We had the good fortune of connecting with Evalee Gertz and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Evalee, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I think I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Before I started Sia Silk I created and produced a cabaret show called La Vie Noire, which I ran for a while before shutting down in 2018 to pursue my dream of wanderlust. I traveled abroad for a little over a year and had just come back to the states and was gearing up to go on tour with the band, In This Moment, when the pandemic hit. Since I hadn’t lived in the states the year prior I didn’t qualify for any unemployment or governmental help. It was a really tough time financially. I think that was when I decided I needed to start my own business that I could run and grow from my computer and have more control over my finances.
I’ve always used a sleep mask. There are so many benefits to sleeping in total darkness, which can be difficult to achieve, especially when traveling. Masks that aren’t made from silk always made me break out, not to mention the amazing anti-aging and skin nourishing qualities of silk, but I couldn’t find a silk mask that actually worked for me. I have naturally long lashes and the traditional silk masks smashed them and were uncomfortable. The few silk masks with contouring didn’t have deep enough eye cups, plus none of them fit well or were adjustable, so I decided to try to fill that hole in the market and elevate the silk sleep mask game by designing the Sia Silk sleep mask. It has the deepest eye cups of any silk sleep mask and it’s unique shape and adjustable strap make it the best fitting and most comfortable mask I’ve ever used, and I have tried a lot of masks!
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are a woman owned small business on a mission to improve people’s sleep while nourishing their skin and protecting their lashes.
In today’s fast-paced world, a good night’s sleep is often a luxury that we can’t afford to miss. Sleep is not just about rest; it’s an essential pillar of overall well-being. It’s during these precious hours of slumber that our bodies rejuvenate, repair, and recharge. But the way you sleep can significantly impact not only your rest but also your appearance and overall health. Good sleep quality can majorly affect anti-aging as well as heart health, obesity levels and even depression. Plus silk has been shown to speed up cell turn over in skin so can also combat the effects of again.
Our one of a kind design offers deeper eye cups, extra padding, larger shape, ergonomic nose and adjustable strap for the best fitting, most comfort and most light blocking capabilities. And it’s made from the highest quality 100% mulberry silk.
We just launched in June of 2023 and predominately sell online but we are also expanding into stores now and are very excited to for what’s on the horizon! It’s challenging starting a new business but it has been really fun, excited and scary to watch it grow so quickly!
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I lived in Los Feliz and Silverlake for over a decade so definitely would have to go on a hike through Griffith Park, late night meal at Fred 62’s. Brunch at Cafe Figaro then probably downtown to bar hop. I actually worked in the bar industry for years before starting Sia Silk and worked at a number of the downtown bars so we’d have to go make the rounds! I don’t know, there are so many good spots, Cafe Stella, Thirsty Crow… too many to name.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been so many people and things that have inspired me and helped guide me in so many ways to become the woman I am today, it’s impossible to narrow it down here.
There is an organization I’m apart of called Braintrust which creates a space and support system for woman entrepreneurs to grow and scale their businesses. It’s so amazing to see women supporting women this way. Did you know that less than 2% of investment funding for businesses goes to women? And somewhere around 40% of all businesses are started and run by women. It’s amazing how disproportionate the opportunities for men and women are. So it’s particularly inspiring to see organizations like this that allow women to pull each other up and share the wealth of knowledge and experience we all have to offer.
Website: www.siasilk.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siasilk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiaSilksleepwear
Image Credits
All the photos were taken by Evalee Gertz