Bruin-Owned Businesses: Gift Ideas 4

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tuck on what to give a certain someone for the holidays? These Bruin-owned businesses may have just the right present for that hard-to-shop-for friend. From beauty products to fitness classes to lifestyle apparel, peruse these last minute gift ideas and support a Bruin business.

P.M. Jacoy Menswear

Owner: Tony Jacoy ʼ74

Location: 2650 Mission St. #104, San Marino, CA 91108

Phone: 626-799-4600

Website: https://www.pmjacoy.com

Email: sales@pmjacoy.com

Social: @pmjacoymenswear

About:

P.M. Jacoy Menswear opened in 1985 in San Marino's trendy Mission Street shopping district. Decades later, P.M. Jacoy is considered to be a benchmark in men's clothes in the San Gabriel Valley. They offer a wide variety of quality men's clothing and accessories in-store while also specializing in custom suits, sports coats, pants and shirts. A full-service tailor shop is conveniently located onsite to offer the perfect fit for all P.M. Jacoy purchases as well as clothing purchased elsewhere.

Review:

“The quality of menswear at P.M. Jacoy is superior to any tailor or suit store. I was immediately impressed as a first-time customer. Tony is professional, knowledgeable and courteous. He fit me into the proper sports coat and pants for my wedding. More importantly, he listened to me as a customer and told me what look I wanted as a groom. My beautiful bride was impressed and pleased by Tony's recommendation. There is also great activewear at the shop. I especially recommend the Toes on the Nose activewear attire.” — Daryl T.

The Soap Kitchen

Owner: Dali Yu ʼ93

Services: E-Commerce

Phone: 626-396-9996

Website: https://www.thesoapkitchen.com

Social: @thesoapkitchen

About:

We're mother/daughter soap chefs raising the bar by thinking outside the bottle. Plastic-free since 2003, we've been serving fresh, all-natural olive oil soap, handmade from scratch in Old Pasadena and featured on Huell Howser's California's Gold. Our soaps are amazing! Rest assured that we use only the finest essential oils and herbs to add a mild scent to our soaps, so the end product is hydrating for the skin, healthy for the body and never overwhelming to the nose. Here's your chance to experience pure indulgence with zero guilt.

Review:

“I am not a bar soap person so I will leave those reviews to those that are. I am, however, a user of shower and skin products and I really like those I have bought from The Soap Kitchen. I have used the Shower Steamers. Both the Lavender for relaxing and Breathe for helping with, yes, breathing (maybe you have a head cold) to other items like Rose Hip Seed Oil for your skin and So Fresh, So Clean which removes makeup and helps your skin feel great. Even the candles are nice. I highly recommend them. Give them a try. I'm sure you will like them.” — Cherri O.

5 Point Yoga

Owner: Ted McDonald ʼ96

Location: 23410 Civic Center Way, Suite E-3, Malibu, CA 90265

Phone: 424-259-2628

Website: https://5pointyoga.com

Email: questions@5pointyoga.com

Social: @5pointyoga

About:

5 Point Yoga is Malibu's premier yoga and fitness studio offering yoga, mat pilates, dance, fitness and aerial classes! Located at the Malibu Country Mart. Our 5-Point Plan: physical fitness, nutrition, mental wellness, community, environment.

Review: “I love this yoga studio. And when I am at other yoga studios in Northern California I often wish I was back at 5 Points. This is such a wonderful addition to the Malibu Country Mart because it's a place not focused on consumerism and it breeds community! The 5 points it's named after are mental wellness, physical fitness, nutrition, community and environment. Environment?! How exciting for this tree-hugging chick.” — Jen R.

Kawaii Craft Shop

Owner: Maryn Masumiya ʼ06 

Services: E-Commerce

Website: https://kawaiicraftshop.com

Email: kawaiicraftlady@gmail.com

Social: @kawaiicraftlady

About:

Created by Maryn, the Kawaii Craft Shop’s mission is to spread joy through handmade kawaii ("cute") creations. It’s the perfect spot to embrace your sparkly, unicorn-loving side and discover special gifts for yourself or loved ones. It's the little things that brighten our days, and these creations aim to bring that extra bit of happiness into yours. Thank you for supporting small and handmade businesses - your support is what keeps the creativity flowing!

Review:

“In love with Tiffany's mystery bundles! I ordered in the past and I loved my experience. This time I asked for items that would fit a woman in her mid-20s, and she didn't disappoint. I can't wait to use them and make my adult life cuter.” — Gabriella

Wehitpan Beauty

Owner: Sandra Rhee ʼ17

Services: E-Commerce

Phone: 661-544-8726

Website: https://wehitpan.com

Email: hello@wehitpan.com

Social: @wehitpan

About:

If you're over the usual beauty stores, you've just discovered a game-changer — Wehitpan isn’t your typical beauty retailer. Wehitpan is here to refresh your makeup bag and break a few beauty rules along the way. The mastermind behind it all is Sandra: a dedicated beauty enthusiast, founder and your new beauty insider. She’s scoured every part of the internet —beyond the mainstream sites — to bring you the best dupes, the hottest emerging brands and top products loved by influencers on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram.

Review:

“Absolutely awesome! I have used the Relief Sun Sunscreen every day for two weeks. In the early spring sun, the UV is very damaging. I can put it under my eyes and on my neck. No redness or itching. When I use drugstore products, I will have red patches and itch everywhere I put sunscreen. It's terrible. The Joseon product is creamy, it does not pile up if you put makeup on top. The best product I have ever used. I am 62. I love to garden. Now I can be outside working in the sun without wrapping up like a mummy. It is so much more comfortable.”
— Karen C.

Pickytarian

Owner: Laide Olambiwonnu, M.S. ʼ12

Services: E-Commerce

Phone: 213-537-3994

Website: https://pickytarian.com

Email: hello@pickytarian.com

Social: @pickytarianinc

About:

Pickytarian creates dinnerware products that are beautifully designed, elegant, sturdy, compostable and disposable. Our tableware products are meant for those special occasions where it’s a huge hassle to use fine dinnerware but you are also conscious enough not to use toxic plastic or flimsy paperware. Pickytarian products are made from renewable resources such as bamboo and sugarcane pulp. In addition, we donate 5% of sales to organizations working to alleviate food and shelter insecurities in our various communities.

Review:

“I am so happy that I chose Pickytarian to supply the plates and cutlery for my daughter’s baby shower. The high-quality of the eco-friendly materials, which included the leaf shaped plates and the durable cutlery provided a positive visual appeal to all my guests. The customer service was over the top by the owner. The price was fair and well worth it! I highly recommend doing business with Pickytarian. You will be highly satisfied like I am.” — Adriene B.

Innovative Imprints

Owner: Travis Scott ʼ91

Location: 0861 Kinsbury Ridge Court, San Diego, CA 92130

Phone: 760-798-4804

Website: https://www.innovative-imprints.com/

Email: service@innovative-imprints.com

Social: @innovativeimprints

About:

Innovative Imprints has been a leading supplier of custom promotional products and apparel since 1997. Through our vast network of manufacturing partners, both domestic and overseas, our product line is immense. Innovative Imprints offers hundreds of thousands of unique and customized gifts, incentives, rewards, giveaways (aka, advertising specialties) and more.  We like to say that "we offer everything from pens to polos to portfolios!"

Review:

“I have had the opportunity to work with Mike Scott, Innovative Imprints for many years. His prices always come below other vendors, his professionalism and efficiency are first rate and I can count on him to help me identify creative, practical and trending products that will forever leave an impression on my students, faculty and stakeholders that I work with.” - Sabrina

Daily Work Journal

Owner: Jessica Yen ʼ14

Services: E-Commerce

Phone: 604-923-8152

Website: https://www.dailyworkjournal.com

Email: hello@dailyworkjournal.com

Social: @dailyworkjournal

About:

Meet Daily Work Journal, the company that's here to help you navigate your career in a fulfilling way. Their hero product, also called Daily Work Journal, is a journal notebook that's packed with career coaching worksheets, journal prompts, reflection space and blank note pages. This journal was created by Jessica Yen, a former data analyst turned executive coach who noticed that people were struggling with career fulfillment during the pandemic. She decided to create a tool that could help more people achieve their career goals in a sustainable and mentally healthy way. The journal is designed to assist individuals in gaining confidence in their careers, documenting work accomplishments and navigating work challenges.

Review:

“Before having Daily Work Journal, every time I tried to keep a journal it always ended up being some random journal. This is definitely not the case with DWJ. It’s like a coach guiding me through my monthly, weekly and daily goals and intentions. And the best part, I don’t write random stuff but what is essential for me. I greatly recommend having your own DWJ.” — Aditi K. 

Cuccio Somatology

Owner: Danielle Cuccio ʼ10

Location: 29120 Avenue Paine, Valencia, CA 91355

Phone: 323-863-5041

Website: https://www.cucciosomatology.com

Email: info@cucciosomatology.com

Social: @cucciosomatology

About:

As a celebrity yoga instructor and a licensed esthetician, Danielle learned about the value of achieving balance in one’s personal and professional life and the effects it had on one’s skin and overall glow. This became the foundation for the creation of Cuccio Somatology — a multi-faceted approach to the study of the body and the development of inner and outer beauty through wellness and self-care. Today, Danielle is the CEO of Cuccio Somatology, one of the fastest-growing, women-led beauty businesses, with a global reach of over 120 countries. Her vision is to continue to bring new and innovative self-care products to people’s homes and to define the principles of today’s Wellness category.

Review:

“I never heard of this before but once I smelled it, I was absolutely in love. It goes on the outfits without leaving any type of stain and it smells absolutely fabulous and lasts all day. This was the cutest and sweetest gift. My mother was so delighted and I love sniffing the little one afterwards. We never put it directly on her skin but it was always a mist on clothing and blankets and everything smelled divine. Definitely a good value. It's a nice size bottle also.” — Rina B.

Honeycut

Owner: Darcy Post ʼ84

Location: 2925 College Ave., Suite A2, Costa Mesa CA 92626

Phone: 949-478-1960

Website: https://honeycutofficial.com

Email: honeycutofficial@gmail.com

Social: @honeycutofficial

About:

From the hive, located in Southern California, creative director and owner Darcy Post and her team conceive and curate this contemporary dancewear line. Channeling their obvious love of movement, saltwater and a natural boho beach lifestyle, the collection combines form and function and brings an ever-fresh perspective to the dynamic dance world.

Review:

“Love these pants! These are my new favorite dance pants. I've been wearing them nonstop at class and conventions. They stand out in crowded convention classes and are so comfy and versatile with the snaps. Honeycut is the best and the customer service is so superior.”
— Samantha

Dreamy Vegan

Owner: Tanisha Pitts ʼ07

Services: E-Commerce

Phone: 562-450-3334

Website: https://dreamyvegan.com

Email: hello@dreamyvegan.com

Social: @dreamyvegan

About:

Welcome to Dreamy Vegan, where every spoonful whisks you away on a whimsical journey to the sweetest corners of your childhood. Our founder, Tanisha, drew inspiration from the love of her family and the magic of her great-grandmother, Meme, to create a world of delectable dairy-free delights.

Review:

“Loveee dreamy vegan! I honestly was shocked by how good the popsicles tasted. When you hear vegan anything you automatically assume it would taste like something is missing but it’s the exact opposite! The ice cream tastes delicious and the fact that it’s a healthy alternative to regular ice cream is a bonus! I enjoy eating the ice cream without feeling guilty about it. Highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t tried it yet! You won’t be disappointed.” — Bonnie W.

District Clay Center

Owner: Cass Johnson ʼ81, MBA ʼ88

Location: 2414 Douglas St. NE, Washington, DC 20018

Phone: 301-615-1434

Website: https://www.districtclaycenter.com

Email: membership@districtclaycenter.com

Social: @districtclaycenter

About:

Washington, D.C., while rich in many arts and crafts, has lacked a single dedicated ceramic center, until now. Unlike many cities of its size (such as neighboring Philadelphia and Baltimore) there has been no institution that provides the full spectrum of ceramic offerings. In November 2016, the new District Clay Center more than tripled in size to include a ceramic gallery, cultural outreach and education, community and low-income classes, private studio space, regular Master Class workshops, guest resident artists and the largest array of ceramic equipment in the Washington area.

Review:

“I love District Clay Center! I highly recommend it as an introductory pottery studio. It is a large teaching studio (the largest in the area). The teachers are great and knowledgeable. Once you get in a class you are able to drop in on any other scheduled classes to practice. Getting off the waitlist can be a challenge; I recommend signing up for as many waitlists as possible.” — Sam G.

Orange County Guitar Academy

Owner: Payam Larijani ʼ01

Location: 4561 Pinyon Tree Lane, Irvine, CA 92612

Phone: 949-231-2763

Website: https://orangecountyguitaracademy.com

Social: @payam.larijani

About:

Orange County Guitar Academy was founded by Dr. Payam Larijani, who is a current alumni member of the 2019 UCLA Guitar Ensemble directed by Professor Peter Yates. Payam completed his doctorate in musical arts at Claremont Graduate University with an emphasis on classical guitar performance, music history and music recording technology. He also successfully pursued a masterʼs degree in commercial music from CSU Los Angeles and has worked with many leaders of the industry. Today, Payam offers students not just his expertise in playing music, but also his experiences in navigating the ins and outs of the music industry. Payam’s professional skills and passion for teaching are evident in his commitment to academic achievement.

Review:

“Dr. Payam is a wonderful guitar teacher. Both my teenage daughters took lessons with him and he is able to tailor his teaching to their levels since one has musical background and the other didn’t. They both enjoyed their lessons and Dr. Payam often go above and beyond to give them guidance. We appreciate his teaching style and patience very much. His love and passion for music is evident in his lessons as he encourages kids to elevate their appreciation for music through guitar.” — Christina L.

J.N. Shapiro Watches

Owner: Josh Shapiro ʼ08

Services: E-Commerce

Website: https://www.jnshapirowatches.com

Email: info@jnshapirowatches.com

Social: @jnshapiro_watches

About:

Joshua Shapiro is the founder and CEO of J.N. Shapiro Watches, a brand recognized for its dedication to precision and craftsmanship. With a background in education, holding both a bachelor's and a master's degree in U.S. history, Shapiro's journey into watchmaking began with the creation of traditional engine-turned dials for other watchmakers. In 2018, the brand introduced the Infinity Series, showcasing intricate engine-turned dials crafted from traditional and exotic materials. A milestone was reached in December 2021 when J.N. Shapiro Watches produced the first tantalum wristwatch cases made outside of Switzerland for the Infinity Series. The brand's latest creation, The Resurgence, is a fully U.S.-made watch that has been in development for over four years. It represents the culmination of a vision rooted in humble beginnings, aiming to inspire individuals to strive for perfection and appreciate both the journey and the destination.

Review:

“The dial is the star of the show and is amazing. I wonder how cutting into this material was accomplished. There must have been a few accidents and throwing away some meteorite dials may have had to happen. This was accomplished and added some texture to the dial in addition to the natural pattern of the meteorite. This makes this a step up from other meteorite dials in my humble opinion. This combined with the blued hands and chapter ring just completes this amazing dial. The movement is no slouch either. I think Sinn used this movement in one of their watches and it’s beautiful to look at. This is a great watch and J.N. Shapiro deserves a wider audience. This is a brand that I’d love to support sometime in the future.” — Richard B.

The Racket Doctor

Owner: Jan Rashoff Lee ʼ87

Location: 3214 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90039

Phone: 323-663-6601

Website: https://www.racketdoctor.com

Email: info@racketdoctor.com

Social: @racketdoctor

About:

SoCal's undisputed GOAT of legendary tennis shops. Don't get salty, it's a fact. Racket Doctor is the iconic standard-bearer: 50-plus years and still thriving in our original location. Home to certified stringers, Master Racket Technicians (MRTs) and killer selection – it's the winning formula. We don't settle for average and neither should you. And that's why we're still evolving, still pushing the limits...

Review:

“Super great spot. The store feels very welcoming and the staff is very friendly and helpful. They also have very fast service. I made an appointment to get my racket re-strung and shopped while I waited. In and out in under half an hour, no need to drop off my racket and come back to get it. I imagine they probably get busy sometimes so if you want to get in and out, I would call ahead to make an appointment.” - Kevin C.

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