Starting a business during COVID

Opera Soap Company Launches in 2020

San Jose, CA -- Sometimes all you need is a pandemic to inspire you to do more.

At least that's what I was thinking when I decided to start another business.

I was stuck in a rut. Students dropped out of my English classes because they had a hard time with the technology. My fitness business pivoted to online. I was too scared to go outside and was struggling trying to find new clients for my graphic design business.

At the time, I was washing my hands so frequently that my skin would get chapped. It reminded me of a soap company I used to work for during college and I thought, "Why can't I?" So read and I researched. Eventually, I donned on my goggles and protective gear, pulled out the lab equipment and started making soaps in the laundry room.

Am I crazy? I think all entrepreneurs are at least a little.

I am very fortunate for the support I've had so far. Friends and family from far and wide leapt at the opportunity to buy some soaps. They are so encouraging and they keep me motivated. Others, such as Mayra Flores, wrote and published an article for me in the local magazine highlighting my woman-owned, minority business.

Without these people, I don't think I would have gotten through the lockdown.

Check out the article Mayra wrote in Eastside Magazine, or buy some soaps at Opera Soap Co.