Cynthia Cervantes Gumbs, Creative Director
“This is my second career. My first career, I worked in educational reform at various nonprofits that provided services and training to low income schools, specifically teachers and administrators. I worked in every kind...
Arati Sharma, Founding Partner, Backbone Angels + Co-Founder, Ghlee
“I was born in Toronto and then we moved to a suburb called Brampton, which has a huge South Asian population. I always talk about that because it had a huge impact on my...
Sable Yong, Beauty Writer + Podcast Host
“I had severe social anxiety as a teenager. My therapist at the time encouraged me to try doing something in a controlled environment, and so I joined the drama club because they had scripts....
Dating The Skincare Addict
Elizabeth Grace Hand, the aesthetician and founder of New York facial studio Ställe Studios—a favorite of clients like influencer Alix Earle and gallerist Hannah Traore for its bespoke, treatment-focused approach—met her partner, Jon Folkesson,...
Meredith Duxbury, Model + Content Creator
“I've always loved the idea of makeup, but I didn’t really wear it until I got to college. I went to Southern Connecticut State University, and I started my degree in biology because I...
Sai De Silva, The Real Housewives of New York + Scout The City
“I’m from East Flatbush, Brooklyn. I went to college on a pre-med track because I wanted to be a pediatrician, but then I thought about how I was going to be broke for the...
An Ode To My Teenage Make-up Bag
You never forget your first one. Lipstick, that is. Mine was by Revlon – a warm-toned cinnamon-brown hue. It was the mid-1990s, and I was a pre-teen who, admittedly, already owned a pretty impressive...
Part II: Dianna Cohen, Founder, Crown Affair
Dianna is a DTC powerhouse. Read how she got her start in Part I first. Back now? OK let’s get to Part II, The Top Shelf! “My mom was the one who...
Michella Filipowitz on Embracing Unique Family Journeys
Michella Filipowitz’s journey is a testament to how one person’s determination and compassion can make a profound difference in the lives of others. From her beginnings as a young model in Paris to becoming...
Gabriella Khalil, Creative Director, Palm Heights
“I founded Palm Heights in Grand Cayman in 2019, and I’m now the Creative Director. I do a little bit of everything, from curating the guest experience to organizing the event programming. When I’m...
