Layla's Delicacies
Holiday shopping is upon us, but luckily, Columbia Business School alumni founders have been hard at work all year creating just the right products for everyone on your list. From candles and caviar to luxe pet carriers and throw pillows, these gifts are sure to please everyone—from family and friends to coworkers and pups alike. Read on for more about these alumni-founded companies and avoid the last-minute shopping rush!
Self-Care
Taza
Winter can be harsh on both our spirits and our skin. Taza, an Ayurvedic beauty brand founded by Amy Engel ’13 and Divya Viswanathan ’13, is designed to combat all of the modern-day skin stressors we’re exposed to and is the perfect present for the wellness junkie in your life. The line offers a three-step routine that includes a facial oil, body oil, and a digestive supplement to heal from head to toe. (Starting at $60; tazaayurveda.com)
Tushy
Everyone on your shopping list uses the bathroom, so why not get them a gift that makes their daily routine a little more luxurious? TUSHY, founded by Jason Ojalvo ’98, sells clip-on bidets to upgrade your home toilet. The bidets can be easily installed in 10 minutes and they connect directly to your toilet’s clean water supply; plus, they come in a large variety of colors and finishes to match any home aesthetic. TUSHY also sells bathroom accessories, including bamboo toilet paper and a towel set. (Starting at $79; hellotushy.com)
Home Decor
Pepper Home
’Tis the season to stay in and decorate, so give someone you love the gift of interior design to make your apartment or home a little more beautiful. Pepper, founded by Kelsey Brown ’17 and Erin Banta ’17, creates pillows, curtains, table linens, and throws in original patterns that have a hand-painted feel. Purchase a single piece for a chic accent or a pre-matched bundle of table-linen sets for hosting made simple. (Starting at $28; pepper-home.com)
L’or de Seraphine
Nothing says cozy quite like a candle, and L’or de Seraphine elevates this household favorite with unique ceramic holders in a variety of colorful designs. Co-founded by Dara Weiss ’18 with her sister, Laina, the brand offers scents such as Ares, with notes of sage and cedarwood, and Poppy, which smells like holly berry and cardamom. For the perfect winter gift, opt for the holiday gift set, which includes a trio of beautiful, festively scented candles to burn until spring comes. (Starting at $18; lordeseraphine.com)
Food
Pearl Street Caviar
Know someone with a refined palate whom you want to wow? Give them a taste of luxury with a tin of caviar. Founded by Craig Page ’18, Pearl Street Caviar is bringing this delicacy to the masses with reasonably priced caviar. The brand offers two varieties: Siberian Select, which has a complex taste and comes from naturally raised Siberian sturgeon, or Kelgua, from carnivorous sturgeon, which is richly flavored and slightly sweet. You can purchase a single tin or spring for a gift package complete with a metal case, tin opener, mother-of-pearl spoon, an ice pack, and of course, caviar. (Starting at $25; pearlstreetcaviar.com)
Layla’s Delicacies
When in doubt, buy sweets. Hatem Berrima ’16 was inspired to start her company, Layla’s Delicacies, after summer visits with her grandmother in Tunisia and time spent in the Mediterranean learning from local chefs. The company offers a variety of gift boxes filled with assorted Mediterranean treats such as baklava and stuffed dates. The beautifully created delicacies, with flavors like pistachio, almond, and rosewater, are perfect for any occasion. There are also larger order options that make hosting a party or ordering corporate gifts a breeze. (Starting at $11; laylasdelicacies.com)
Keyboard Waffle Iron
For the kid – or kid at heart – who likes to have fun with food, look no further than the Keyboard Waffle Iron produced by Michael Frank ’11. This stove-top waffle iron makes fluffy waffles shaped like computer keyboards in just one flip. It’s sure to bring some laughs to the kitchen this winter. ($69; thekeyboardwaffleiron.com)
Accessories
Rowan
If you have an adolescent in your life who is looking to get their ears pierced for the first time or is new to wearing earrings, your next gift should come from Rowan. Founded by Louisa Schneider ’06, Rowan offers monthly earring subscription boxes packed with a new pair of studs each month as well as other fun surprises. Rowan even offers at-home piercings by registered nurses in select states. (Starting at $34; heyrowan.com)
Shaya
For the person on your list who loves their dog as much as they love their designer purse, Shaya, founded by Davina Farahi ’18, is the perfect gift. From leather pet carriers to hold a beloved pup during a long commute, to clean-up purses meant for picking up after your furry friend in style, Shaya has thought of it all. (Starting at $725; shayapets.com)
