

You’ve got a high stake investment opportunity. Pitch your business in 150 words.

Meeschell is the first e-retailer in the U.S to offer a marketplace of natural, organic and eco-friendly products by women-owned, small business brands. Our business model is simple – offer consumers one e-retail location that meets the growing demand for natural products while partnering with brand owners that provide quality, innovation and great customer service!

Let’s talk about growth. The expected revenue of the natural-products segment to increase by more than $15 billion by 2024, as a result of three main drivers: Consumer demand for natural attributes; Increased natural brand offerings; and Distribution through conventional channels (source: SPINS Data). 

Meeschell meets all three of these drivers. In addition, categories such as food/ beverage, CBD/hemp, and supplements have seen a substantial increase in sales this year because of COVID while the demand for natural beauty, pet and baby products is seeing an increase as consumers continue to avoid products with artificial ingredients (source: Natural Products Insider). 

These facts will make Meeschell a sought after, profitable, high growth business!

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs?

Network – get as many people with a vast amount of knowledge and skillset in your circle and embrace each one of them. Understand the benefits and the value of your product or service and always communicate it and deliver. Know your strengths and weaknesses and never be afraid to compromise.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

Meeschell will be a household name. Customers will love our products, making us THE holistic community that everyone thinks of when wanting natural. 

Feeling under-appreciated as an employee, a nonexistent work-life balance, financial struggles, getting out of bad relationships – these are the most common triggers that push women to become entrepreneurs. Tell us about your trigger?

My trigger to becoming an entrepreneur was rooted in ambition but forged by necessity, for sure. My long time significant other had sadly and suddenly passed away and I was in a very scary place. I had just moved from NYC to LA and backed off from working as a professional model to focus on my music career, hence the move for us to Los Angeles. When he died, my future was very uncertain. 

You can’t possibly prepare for these events in life so you must take what you’ve got and make the absolute most of it. Which is what I did, essentially.

How did you come up with your business idea?

My obsession with all things “beauty” ran deep and it was a likely progression for me to get into products and specifically beauty products manufacturing as my stepmother was a successful cosmetic chemist. We connected once I moved from NYC to LA and the rest is history – as they say!

Have you had support from someone, even if just encouragement? Who was that and how did it help you?

My husband has been my greatest advisor through so much uncharted territory. Becoming this “entrepreneur” I took on so many risks. It gets very stressful and that responsibility just keeps growing. It’s not easy. I’m eternally grateful for his patience, wisdom and his guidance. I honestly don’t know if I could’ve done any of this without his unwavering support. 

My parents as well, have always sacrificed so much to help me grow the business. They moved across the country to come to California and run my warehouse and operations for me. 

And lastly, my stepmother to which without her formulation expertise, this would not even be possible!!! 

To sum it up in one word: Family.

Female entrepreneurs are often underestimated and overlooked. Have you ever felt at a disadvantage?

Initially, although I had a college degree, I felt I had so much to prove. I went from being a Recording Artist and professional Ford Model, to a business owner, managing people, problems, finances, operations, sales, education, etc… just every aspect of running and maintaining this business on the daily. 

I had to rise to the challenges. I didn’t have a choice. It was overwhelming some days and still is! I felt I wouldn’t be taken seriously at times because my educational background wasn’t in beauty instead I had a degree in Psychology! 

But honestly, the school of hard knocks taught me pretty well and now I’m ok with it. It’s not until you achieve some semblance of personal success that you kind of let go of these preconceived notions. I do remember feeling I had to be super assertive at times though. That didn’t come easily to me.

Some say it’s hard work, others say it’s talent and resourcefulness that play a crucial role for success in entrepreneurship? Which traits have been detrimental for your success so far? And why?

One of my personality traits which hurts me as much as it helps me as a business person is my desire for perfection. It’s impossible, first of all. I do realize that but I set myself up every time to strive for it. I’m extremely hard on myself. My worst critic, I guess you could say. I definitely hold myself AND those around me to a very high standard. 

I’ve had to adjust this a way of thinking to manage others and not let small failures eat me alive! It’s a work in progress for sure.

What excites you the most about being an entrepreneur?

Success. Achieving it. Owning it. I have to constantly remind myself “it’s the journey girl, don’t forget that”. It’s the best part!

Share with us some of the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

Mine would have to do with trust. Be careful who you bring into the inner workings of your business. Especially at the beginning when you don’t realize yet where it all may be going. Never allow vulnerability to others who you let know too much and ultimately become your competition. You never know what the future may bring and money and success alter individuals. Protect your proprietary information. I wish someone would’ve warned me not to trust too easily.

You’ve got a high stake investment opportunity. Pitch your business in 150 words.

Clinically validated, results-driven luxury cosmeceutical brand combining Human Stem Cell Extract and also products with CBD. Celebrity-favorite for flawless skin as well as Anti-Hair Loss. Physician favorite for post-treatment protocols to nourish, protect and restore the skin and hair. Found in plastic surgeons and dermatological practices as well as major retailers such as Dilllard’s and Macy’s. KERACELL is a high science luxury cosmeceutical brand which delivers unparalleled results for both men and women! 

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs?

NEVER GIVE UP! Die trying. It’s better than to have lived your whole life and never have tried at all.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

To fight harder for that work-life balance thing! I can’t work any harder so I think instead my goal is to keep trying to just enjoy the journey. Take a breathe and just take it all in sometimes. Look around and just be crazy grateful. For all of it!

Feeling under-appreciated as an employee, a nonexistent work-life balance, financial struggles, getting out of bad relationships – these are the most common triggers that push women to become entrepreneurs. Tell us about your trigger?

I was unhappy at my previous company for many reasons, but the trigger was pulled for me when I was terminated in January 2015. I could have gone to work for another big corporation, but I knew that wasn’t right for me, so I decided to start my own business with my business partner, Joe Griffin. It’s been a tremendous success, and we’ve built a lucrative company with an amazing team. 

How did you come up with your business idea?

I spent 13 years in big pharma and knew the industry pretty well. When I decided I wanted to start my own company, I interviewed doctors of all types to see what unmet need was present in the market. I truly wanted to create something that would help patients and doctors alike. 

Through interviewing these doctors, I found out earwax impaction was a big problem that drove many people to visit the doctor. The doctors were interested in an OTC product that would solve this problem—not only so they could use it in the office, but so their patients could use it at home and save the doctors’ time (they often don’t code earwax removal) so they could see higher-need patients. 

After almost a year in the lab and hundreds of formulations, we finally came up with the product, EARWAX MD. Things took off from there. We now have 9 ear care products in over 13K retail stores, on Amazon, and our website, with more products in the pipeline.

Have you had support from someone, even if just encouragement? Who was that and how did it help you?

My business partner, Joe Griffin, was and is a supportive and encouraging business partner on all accounts. I’ve learned that you can’t do it alone; it’s crucial to have someone there to celebrate the victories with as well as the tough losses. Having a business partner to lean on for support and encouragement has helped make our business possible. 

Female entrepreneurs are often underestimated and overlooked. Have you ever felt at a disadvantage?

Absolutely. I think being a female entrepreneur has its challenges and obstacles. I’ve faced many of the typical hurdles that numerous women before me have faced in terms of wage discrimination, sexism, harassment, and more. I’ve had the disadvantageous experience of being the only female in the room on many occasions. 

I do everything in my power to make sure that those aren’t obstacles in my company or for my employees.

Some say it’s hard work, others say it’s talent and resourcefulness that play a crucial role for success in entrepreneurship? Which traits have been instrumental for your success so far? And why?

I think, as you might guess, it’s a mix of many things. It’s definitely hard work, talent, and resourcefulness, that’s true, but it’s also the connections you’ve made and the network you’ve built that come in handy when launching a business or a product. 

I had many professional friends that stepped in when I started my company and helped me by offering me advice, counsel, and services. Those indispensable offerings are what helped make my dream a reality.

What excites you the most about being an entrepreneur?

Every single day I learn something new. I learn how to do something I’ve ever done before. It’s never boring, owning your own business. You’re constantly thinking on your feet and pivoting quickly to adjust to new situations thrown your way. I’m excited that I don’t know what challenge each day will bring. 

Share with us some of the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

Once, I was giving a presentation to a client. The client asked me a left-field question about a statistic I did not know, so I told the client I wasn’t sure. Afterwards, my superior was incredibly upset and told me to never say “I don’t know.” I think that’s the worst advice I’ve received, to pretend to know something you don’t. No one can know everything.

You’ve got a high stake investment opportunity. Pitch your business in 150 words.

Eosera is a fast-growing, multi-million-dollar, female-led biotech company focused on ear care. With a full, comprehensive line of ear care products for all ears in over 13K retail stores across the nation, including ear hygiene, earwax removal, ear itch, and ear irrigation, Eosera is one of the leading experts in ear care. 

Our products include EARWAX MD, EARWAX MD for Kids, EAR CLEAN MD, EAR ITCH MD NIGHTTIME, WAX BLASTER MD, and more. Our mission is to bring to market the latest quality innovations in ear care while staying true to our company values and placing people before profit. 

We believe in understanding the consumer’s needs and delivering product that serves those unmet needs in the healthcare industry. We’ve grown the ear care category in retailers by up to 35%, and we continue to introduce new innovations year after year.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs?

Be optimistic yet grounded, be flexible, be kind. 

Be optimistic yet grounded. You don’t have to be happy-go-lucky all the time, but keeping a positive attitude, even an attitude of perseverance, will not only help you get through tough times, but it will also lift others on your team up. As a leader, it’s important to remember to stay grounded. I’ve seen negativity spread through offices and ruin the culture of a company far too quickly. Don’t let it happen to you and yours. 

Be flexible. Something will pop up every day that you have never done before. Deals go wrong, things fall through, disasters happen. Being flexible will allow you to ride the wave and do all you can do to keep things together. 

Be kind. It’s a small world. Someone you talked to knows someone who knows someone who knows your mom. Make her proud.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

In 2021, we hope to expand our ear care line, introduce our nasal care line, and team up with more retailers than ever before. We hope to grow and change the ear care category with innovative, effective products and help consumers, doctors, patients, retailers, employees, and all stakeholders with our mission of putting people before profits.

Any final words to end this interview?

I’d love to share that business can be more than making money. Making money is important, and I’m no doubt a capitalist, but there’s a greater good that can be served. Eosera is one of the companies involved in conscious capitalism, a concept that believes there’s a higher purpose over profits. 

Our higher purpose is people. To us, believing in people before profits means keeping in mind and prioritizing the people you serve before your bottom line when making business decisions, large and small. 

Feeling under-appreciated as an employee, a nonexistent work-life balance, financial struggles, getting out of bad relationships – these are the most common triggers that push women to become entrepreneurs. Tell us about your trigger?

I actually had more of an inspiration than a trigger. My dad was a very successful restauranteur and I realized after working in a corporate environment that being an entrepreneur was much more my style. Hard work didn’t scare me as long as I could enjoy the process and run my own show. I ultimately went to work with him and once he was diagnosed with cancer wound up being in charge.

How did you come up with your business idea?

In 2006, my then 12-year-old niece, Kendra, was at my home one winter’s evening. We had recently experienced a number of family cancer losses and she was just drawing at my coffee table. A telethon came on for children with cancer. Kendra looked up and said, “I’ve got to help those kids”. 

She instantly drew a little dog – like one of those divinely inspired moments you hear about – and dubbed him “Trouble”. She then drew a very simple comic strip about a pup that was abandoned, rescued by a kindly Nonnie (based on her own grandmother who had passed away) and Trouble, in turn, pays it forward and rescues other pups. 

I saw the magic in this character and took a leap of faith to turn him into what he is today. Trouble is a global children’s character helping kids through the bumps in the road of life gently and with humor. He is an American made plush pup and we have just launched our third book in a series.

Have you had support from someone, even if just encouragement? Who was that and how did it help you?

I have had support from so many along this journey. Three women in particular – Carrie Schluter, Melanie Fleming and Sue Byors – have all stepped up in a variety of roles from creative to PR to bookkeeping to encourage me and keep me on track. 

People see not only the magic of Trouble but also the inspiration he elicits in kids which is why so very many have stepped up to help.

Female entrepreneurs are often underestimated and overlooked. Have you ever felt at a disadvantage?

Way back in the restaurant industry there were times I felt I was perhaps not being heard right away. But I have to say in this journey with Trouble The Dog I’ve really not experienced the same difficulty. Maybe I’m just stronger.

Some say it’s hard work, others say it’s talent and resourcefulness that play a crucial role for success in entrepreneurship? Which traits have been instrumental for your success so far? And why?

I say the most important trait to have an entrepreneur is to trust your gut. What is most detrimental would be not to follow that instinct.

What excites you the most about being an entrepreneur?

What is most exciting to me is the creative process as well as knowing how Trouble The Dog is inspiring kids to help other kids. 

As an example, a boy adopted from foster care after a very rough start in life receives so much comfort from Trouble that he’s started a campaign to get 185 Trouble Dogs into the arms of other kids still in foster care because he knows what it’s like. 

Share with us some of the worst business advice you’ve ever received?

The worst business advice I’ve ever received was to forget having Trouble made in America stating “people don’t care”. They do!

You’ve got a high stake investment opportunity. Pitch your business in 150 words.

Trouble The Dog is a character created from the pure heart of a child wishing to help other kids be their “troubles” big or small. Trouble inspires children to open up about their emotions as well as pay it forward for other kids. Trouble enchants kids who ask that he be turned into a cartoon character. This concept is different, engaging and we have the television pitch to prove it to the right partner.

What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to inspire aspiring entrepreneurs?

I’d advise aspiring entrepreneurs to realize they have a lot of hard and wonderful work ahead. And if the passion is truly there to never, ever give up on their dreams.

What are your goals for the upcoming year?

My goal for the coming year is to turn Trouble The Dog and his posse into a cartoon series.

Any final words to end this interview?

I’d love to share how breathtakingly difficult it was to have Trouble manufactured here in America. It took me six months, all day, every day, to find the right partner in American Bear Factory. I had many who wouldn’t give me the time of day, others who said: “you can’t afford to have us make your product”. 

And ultimately I persevered and Trouble is one of the very few plush pups made right here in America. We’re very proud of that accomplishment.