BELLA Boss: Women of Influence Issue
By Lynette Barbieri + Jana Roos
Achieving success in business requires ambition, unwavering resolve, and a relentless pursuit of your goals. In this feature, we proudly showcase savvy entrepreneurs whose remarkable achievements serve as a testament to the power of believing in yourself and taking bold leaps of faith. If you're seeking to transform your career trajectory, let their accomplishments guide you toward finding your own path to triumph.
Ghanya Hamade
United Arab Emirates
Ghanya Cosmetics FZE
Founder and CEO
GhanyaCosmetics.com, Instagram.com/GhanyaCosmetics
MY BUSINESS:
Ghanya Cosmetics aims to fulfill promises promptly, fostering happiness and pride in embracing one's natural beauty. Founded with care for my daughters, I introduced the groundbreaking "Spotless" formula, which addresses acne concerns and imparts a flawless texture. The subsequent product line features luxurious Plant Stem Cell formulas that address various skincare needs, ensuring a radiant glow and effective solutions for anti-aging, rosacea, skin melasma, pigmentation, firming, lifting, toning, and pore tightening. Each of my products undergoes meticulous testing and is proudly labeled dermatologist-tested, cruelty-free, vegan, sustainable, recyclable, and free from parabens, sulfates, and fragrances. They are suitable for all genders and skin types, marked as non-irritant. My effective products are crafted in the USA and rigorously tested in the USA, EU, and UK.
MOST REWARDING:
My biggest reward is the 100% satisfaction rate from my first 200 customers, followed by the nearly 90% of my customers who have placed a second order. It is also rewarding to receive feedback from clients who claim they no longer wear makeup every day because they feel so confident to go through the day flaunting their flawless complexion. I stand by my claim that my creams are among the best of the best in the market with competitive prices.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
I quote my husband saying: "My wife is an artist with a scientific mind who strives for perfection, and it's reflected in Ghanya Cosmetics!"
Lizzie Thomas
NYC and Miami
GOLD Music
President, CEO, and Artist
LizzieTheJazzSinger.com
MY BUSINESS:
I am an inventive jazz vocalist and songwriter, known for my sultry vocal stylings and deep interpretations of the lyric. Signed to Dot Time Records, I have graced the stages of prestigious venues worldwide and created alongside the “who’s who” of Jazz. My “Duo Encounters“ VINYL release show was named one of the best New York City concerts in 2023 by NYC Jazz Record.
MOST REWARDING:
Creating music is thrilling. Bringing my songs to life with my band is one of the most rewarding aspects of self-expression and a declaration of freedom. As a songwriter, I receive my songs through life's meditation and therefore pour myself into the music. As a result, both the listener and I are transformed.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
Freedom, self-expression, and surrounding myself with like-minded creatives and community.
Kellie Gerardi
Jupiter, FL
International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS)
Payload Specialist and Astronaut
Instagram.com/KellieGerardi
MY BUSINESS:
I'm a space researcher and a payload specialist. In November of 2023, I flew to space on a dedicated research mission with Virgin Galactic, during which I operated healthcare and fluid experiments on behalf of my research institute, the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. Flying to space was a lifelong dream and seeing Planet Earth from space with my own eyes was the most profound and beautiful sight
I've ever seen.
MOST REWARDING:
Fewer than one hundred women in history have ever flown to space and only a handful of mothers. It's the honor of a lifetime to be one of them, but the most rewarding aspect is seeing my journey through my six-year-old daughter Delta's eyes; she's growing up believing that flying to space is just another thing moms do, and she knows not even the sky is a limit on her dreams.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
I've always said that a superpower of mine is my willingness to be vulnerable, to fail publicly, and to shout my dreams out loud into the universe.
Dr. Christina Rahm
Nashville, TN
DRC Ventures and The Root Brands
CEO, Chairman, Author, Mother, and Global Scientist
TheRootBrands.com, Instagram.com/DrChristinaRahm
MY BUSINESS:
I run health and wellness companies as the CEO and Chairman of the board of DRC Ventures and The Root Brands. I also have subsidiaries under DRC that are lifestyle brands involving clothing, skincare, and animal care products. I am developing manufacturing to facilitate the seamless execution of all brands and to protect the patents I have invented.
MOST REWARDING:
The most rewarding aspect is working with global leaders on solutions that make this world a better place to live.
SECRET TO MY SUCCESS:
I have a strong belief in God and the fortitude and wisdom to lean on myself, my friends, and my family. Due to this, I don’t quit. I keep going, even in adversity.