An Inspired Chat with Crystal Cao of Santa Rosa

Crystal Cao shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Crystal, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
There’s really no such thing as a normal day when you’re an entrepreneur, creator, and mom. Every day feels like a balancing act. People sometimes think that running your own brand means you have more freedom than a corporate job, but the truth is, you’re working around the clock.

My day starts after I drop off my daughter at school, and from there it’s go time. Managing production with our lab in Santa Rosa, checking on formulas, responding to customer emails, and coordinating with vendors. I squeeze in moments throughout the day to plan social media posts, run ad campaigns, pack shipments, and organize future markets or events.

There are always partner calls that pop up at unexpected times, and by the evening, I’m usually still thinking about what’s next. It’s a lot to juggle, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Seeing people connect with something you built from scratch makes it all worth it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Before starting Otelier, I spent over 15 years in finance at Morgan Stanley. It was a fast-paced and structured world, but deep down I always had a creative side that wanted to build something more personal and meaningful.

I left my corporate job to create clean, simple skincare that actually works for busy women and moms like me. It all started during motherhood, when I realized how hard it was to find products that fit into real life, something multitasking, effective, and effortless. That’s how Otelier was born.

All of our products are made locally in our Santa Rosa lab and formulated with powerful peptides and active ingredients that deliver real results without the extra steps. More glow, less guesswork.

We’re so grateful to have received our first big recognition as a brand and a few clean beauty awards for our peptide-powered, multitasking formulas. It’s such an amazing feeling to watch something that started as a personal dream evolve into something that inspires others too.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My grandparents had the biggest influence on who I am today. They were incredibly selfless people who taught me empathy and the joy of sharing. My grandfather was a chef, and our home was always filled with family, friends, and food. From a young age, I learned that caring for others and creating moments around the table can bring people together in the most meaningful way.

Another relationship that deeply shaped me is with my husband, John. He’s the one who encouraged me to leave my full-time job to pursue what I truly love. He once told me, “You’re the one with many dreams and my job is to help you fulfill them.” Professionally, he’s been my biggest supporter and strategist, helping me think through the roadmap of my business and how to share what I believe in. Together, we’ve built a brand that speaks to real women and moms like me – busy, passionate, and always striving to do it all.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Stay curious. Take your time to explore, to learn what you love, and to discover what you’re truly good at. Keep an open mind and a healthy sense of curiosity about the world. There will be tough days when it feels like everything is falling apart, but remember it’s never really the end when things don’t go your way. Give yourself permission to pause, breathe, and take a break. You’ll figure it out, I promise.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
We’ve created this distorted image of beauty where even kids are shopping at Sephora at age ten, layering retinols and actives on skin that’s already perfectly healthy.

I think we need to shift the conversation toward education and balance. Clean beauty isn’t just a trend, it’s about understanding what your skin really needs and choosing ingredients that support it, not overwhelm it. My hope is that we can share more of the benefits of clean, thoughtful formulas, especially with the younger generation who are learning about skincare through social media instead of science.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
For a long time, I was doing what I was told to do. I went to good schools, studied hard, and built a career in finance, the kind of path that felt safe and expected, especially as a first-generation immigrant. My parents barely spoke English when they came here, so success in a traditional sense was something we all chased.

But I’m also incredibly grateful that, unlike many Asian parents, mine never forced me into anything I didn’t want to do. They always told me to do what makes me happy. That freedom shaped who I am today and gave me the courage to take risks. My friends often joke that I’m a “serial entrepreneur,” and maybe they’re right. I love creating things with meaning and turning ideas into something real.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.otelierskin.com
• Instagram: @Xtalgra55 @Otelierskin