By Jen Mentesana, Entrepreneur, Business Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author, and Podcast Host of Where Passion Meets Purpose

As an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, podcast host, and Certified Professional Coach, my life’s work is to help women break free from the mental and emotional boundaries that keep them from living a life filled with passion, purpose, and meaning. I believe true success happens when your core values, passions, and talents align with the purpose you were born to live.

Through my coaching and speaking work, I’ve met countless women who not only persevere through challenges but also thrive, building businesses and lives rooted in authenticity and impact. This month, I’m honored to spotlight three South Bay women whose stories reflect the courage, creativity, and community spirit it takes to truly thrive.

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Carolina Hartigan – Personal Stylist & Founder of Alandrea Boutique

For over 30 years, Alandrea Boutique has been a cornerstone of Riviera Village, offering more than clothing. It is a place where women feel seen, stylish, and celebrated. Founder Carolina Hartigan built the shop with entrepreneurial grit and heart, selling her car and moving back home to open its doors.

Her success comes from adaptability and deep community ties. “You can’t be stuck in what you think people want. You have to evolve with the times,” she says. That mindset kept the boutique thriving during the pandemic, when she launched a website in just two weeks and personally delivered orders to loyal customers.

Nearly a decade ago, a breast cancer diagnosis reshaped her mission, deepening her commitment to helping women feel confident, especially during life’s hardest seasons. Today, she supports Cancer Support Community South Bay and offers personal styling to clients who need more than what the boutique offers. Her styling services give women the chance to discover pieces that reflect their personality, lifestyle, and confidence, creating a look that goes beyond fashion to empower how they feel each day.

For Carolina, thriving means doing what you love, lifting others up, and showing her two sons that hard work and heart can make anything possible.

Catherine Della Ripa – Della Ripa Photography

For Catherine Della Ripa, photography wasn’t a career she planned, it found her. What began with snapping photos of her children grew into a business that allowed her to blend creativity, flexibility, and purpose.

For over 20 years, Della Ripa Photography has been about more than pictures, it’s about preserving legacies. “You can’t just have the passion alone, you also need the business side in place,” she says. “Find your ideal clients, stay authentic, and get help with what you don’t know so you can focus on what you love.”

Her women’s empowerment series, where she photographed local businesswomen and donated a portion of each session to the Cancer Support Community South Bay, is among her proudest work. A South Bay native, Catherine treasures her deep roots. Four generations of family have lived here, and giving back is part of her legacy.

For Catherine, thriving is measured not in numbers but in joy. “I gauge my success by how much fun I’m having. If it brings me joy, that’s enough,” she says. Her advice is simple: just start. “You don’t have to have it all figured out. The growing is in the doing.”

Of all the images she’s taken, one remains missing: “I wish I had been able to capture my dad with my children before he passed away.” That loss deepened her commitment to helping families hold on to life’s most meaningful memories.

Beth Bowen – From Leap of Faith to International Acclaim

Sometimes the most remarkable journeys begin with a single, uncertain step. For Beth Bowen, a self-taught abstract artist and mother of four now living in Palos Verdes, that step started with a paintbrush, a YouTube tutorial, and a desire for a creative outlet. What began as a therapeutic hobby soon evolved into a whirlwind career that has taken her from her living room to the world’s most prestigious art stages.

With no formal art training, Beth decided to present her work at a Hollywood gallery, and a chance introduction with the owner became a pivotal turning point. Just weeks later, she was showing her work in Miami at Art Basel. Within her first year, she had showcased at major art festivals across the country, exhibited at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris, and created a 16-foot mural commissioned for the 2022 World Cup.

Her work has been featured in Times Square, displayed in luxury destinations like the Four Seasons, and made accessible nationwide through a print distribution deal with HomeGoods and TJ Maxx. In the South Bay, Beth has collaborated with Resin, supported events such as BeachLife Festival, and brought her vibrant style to public spaces across the community. She lives by a simple yet powerful philosophy: “Your life, your canvas.”

Beth embraces the belief that “life is too short and you can literally do anything.” Now, with the rise of AI and new digital tools, she is eager to push her work into fresh territory, blending technology, social media, and art into immersive experiences. If her journey so far is any indication, the next chapter will be as bold and inspiring as her paintings.

Thriving Together

Women who thrive share more than business success. They have an unshakable commitment to living in alignment with their values, creating space for others to shine, and making a lasting impact in their communities.

These stories are proof that thriving isn’t about having a perfect plan. It’s about resilience, adaptability, and the courage to follow your heart, even when the path isn’t clear. My hope is that their journeys inspire you to explore your own vision, trust your instincts, and take bold steps toward the life you were meant to live.

If you’d like to connect with me, explore coaching, or listen to inspiring conversations with purpose-driven women, visit jenmentesana.com, follow on IG @jen_mentesana, or tune into my podcast Where Passion Meets Purpose.