Editor's Choice

California Business Journal’s Annual Best Holiday Gift Guide ‘23

And the winners are ….

PaddleSmash.com is a lovechild of Pickleball and Spikeball. “However,” says PaddleSmash founder Tim Swindle, “PaddleSmash is easier to play than Spikeball and more portable than Pickleball, allowing for a broader range of ages and genders to participate.”

Outdoor games are the 2nd fastest growing category in all of toys and games and pickleball is the fastest growing sport in North America. “We are riding two very popular trends that we believe we can capitalize on,” Swindle says. “There is a gold rush in the pickleball space right now, but almost everyone is launching paddles, nets or apparel. We feel our unique approach allows us to capitalize on the craze without directly competing against those other brands.”

Starting at $199.99 – paddlesmash.com

 

DNA Vibe

DNA Vibe is the creator of the only wearable light therapy device that’s made in the USA with science-based patent-pending technology that is light-years ahead of conventional light therapy.

Here are just some of the unique features: multiple modes (red, infrared, magnetic and micro-vibration) working in harmony for maximum pain relief and recovery; precision-tuned wavelength stabilization for greatest effect; proportionate diffusion for safer and more even distribution of light; silicone construction for ideal propagation of micro-vibrations; flexible flush-fitting silicone form optimized for every part of your body and for enhanced results at lowest and safest possible output intensity.  97% of users (aka Vibers) report improvement across a wide range of issues, including joint and muscle pain, stiffness, injury or post-operative recovery, neuropathy, arthritis, neck and back pain, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, and more.

DNA Vibe’s newest product, the Jazz Band “Live”, features all four modes of our Jazz Band “Vibe” (red, infrared, magnetic, and micro-vibration), but with the simplicity of push-button operation. No phone application is needed! It’s perfect for anyone desiring the full benefits of all four modes with total simplicity and ease of use. Sophistication and style meet simplicity. Hundreds of professional and Olympic athletes trust DNA Vibe as essential gear for performance and recovery. Their livelihoods depend on staying fit and recovering fast, and they can choose anything they want to get an edge.

 

****************

California Business Journal’s Annual Best Holiday Guide ‘23

And the winners are …

Mystique Misha Psychic Boutique sits in the shadow the majestic mountains of Ashland, and was created with the dream of establishing an enchanting, magical and intimate store that features eclectic product from all over the world – Tibet, Israel and India. Those include crystals, oils, esoteric items, candles, jewelry, and in-house psychics, each offering their own unique approach.

When individuals walk into this tranquil and spellbinding boutique, they’re first reaction is, “Are you kiddin’ me?” It takes you on a magical ride into a different world, a different time and space.

“The store serves those walking the spiritual path. Its online platform has been created with the intention of expanding its light to reach whomever it may beyond physical limitations. At a young age I started my spiritual journey,” Misha says. “As the years went by, I explored crystals tarot Oracle energy work. I came to find out my specialty is manifesting with customized candle work and mojo bags.”

If an individual is interested in manifesting, unblocking unwanted energy, increasing financial gain, or anything to do with love, Mystique Misha’s provides eclectic and individualized candle work and customized mojo bags. “When you tell me the top three things you want to ‘manifest’ or the top three things you’re wanting to eliminate in your life, I get an intuitive sense and feel of what herbs and oils need to go with your candle or mojo bag. All I ask is for your date of birth or the initials of you and the persons the energy will be directed to.”

Wildgrain is the first membership box that delivers bake-from-frozen sourdough breads, fresh pastas, and artisan pastries. All are baked within 25 minutes (no thawing!) and are made with clean ingredients.

Founders Johanna and Ismail Salhi launched Wildgrain because “we were looking for clean and high-quality carbs for our family. We spent months replacing stale supermarket breads, pastas, and pastries with our own homemade recipes. These recipes focused on clean ingredients and artisanal processes that provide important nutritional benefits,” Johanna says.

Founders Johanna and Ismail Salhi of Wildgrain

This was the motivation for starting Wildgrain: “Fermented is better.” A sourdough bread starter is a fermented mixture of flour and water, which also contains colonies of bacteria and yeast. The yeast in sourdough starters is the wild relative of yeast used in commercial bread baking — hence the name Wildgrain. The fermentation process used to make sourdough bread provides so many unique health benefits:

● It digests the majority of the gluten in the bread.
● It contains lactic acid, helping your body absorb more nutrients.
● It contains prebiotics, keeping your gut biome healthy.

CRYSTAL is the original mineral deodorant. All of its deodorants are free of aluminum, parabens and artificial colors. CRYSTAL’s Mineral-Enriched Magnesium Stick Deodorant is an ideal way to transition away from conventional deodorants, as the CBJ staff experienced firsthand. Further, all of us will use CRYSTAL exclusively now.

CRYSTAL comes in four natural scents: Coconut + Vanilla, Charcoal + Tea Tree, Cucumber + Mint and Lavender + Rosemary. The company was established 35 years ago by Jerry Rosenblatt and has risen to new heights in today’s eco-conscious world. Magnesium is a naturally occurring element and a good alternative to aluminum, baking soda and other potentially irritating, ineffective or toxic ingredients. The ingredients are non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free (no testing on animals) and the packaging is eco-friendly.

Scented Designs are hand-poured with American-grown soy wax made with phthalate-free fragrances oils, and infused with essential oils for clean, room-filling fragrance. Each candle purchase supports the fight against climate change with 1% of revenue going to the Planet.

Scented Designs was established in 2016 by Kate De Palma after she had been making candles as a hobby.
“Candles,” she says, “transform space; I’ve always been intrigued by the power of scent. I had bad headaches throughout much of my young adult life — triggered by sulfites and overly-chemical candles. So, I wanted to create scents that people who were sensitive to smells would enjoy.”

She has never gotten a migraine while making candles for Scented Designs and she attributes it to caring about what raw materials go into the candles. wax. No paraffin. No phthalates. Customers have even told De Palma that while other candles have given them headaches, Scented Designs does not.

 

Kate De Palma, CEO, Scented Designs

Love Talla: When Talla Kuperman lost her brother, Amir, to cancer in 2010, “I felt like I had been kicked in the head and in a single moment, my entire world collapsed,” she says.

She wanted to find something special to memorialize her brother daily. She decided on a fingerprint necklace.

“When I made it, I felt a connection; it was something I could wear daily as a reminder of the incredible mark he left on my life. I decided I wanted to share with those yearning to have a unique, meaningful, and stylish piece of forever jewelry representing love, loss, or simple human connection, a celebration of their life.”

Fingerprint necklaces are an unknown concept in the mainstream jewelry world. That launched the brand “Love Talla.”

Amir began experiencing stomach pains in 2009. The family figured the symptoms were too many carne asada fries and cheez-its. “We didn’t take the pain too seriously,” Talla says. “But after a month of rapidly growing pain, it became glaringly clear that something was not right.”

His insides were riddled with tumors and the family was told he only had two weeks to live. “At that moment, I had a responsibility to be the person my brother always was to me. I made the decision to present with my best friend, with whatever time we had together. Though that time was deeply traumatic, there was also beauty in it.

“In the years following Amir’s passing, all I wanted was one more moment. One more laugh. One more hug. My heart was craving to feel my brother physically close to me, just one more time.”

So, when she introduced her fingerprint jewelry, she knew it was the solution. “I needed that daily reminder to hold his hand again. It was only through total emotional surrender that I found the key to my healing journey — feeling the proximity of those I love most close to me, every day. I dove into designing fingerprint jewelry that not only honors and celebrates life’s most precious people and moments, but also looks beautiful. Not gaudy, or boring.”

Today, Tella wear two fingerprint necklaces, one for Amir, “who reminds me to be grateful for his legacy,” and one for the little light of her life, her daughter Lexi, who reminds me to love hard and cherish every minute.”

Talla Kuperman

tomtoc is a tech-savvy, and fashionable design-driven brand that protects digital gear. It’s functionality, protectiveness and custom made. Founded in 2016, tomtoc’s Laptop Sleeve and Shoulder Bag Series were dubbed “Our Favorite Laptop Bag” by Wirecutter. Its Nintendo Switch devices slim cases were named “The Best Slim Case for Nintendo Switch Console” by Wirecutter and won the iMore Choice Prize.

tomtok

Zum Goat’s Milk Bar Soap is a base of goats milk and 100 percent food-grade olive, coconut palm and castor oils for deep hydration that leaves your skin caressably soft. What makes Zum Bar Soap different is the Goats Milk — it’s naturally ultra-moisturizing, naturally balanced for the skin, and naturally homogenized. Goat’s milk is a great mix of “good for you” and “good for nature.”

Unlike commercial soap, goat’s milk soap contains capric, caprylic and caproic acids, and the naturally occurring triglycerides, otherwise known as good fats. These good fats in goat’s milk result in a pH level so close to the pH level of your own skin, it helps keep your skin’s oils in balance. The bars include scents like Anise-Lavender, Cedar, Coffee-Almond, Frankincense & Myrrh, Rosemary, Tangerine-orange and Rosemary-Mint.

Outlaw Wild Life is a product high-quality, handcrafted and unique, but check out the packaging. That’s a by itself – it’s a welcome relief from the standard corporate gifting fare. Wild Life is not regular ol’ soap scents, they’re inspired by real-life: Leather & Sandalwood, Campfire & Gunpowder, Whiskey & Coffee. No chemicals — they’re skin-safe and sold in Whole Foods, certified cruelty-free, and made in a low-waste facility in Sparks, Nevada.

Outlaw

The process of creation of Ron del Barrilito goes as far as 1781 when the Spanish crown bestowed Hacienda Santa in Bayamón, Puerto Rico to the Fernández family. After completing his studies in France, Pedro Fernández returned to Hacienda Santa Ana to craft a rum with a unique aroma and flavor to the standards of royalty. After perfecting his craft in 1880, Ron Del Barrilito was born. The rum is pure character is created by an ancient maceration process where a small portion of the rum is infused with a blend of natural dried fruits in white Oak Barrels, overseen by the legendary master blender Luis Planas. To enhance flavor and value, the company uses harvested rainwater.

Ron del Barrilito

Related Posts

California Business Journal Editorial Staff

Recent Posts

The success story of Innam Dustgir who shined in the World of Darkness and Made a Name for Himself in the World of Technology

Innam Dustgir's journey from freelancing to becoming the CEO of three highly successful IT companies…

4 hours ago

California Energy Grid Has Gone Green – But is That Enough to Meet the Needs of a Warming California

California has a big vision for the future of clean energy. This year, renewable energy…

4 hours ago

Dental Implants: Restoring Your Confidence and Self-Esteem

The loss of a tooth can affect more than just your smile—it can impede on…

4 hours ago

Life Insurance Reimagined: How iCover Leverages Technology for Faster, Simpler Coverage

Imagine a young mother of two suddenly loses her husband in a tragic accident. The…

4 hours ago

Innovative Recruitment Strategies for the Modern Business in California

California, known for its diverse economy and thriving tech industry, is a hotbed for innovation.…

6 hours ago

From Tradition to Innovation: The BAM Violin Case Journey

As a violinist, I can't stress enough how crucial a top-notch case is in the…

12 hours ago