Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

My greatest inspiration in business is my grandmother, who bravely immigrated from Greece to the United States & first introduced me to skincare, wellness, & the beauty of simple, natural living. Values that inspired the foundation of Calithea. My family also inspires me; watching my parents’ work ethic pushed me to build something bigger than myself, not for my benefit but for the benefit of others. My heritage continues to guide my vision, which is why Calithea is proudly made in

How do you stay motivated?

I stay motivated by the mentors I’ve met along this journey, my customers who truly believe in the products & the inspiring stories of other women founders. Their paths remind me that everyone has a story & success rarely comes easily. Seeing how everyone overcomes challenges in their life pushes me to keep going. I’m driven to build something bigger than myself, & thinking about the people I serve, want to give opportunity to, & the impact I hope to create.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the funds to reach more people through marketing & education, building momentum for a rebrand. I’d invest in community & partnerships, create educational content, & host in-person events so customers can learn, connect, & experience Calithea firsthand. My goal is strong brand recognition to enter larger retail, expand production & launch new products. All this will help give us back to St Jude hospital, as I've seen what they've done for my brother, I want t