Unique Gifts from Bruin-Owned Businesses

Shopping for the perfect gift can be a challenge, especially during the holidays. Why not support fellow Bruins by choosing unique gifts from UCLA-affiliated businesses? Here's a curated selection of Bruin-owned companies offering a diverse range of products and services.

Enhancing Air Quality

Alen Corporation, founded in 2004 and based in Los Angeles, focuses on improving quality of life through its air purifiers. The company dedicates its time, energy, and resources to perfecting its products. One customer shared their experience: "My husband is allergic to EVERYTHING! He takes 10-12 allergy pills daily… So, last resort, I purchased this air purifier…and within hours he could really tell the difference…The first night was the first time in many years that he slept without pills and could breathe through his nose."

Personalized Beverages for Every Occasion

Eliqs offers personalized, custom-branded beverages for any event. Customers can select from pre-set templates or collaborate with the in-house design team to create a custom design. The beverage selection includes craft beer, wine, hard seltzer, and water. One satisfied customer raved, "Such an awesome gift! I've ordered a couple of times from Eliqs, both for birthday gifts… These are such a unique and thoughtful gift for a beer lover in your life."

Wellness and Safe Products

Honest Company, co-founded by Brian Sung Lee, J.D. ʼ96, and Christopher Gavigan, M.A., is a wellness brand committed to empowering people to live happy, healthy lives. The Honest Company provides safe products, simple solutions, and clear information. A customer with sensitive skin shared, "My skin hasn’t felt this smooth and glowy in a long time" after using Honest Company products.

Safe and Stylish Products for Children

Lollaland, founded by Mark Lim, MBA ʼ08, and Hanna Lim, M.Ed., creates safe, stylish, and smart products for children and families. Their award-winning products are premium quality and beautifully packaged. One parent raved about their cups: "These cups are great…Easy to disassemble and throw in the dishwasher…Durable…Great customer service. I can’t rave about these cups enough."

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Energy, Mental Clarity, and Focus

MANA offers a herbal proprietary blend designed to replenish energy, mental clarity, and focus without the jitters or crash. One user shared, "MANA is great! I have used it for a while now and I have found it to be better than coffee or energy drinks… It’s a subtle energy you likely won’t really notice but you no longer feel tired or like falling asleep."

Breakout Care for Diverse Skin

This company is creating the next generation of breakout care, focusing on the prevention and repair of hyperpigmentation and breakouts. Their routines use clean-ical ingredients. One reviewer shared, "I love the scent of the Super Smoothie Cleanser…My skin was left feeling smooth after using it. The best part is that it didn’t dry out my skin."

Hand-Crafted Artisanal Coffee

Caffe Luxxe, established in 2006, champions hand-crafted artisanal espresso and brewed coffee. They are dedicated to serving the best individually crafted beverages, earning accolades from customers and journalists alike. One coffee lover exclaimed, "Being Italian, coffee, lattes and expresso are my primary beverage…It was delicious! Great aroma, body, fragrance, smooth and not bitter…For a moment, I was transported to my favorite cafe in Rome."

The Power of Scent and Storytelling

Nicknamed “Matteo,” this Southern California native creates products with purpose. Matteo became America's youngest Black male perfumer and youngest Latino perfumer. He uses the power of scent to connect with others through storytelling. One reviewer described his fragrance: "I am submerged in orange light and swirled around in a circle of spicy fire…Reasonably priced [at] $95, it’s the debut fragrance of MATTEO PARFUMS."

Excellence Expressed in Tequila

Tequila Cabal is a multi-award-winning tequila with roots tracing back to 1911. The horsehead bottle design is derived from the Charreria and horse culture in Jalisco. A tequila connoisseur shared, "Tequila Cabal is a perfect example of excellence expressed in liquid form…the blanco was extraordinary, easily one of the finest tequilas I have ever tasted…the reposado, añejo and extra-añejo were pure pleasure."

Gemstones and STEM Education

Gem Surprise Box is a gemstone and mineral subscription service that focuses on STEM education for both adults and children. Founded by Gemological Institute of America and UCLA alumni, the service aims to introduce the world to the science of mineralogy and spark interest in the geosciences. Every box is packaged with care in a sustainably sourced gift box.

Homemade Dishes from Local Cooks

Shef is an online marketplace connecting customers with local, food safety-certified cooks who sell homemade dishes. It aims to rebuild the food system and redefine participation in the food economy. One customer raved, "I just ate this a few minutes ago and it changed my life. It's as good as going to your Pakistani aunty's house for dinner…I am 200% satisfied with Shef. Food was awesome."

Custom and DIY Picture Framing

The Framer's Workshop is a family-run custom and do-it-yourself picture framing shop serving the San Francisco Bay Area since 1977. They specialize in fine custom framing, photo restoration, and large format printing. One long-time customer shared, "I've been a customer of The Framer's Workshop for over 15 years now and only have high, high praise for them…They'll work with your budget and provide options without any guff or shaming."

Expressing Yourself Through Storytelling

Baobabooks provides a platform for expressing yourself through storytelling, especially when dealing with difficult experiences like skin flare-ups. Users can create characters, write fictional stories, or make poems. The platform is both GDPR and COPPA compliant, ensuring safety and privacy.

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