Member Stories
Strive Skincare
Angel Olavarria, founder and cosmetic chemist of Strive, is bringing New York skincare that uses active ingredients at clinically proven concentrations—something almost no other men’s brand offers.
He began formulating over a decade ago to tackle his own dark circles, but soon discovered the broader potential of skincare. What started as a personal need grew into a full-blown passion. For Angel, skincare transformed his confidence and appearance, and now he hopes to bring that same confidence to others.
As a Latinx business owner in the skincare industry, Angel has seen firsthand how representation is lacking. “Early on, I had to work harder to build credibility and visibility, especially in spaces where the default image of a skincare founder didn’t look like me,” he explains. Over time, by focusing on results and building authentic connections, he’s turned that challenge into a strength that sets Strive apart.
As he puts it, he hopes to “inspire our community to pursue their own ideas with confidence, even in industries where we’re underrepresented.” This vision is at the heart of what he wants to give back to the Latinx community—representation, empowerment, and the belief that their voices belong everywhere.
Next for Strive is expanding its impact. Angel plans to offer more targeted solutions for specific skin concerns, partner with retailers to make products more accessible, and create educational resources that help men navigate skincare with confidence.
“Keep moving forward little by little, and you’ll find that each step makes the next one clearer,” Angel says. It’s a reminder that progress doesn’t need to be overwhelming—small, steady steps can lead to big change.