Entrepreneur in Residence

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Cristina Wilson’s first business endeavor was a coffee cart she owned with her sister Michelle in college which quickly expanded to multiple locations. After years of 4 a.m. shifts while also putting herself through school, she and her twin graduated from Sonoma State University, sold their coffee cart, and used the money they made to open their first Ooh La Luxe store in downtown Petaluma. After their first successful year, they expanded by moving their shop to a new space more than four times the size of their first one. Next, they opened another store in the Santa Rosa Mall, followed shortly thereafter by an online store. Now with almost 10 years in business, Ooh La Luxe has three locations, a thriving web store, 19 employees, and a loyal customer following. Co-owner Cristina is focused on buying, developing merchandising ideas and concepts, and managing operations and logistics. Co-owner Michelle uses her expertise as marketing director to do everything from photoshoots to influencer scheduling and all things Instagram.