By Francesca Bermudez Ronnie Blades grew up in Pasadena surrounded by two fashionable female figures with wardrobes that crossed generations. Blades was enamored with the beauty and style of her grandmother, Alberta Price, who was “a bit of a socialite in LA.” Price attended exclusive Black events in Los Angeles that were not segregated. She […]
Creating a Community: Playa Vista residents build platform for startups
By Luke Netzley Los Angeles has become the third-largest startup ecosystem in the United States, according to reports, with a collection of its Westside cities gaining the nickname “Silicon Beach.” Home to companies like Microsoft, Google and YouTube, Playa Vista stands at the heart of this tech-driven, creative explosion. Residents Kenny Lum and Satoshi Miyagawa […]
Cultivating the Future: WealthGarden f.s. helps clients’ finances grow and thrive
By Alison Stanton For as long as Josephti Cruz can remember, she has enjoyed taking care of others. Whether it’s being a trusted “rock” for a friend or doing whatever she can to make life easier for a family member, Cruz finds joy and fulfillment in being a calm and reassuring presence in other people’s […]
Fitness is Forever: Betsy Mendel’s personal training for seniors
By Morgan Owen Betsy Mendel fell in love with fitness in the ’80s during the age of Jane Fonda and step aerobics. Even more than the physical benefits, she loved how working out made her feel. After moving to Los Angeles from Atlanta, Mendel started her own personal training business. Mendel laughs, remembering how she […]
Sarah Kim warms her neighbors with Moto Ramen
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Restaurateur Sarah Kim calls her latest venture, Moto Ramen in Culver City, a trip back home. She grew up in the city, feels comfortable with her neighbors and loves feeding them. Kim, who has spent two decades in the industry, said the location just made sense. “I see the neighborhood changing,” she […]
Parker Clay launches fundraising campaign
By Kamala Kirk Parker Clay, a B-Corp and Ethiopian leather goods brand on a mission to uplift at-risk women, recently launched a new fundraising campaign that will empower sustainable consumers to play a more direct role in shaping the future of fashion. “By investing in the first B-Corp to hold a community fundraising round, you’ll […]
The Gift of Relaxation
From last-minute shopping to parties and family gatherings, the holidays are a busy time for everyone. Treat loved ones (and yourself) to a spa service at one of these wellness sanctuaries across the Westside and enjoy the ultimate gift of relaxation and rejuvenation. From last-minute shopping to parties and family gatherings, the holidays are a […]
Season for Giving
• Bath & Body Works’ Dream Bright Gift Set includes a daily nourishing body lotion, shower gel and fine fragrance mist that come arranged inside a stunning decorative box. The brand’s new floral-fruity fragrance features notes of sapphire berries, night-blooming orchid and crystalized vanilla. $36.50, bathandbodyworks.com • Give tree decorating more meaning with Artifact Uprising’s […]
Dining Safely
For those suffering from food allergies, Janylle Radden may be their new best friend. As a person with nut allergies, she is intimately familiar with the stress of eating out and being at the mercy of servers who may or may not know what constitutes an allergy. Her life changed when she was at a […]
Helping Black Businesses Bloom
Deutsch LA’s free brand-building program provides support to local entrepreneurs By Stella Karron Playa Vista-based advertising agency Deutsch LA started a program called Blackness in Full Bloom in February 2020. The marketing program is offered to Black business owners to help further their companies. Ayn Howze, head of advocacy and communications at Deutsch LA, says […]