Bonus: If you’ve ever dreamed of turning a personal story into a product — this episode is for you. I’m joined by Kristan Kelly, CEO and founder of Shade Rayz Sunscreen: a mission-driven brand born from her journey as a breast cancer survivor and Latina entrepreneur. In this mentorship-focused conversation, Kristan shares the real story of building her company from the ground up, how she tapped into her local community for early support, the marketing strategies that have worked, and the mindset shifts that help first-time founders succeed.

Key Takeaways:

// How to turn a personal journey into a product and brand with purpose

• // The early decisions that shaped Shade Rayz Sunscreen’s success

• // How Kristan approached building brand identity and messaging (luxury + water safety + everyday use)

• // The power of leveraging your school and local community for support and connections

• // Tips for how to make the ask when building your network

• // Encouragement for women and young entrepreneurs breaking into wellness and consumer products

  Learn more about Shade Rayz: Website | Instagram

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