International Women’s Day (March 8) honors the successes of women around the world. To celebrate this global holiday, we’re spotlighting women entrepreneurs in our own backyard. Here are a handful of local girl bosses to know.
Sharon Skaar and Erin Dodd, TreCeuticals founders
In 2019, retired friends Sharon Skaar and Erin Dodd were sharing wine around a campfire in Scottsdale. After discussing their frustration with the unrealistic standards of the skincare industry, their conversation quickly turned from jotting ideas on a cocktail napkin into a company. The pair’s blend of both creative and critical thinking (Skaar is a former Wall Street banker and Dodd has a background in fashion) blossomed into the women-owned and women-empowering skincare company TreCeuticals.
Lateka Curtis and Cheyanne James, Pretty Precise Step Team founders
This mother-daughter duo took Arizona by storm when they founded the nonprofit Pretty Precise Step Team in 2020. Curtis and James wanted to connect with minority at-risk youth from their community and allow them to express themselves through the power of dance. Three years later, the nationally recognized dance and step team has tripled in size and travels regularly to compete and perform. Outside of the studio, the team is quick to connect Pretty Precise members with academic or mental health help as needed. One step at a time, Curtis and James are working to provide a safe environment and sisterhood within South Phoenix.
Rachel Eskandari, Pink Puddle Studio founder
Phoenix artist Rachel Eskandari’s world is swimming in color and she does her best to paint everyone else’s that way, too. Her desire to empower people through creativity led her to open Pink Puddle Studio where she not only sells her watercolor prints, stickers, ornaments and more but also teaches workshops and paints murals locally. She also recently authored her first book, Watercolor Botanical Garden: A Modern Approach to Painting Bold Flowers, Plants, and Cacti.
Marvina Thomas, Fourtwenty Collections CEO
Marvina Thomas initially founded Fourtwenty Collections as a way to provide basic toiletries to those in need, but as a mother and former nurse, she is always learning new ways to promote a healthy body and mind. Now, she infuses CBD and THC into her skin care products which fuel Fourtwenty Collections’ Buy & Give program, which is dedicated to providing personal necessities and healthcare assistance alongside local nonprofit organizations like Start Living Recovery Home.
Sarah Benken Foushee, The KNOW Women founder
Sarah Benken Foushee is on a mission to provide space for female leaders to gather, collaborate and be celebrated for their successes. In 2017, Benken Foushee founded The KNOW Women, an organization dedicated to bringing more attention to women doing remarkable things throughout the Valley. Today, The KNOW Women is within multiple markets and includes KNOW Cares — a non-profit centered around empowering, educating and raising funds for women and youth worldwide.
Dana Dumas, SugarJam the Southern Kitchen chef-owner
Dana Dumas brings the South to Phoenix at SugarJam, her restaurant, bakery and bar in North Scottsdale. Over the past 12 years, Dumas has built the business up from a small at-home bakery to the hot brunch spot it is today.
Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt, Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market founders
When Coley Arnold and Lindsey Holt met, they realized almost immediately that they had two things in common — they were both new mothers and loved to look for vintage treasures. After some encouragement from their families, they co-founded Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market. What began in a neighbor’s backyard has grown into an annual three-day market. Both Holt and Arnold are excited to announce several new projects in the coming months as they continue to share their love for all things rugged, rusty and handmade.
Denise Walsh, The Beauty Boss founder
Denise Walsh, aka The Beauty Boss, is a registered nurse who is passionate about self-love. She founded The Beauty Boss to help her patients maintain skin health with high-quality, anti-aging aesthetic injectables including Botox/Dysport, Kybella, PDO threading and PRP.
