Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now. 

When I reflect on my background and how I came to be where I am right now—it is a list of defining moments and people. My family, my early fascination for science, art, travel and nature all had an influence. It was during my university research years that I realized I could blend my passions, research innovative ways to create more natural products and start a business that gives back to the community while inspiring others.  

What are you passionate about professionally and personally, and why? 

Professionally, I am driven by research and innovation. With technology, data and experiments, I am able to focus on creating more natural products. I enjoy collaborating with other professionals in the industry and learning from other’s best practices. Personally, I have a strong passion for linguistics, art (ancient, rococo and contemporary), lyric poetry, culture and travel, meditation, photography, human rights issues and health and wellness education. I’m passionate about helping other people achieve success and figuring out what fulfills them.  

What is your superpower? 

My ability to connect with people of all ages, backgrounds and different walks of life. I believe all human interactions, no matter how insignificant, shape us into better people. Sharing life experiences can bring people closer, help us feel less alone in life and develop trust and community. Connecting with people can give us invaluable insight and I always admire learning from others. 

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment, either professionally or personally? 

Being resilient despite all the challenges we faced starting a business during the pandemic. To make sure we only use ingredients that are sustainably sourced, we only work with American suppliers to have better quality control of our raw materials, preserving all natural resources and working with other local artists has been rewarding. Personally, I am proud that we dedicate a percentage of our sales to support female entrepreneurs, victims of war, mental-health and other local charitable causes. 

Who has been the biggest influence in your life? 

My family, friends and mentors have all made an impact in my life in one way or another—I will always acknowledge their influence for any [of my] success. If it wasn’t for my parents’ sacrifices—leaving their home country, families and everything they have known to provide a better life for us—I don’t think I would have had the experiences or opportunities [I have] today. I admire the strength, dreams and vision they had for themselves and for us. 

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years? 

In the future I hope to have my own family, continue pursuing projects that I am passionate about and be more involved in the community. I hope that I can have a great work-life balance as I have many business ideas I would like to start as well. For Wild Aspen, we want to continue to grow and create more jobs where people can express their creativity every day. 

What piece(s) of advice would you give to your 18-year-old self? 

Don’t be afraid to fail and find the courage to face your fears. Always make time for the people you love and surround yourself with people who inspire and enrich your life. Don’t waste time or energy stressing over situations out of your control. Learn to say no more and trust that it is going to be okay no matter how many times you start over as long as you have defined your goals. 

What do you enjoy doing in your downtime? 

Spending quality time in nature with family, friends and my dog Winnie. I love exploring new towns and photographing things that inspire me. I enjoy traveling and immersing myself with the local culture, the people and trying their local cuisine. I practice meditation, horseback riding, swimming, painting, cooking and learning new languages. 

What would you like to give back to your community? 

At Wild Aspen, a percentage of proceeds are donated to our local community and organizations close to our hearts. Soon, I hope to organize a fundraising event in Northern Colorado where people can come together to create their own scents and candles while raising awareness to local issues in our community. I also want to volunteer in programs where I can help people navigate their passions into careers that fulfill them and share my support.