Since a family visit to Provence, France, Paloma has been intrigued by the use
of lavender. When Paloma was in 8th grade, her family took a trip to France and witnessed the
growth of lavender. As soon as they returned to their California home, there was a drought. Her
parents knew that lavender could replace their grass lawn, and be sustainable through the drought.
With no gardening experience, the journey began.
Soon after planting, her parents planned a picking party for family and friends. Paloma wanted to
make party favors, so she made everybody lavender soap! It was a hit! The opportunity came for
Paloma to enroll in Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA), an international program for teens
interested in entrepreneurship. This gave Paloma the skills and tools to help her launch her own
business, Lavande de la Paloma (Paloma’s Lavender in Spanish).
Paloma says, “The main thing I gained from YEA was public speaking skills.” She started off
nervous speaking to groups, but is now comfortable with her pitch and speaking in front of large
groups of people.
Among many cool things about her business, one includes her profit donation. 100% of the profit made
from lavender soaps, sachets, necklaces, and candy gets donated to Hope 4 Kids International.
They deliver vitamins to kids and families in third-world countries like Guatemala and the
Philippines. Paloma contacted the doctor running the organization in her city, and since then she’s
donated over 700 bottles of vitamins! Buy a soap bar, donate to a great cause!
Paloma won her local YEA competition when she was 15. Now she is 17, and next year she’ll be off
to college! Paloma wants to encourage people by reminding them, “It’s ok to fail! In this lavender
business, I have failed a bunch of times.” She plans to study entrepreneurship and stay involved
with similar groups, clubs, and communities.
Paloma won her local YEA competition when she was 15. Now she is 17, and next year she’ll be off to college! Paloma wants to encourage people by reminding them, “It’s ok to fail! In this lavender business, I have failed a bunch of times.” She plans to study entrepreneurship and stay involved with similar groups, clubs, and communities.
Lavande de la Paloma currently sells soap bars (with custom covers), sachets (bags of lavender), spray, essential oil, lavandedibles (gummy worms covered in lavender or mango covered in lavender & chocolate), as well as bouquets.
Check out her site here!