Meet Kristina A proud Macedonian and powerhouse CPA, Kristina blends numbers with impact, guiding clients and mentoring students with heart. Born and raised on the East Coast, she now calls California home, following a love story that started long-distance and led to forever. At 6’1”, Kristina is as bold in presence as she is in passion. Curious, competitive, and deeply intentional, she’s traveled to over 30 states and 20 countries, and brings that same adventurous spirit to her career and personal life. Redefining the CPA Forget the old-school image of what a CPA “should” look like. Kristina is shaking things up with style, energy, and heart. Her love for accounting came from a deep respect for structure and problem-solving, but her true purpose was unlocked when she stepped into the classroom as an educator. Known for her social personality and strategic mindset, she brings clarity to complexity and helps the next generation feel confident navigating their own careers. Kristina is proof that intelligence and presence go hand in hand, and that success doesn’t need to fit a mold. Boundaries as power In a world that rewards burnout, Kristina’s greatest lesson has been this: you don’t need to do it all to prove your value. Early in her career, she was trusted with high-stakes projects and client-facing roles, but over time, she realized that saying “yes” to everything left her empty. Learning to say “no” with confidence changed everything. It wasn’t weakness, it was wisdom. And the more she protected her time and energy, the more her respect in the workplace grew. That, she says, was transformational. "Being a strong woman means showing up with conviction, supporting others as you rise, and staying grounded in your values." The Brax Ring Moment Kristina’s engagement was nothing short of cinematic. Her now-fiancé, Anthony, proposed in Turks & Caicos, the same destination where they shared their second date during their long-distance chapter. Her ring from Brax is not only stunning—it’s symbolic. A pear-shaped diamond set in mixed metals, it’s a blend of her unique style and their shared story. “It’s personal, timeless, and a daily reminder of our journey together,” she says. Her Form of Self-Care For Kristina, self-care comes with a boarding pass. Travel has always been her way to reset and find perspective. It's also the thread that brought her to California, where love, purpose, and a new chapter awaited. Whether she’s exploring a new city or heading back East, travel remains a way to recharge and reconnect—with herself, and the world around her. Her Advice to Women "Don’t wait for the perfect moment—it rarely exists." she says. Kristina encourages women to speak up, lead boldly, and take up space in every room they enter. Her mantra? Confidence is power. Standing 6’1” barefoot—and still choosing heels—Kristina owns every inch of her presence. It’s not about appearance, but self-assurance. She leads by example, reminding women that what matters most is how you carry yourself. Her Sentimental Pieces While her Brax engagement ring holds deep meaning, Kristina also treasures her grandmother’s rings. Passed down through generations, these heirlooms are symbols of strength, elegance, and legacy. Wearing them makes her feel grounded, and reminds her that she comes from a long line of powerful women. A Legacy in the making Today, Kristina stands proud of the life she’s built with intention. From personal growth to professional success, she’s led with values, vision, and heart. Her legacy? One where people feel seen, supported, and inspired to show up fully as themselves. Whether in the boardroom, classroom, or community, Kristina is leaving a lasting impact, and doing it all with grace.

How reading saved my business, and why I’m writing again now. The Girl Who Wrote I’ve always had a thing for words. As a little girl, I filled diary after diary during quiet moments. Writing made me feel seen, even when no one else was watching. I wrote about everything: what I felt, what I dreamed, what I didn’t know how to say out loud. It was my safe space, my creative space, my home. But life got loud. When I Lost My Words Somewhere along the way, I stopped writing. I stopped reading. I was building a business, juggling dreams and survival, and eventually, I burned out. I felt stuck. I was desperate. I even thought about giving up and closing the doors on everything I had worked for since 2005. But something in me, maybe the girl who once wrote, started searching again. I walked into a bookstore and picked up Rich Dad Poor Dad . That one book led me to another: The E-Myth Revisited . And that book… it cracked something open. It was like I found the answers I didn’t even know how to ask. It saved my business. It helped me see that I wasn’t broken. I just needed the right knowledge, the right mindset, and the right tools. Becoming Her Again That experience changed everything.I started growing again.I started leading with intention.And most importantly, I started believing in myself again. Now, years later, I feel called to return to where it all began — words. Writing. Reflection. Sharing.This is my space to do that. To process, to tell the truth, to pass on the lessons I’ve learned the hard way. This Is Brax Girl This is what Becoming Her  means to me: honoring the girl I was, giving voice to the woman I am, and reaching for the woman I’m still becoming. And this space is for anyone who’s on that same journey. Because being a Brax Girl  means rising, growing, learning, and never giving up on the woman you’re meant to be. It means turning your pain into power, your detours into direction, and your story into strength. Thank you for reading. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s become her, together.

Becoming Her: The Memories of a Brax Girl Last night, my 12-year-old daughter and I decided to watch a movie together. The new Disney Snow White had just come out, and even though she was mildly interested, I was the one excited to rent it. I’ve always loved Disney princess movies, and honestly, even at 47 years old, I still do. There’s something magical about them that takes me back. But as I watched this newer version, something stood out. Unlike the old stories where the princess waits for Prince Charming to rescue her, this one had a twist. She was brave, kind, and courageous on her own. She didn’t wait to be saved. And that hit home for me. I never grew up expecting to be rescued. Maybe it’s because I lost my father at 11, and life required me to grow up fast. From a young age, I learned to choose myself, to take care of things, to move forward no matter what. As I watched the movie, a memory came flooding back from 21 years ago. I was working at a jewelry store in Texas, and my husband and I were preparing to move back to California. On my last day, I asked my manager for a recommendation letter. He kindly wrote a glowing one, but then laughed and said, “Honestly, if I were you, I’d just go to Disneyland and become a Disney princess.” We both laughed. I told him that could be an option — if I couldn’t find a job. Last night, I smiled at that memory. Because I could’ve chosen that path — the safe one, the sweet one. I could’ve stayed home, let my Prince Charming husband take care of me. But I didn’t. I chose to start Brax Jewelers , with no money, no formal experience — just a dream and a lot of grit. It wasn’t easy. But looking back, I’m so proud I didn’t become a Disney princess. I became a Brax Girl instead. Still, I won’t lie. I love dressing up, being graceful, and feeling like royalty. And if I’m being completely honest… I do believe in past lives, and maybe, just maybe, in one of them, I was a real princess. But we’ll save that for another post. To all the amazing women and girls reading this: Choose courage. Choose yourself. Choose your dreams. Because you don’t need a prince to build a castle. You already have the crown.

I opened Brax Jewelers in 2005, inside a small jewelry mart. My rent was $1,000. My startup capital? A $30,000 loan from my mom. That’s how it all began. By 2009, something in me knew I had to take a bigger risk. Without money or a financial safety net, I opened my Newport Beach location. It was terrifying, but I had one thing stronger than fear: a deep passion for design. Soon after, I decided to launch my own jewelry line: AmyA Design. Even though I didn’t have the resources, I invested what little I had into creating displays, developing a logo, and designing 5–6 custom rings. It was one of the most exciting seasons of my life. One of those rings was an emerald piece inspired by nature and flowers — my favorite source of beauty. I poured my heart into that design. Then one day, a customer came in and noticed it. She asked about the ring, but her tone changed quickly. “This isn’t special,” she said. “The diamonds are small.” “It’s kind of ugly.” But she wanted it, and I was desperate to sell. I didn’t believe in myself yet. So I kept lowering the price. She bullied me. I let her. I still remember the moment she walked out with the ring, my soul, for next to nothing. I went to the back of the store and cried. It wasn’t just a sale. It was my voice, my creativity, my courage… discounted and dismissed. After that day, I stopped designing. I told myself: “Maybe I’m not a good designer. Maybe I’m not meant for this.” But the universe had other plans. Slowly, customers started asking me for help designing their engagement rings. They didn’t care that I didn’t have a “line.” They trusted my taste. They valued my intuition. They lit that fire again. And without calling myself a designer, I became one again. Designing started bringing me joy. Real joy. Every time a client picked up their ring, I’d feel proud, fulfilled… like I was doing what I was meant to do. In 2023, after almost 20 years of hiding behind the counter and giving away my worth, I finally stepped into the light. I officially launched my new line: Amy Astaraee Design , inspired by the lotus flower, a symbol of rising through mud into beauty. The truth is: I failed the first time because I didn’t believe in myself. But every setback was a seed. It took me years, but now I stand tall in who I am, a jewelry designer with heart, vision, and legacy. I don’t let anyone bully me anymore.

The Skincare Maven Behind Melach 33 In a fast-paced world where beauty trends come and go, Jennifer McClure  stands out as a beacon of authenticity, empowerment, and purpose . The visionary founder of Melach 33 , Jennifer is not just transforming skincare—she’s transforming lives. Her journey began not in a lab, but on a soul-searching trip to Israel in 2016 , where she discovered a unique formulation combining Dead Sea minerals  with plant-based antioxidant oils . Struggling with sensitive skin herself, Jennifer knew the power of finding products that actually work—and she made it her mission to bring that magic to others. More Than Skin Deep Through research, resilience, and a relentless desire to help , Jennifer created Melach 33’s now-signature Silky Shea Body Butter —a luxurious product that hydrates, soothes inflammation, and restores skin with a calming touch. The feedback from customers has been overwhelming. From arthritis relief  and eczema support  to CBD-powered skin healing , her products are celebrated for their real results—and for the confidence they restore. “For Jennifer, skincare transcended aesthetics—it became a medium to empower and transform lives.” Passion Meets Purpose Jennifer’s success wasn’t overnight. Her road was paved with trial, error, and deep reflection. But instead of seeing failure as a setback, she embraced it as a stepping stone to wisdom . She shares her journey openly, inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs and women everywhere to pursue their passion fearlessly. Her story is one of courage, creativity, and commitment —proof that when you invest in yourself, you create space for others to thrive too. “Confidence is found not in perfection, but in purpose.” Jennifer McClure is the epitome of a Brax Girl : bold, grounded, and glowing from within.