LADYBUG PRODUCTIONS
Cynthia Tucker’s passion for owning a business comes from a long line of family entrepreneurs. With all of this influence and experience among entrepreneurs in her family, it was only fitting she follow in her family’s footsteps. Ladybug Productions (ladybugevents.com) is a company that specializes in the planning and coordination of social events. The company has a list of vendors it works with to help coordinate the functions. The name “ladybug” has special meaning to Cynthia because it was her nickname as a child. The idea to start a company that focuses on event coordinating came from her years at Walt disney. Since then, her idea has blossomed into a well-established company that is known for its credibility among the entertainment industry as well as the private sector. Today the business is moving along the path Cynthia envisioned for it. With last year’s profits exceeding $50,000 she hopes to take the company along a five-year stretch that will guide it into an office space as well as a full-time assistant working alongside her.

OSHUNE BODY CARE
Shani Chen started her the business in 1999, six months after she arrived in LA in hopes of pursuing a career as a television writer. She says “necessity bred invention” because she suffered a case of severe dermatitis because of the dramatic change in climate. She decided to experiment and develop a salve to rub on her skin if her dermatitis ever came back, but it never did. She saved a few paychecks, researched making creams and salves, and started hand-making her body care line on the side after work for friends and family. Oshune Body Care (213-841-2980) specializes in unique products for the body, used by both men and women. The company’s mission is “to nourish, cleanse, and fortify the body” with its all-natural creams, lotions, massage oils and more. The name “Oshune” comes from the Yoruba religion, where Oshune is a deity representing love, sensuality, and prosperity. The business has made $50,000 in sales over the last five years, which is considerable growth from the $2,000 Shani made the first year. Her goal for the future is to have a store of her own, and eventually a chain, similar to “the body shop.” One day, she’d love to be able to go public. She sees her future kids in the kitchen with her, continuing to make hand-made products, and one day -- her grandkids.