Today we’d like to introduce you to Christa Gonzalez.
Hi Christa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I moved to San Diego 15 years ago on a risk and for a different life. I worked at random office jobs throughout the years before I got my Esthetician license in 2012. I did an internship and reignited my love for all things related to beauty. I didn’t realize how much my passion for skin and self-care would play out in my life. I only did the Esthetician route for a little bit. It was hard to sit and wait for a client to walk in when bills never stopped coming in, so I went back to doing random office jobs. While doing those office jobs I still lightly continued my education in the Esthetics field. Then Covid happened and that’s when my spiritual awakening journey happened. To see so much death and uncertainty at such a tragic time triggered me to realize we only get one life, so why not live life on my terms? I always knew I wanted a business, let alone a beauty business, so I started researching how to get started. I was able to pull some money together and start building my business. My vision for Corazon by Christa Gonzalez was to use clean ingredients, dark packaging to protect the formulas from the sun’s harmful rays, an e-commerce store, and to be women-owned! The logo I have is two of my tattoos, the first being the heart with musical notes. I got that when I was 19 and designed it with an old friend of mine. My second tattoo I have says “Sigue a tu Corazon” which means follow your heart in Spanish and it fits perfectly with my other tattoo to use as my logo. I feel incredibly lucky to have such a meaningful business that is so deeply intertwined with my past, while I create it now, and is for the future. I truly believe this is my purpose in life, and life is a journey, not always the prettiest but when you get to where you want to be it’s amazing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some of the struggles along the way that I’ve encountered are trial and error when building what you want. Building prototypes, and finding manufacturers that have the same vision as you is tricky. Working at a sustainable pace and being patient is hard work! Having patience is a skill set all on its own.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of creating my business and pushing through. The packaging I created for my products is really pretty. It’s UV glass so it looks black but in full sunlight looks more like a blue-violet color, and by a window, you see the UV light rays with the white printing it’s really pretty. What I created is beyond my expectations of what I thought I could put together, so it’s been an exciting journey. I believe deeply that what I created is so different and unique from anything out there in the beauty industry and at an affordable price.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is when I was in gymnastics. I loved it because it taught me to be active, the importance of stretching, being creative, and most importantly my imagination. Being a gymnast allowed me to challenge myself, apply myself to what I was accomplishing at that moment, and self-discipline. I loved going there and being a free spirit.
Pricing:
- Enzyme AHA Mask $16
- Rosehip Seed Oil $15.50
- Sea Mineral Mist $24
- Sustainable Brush Cleaners $15 & $15.50
Contact Info:
- Website: Corazonbycg.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corazonbycg
Image Credits
Image photos are by Rob Andrew photography
