What began as a high school senior independent study project has grown into a thriving
natural vegan beauty business for Texas Christian University graduate Amaris Arellano
’25 — one rooted in caring for people both inside and out.
“I’ve always loved beauty and body care products, and while researching cosmetic ingredients
to formulate my own lip balms, I was alarmed by how many toxic substances are common
in products we apply to our bodies every day,” the alumna of the Department of Design
in TCU’s College of Fine Arts explained.
ARÉ Vegan Beauty features a thoughtfully curated line of lip balms, body butters and
bath salts made from high-quality ingredients. Arellano’s loyalty to clean beauty
is deeply personal, shaped by the experiences of several family members who survived
cancer and other health conditions.
She is committed to creating handmade products that not only nourish the skin but
also give back to the community, driven by the belief that everyone deserves access
to premium body care products.
For every two ARÉ Vegan Beauty products sold, Arellano donates one item to an organization
in need, including gifting 50 lip balms to the residents and staff of Stepping Stones
Shelter, which provides housing and support for homeless families in her home state
of Maryland.
She earned a $5,000 investment in her business at the Neeley School of Business’ CREATE
competition. The cross-campus accelerator program, housed within the award-winning
Entrepreneurship and Innovation program, provides mentorship and capital to help TCU
students launch their ventures. 
“CREATE elevates a business idea to be ready for a comprehensive accelerator, ensuring
students receive the essential training and personalized mentorship needed to develop
their business ideas and build core entrepreneurial skills,” Rodney D’Souza, executive
director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said. “Through this
intensive preparation, students can compete for up to $50,000 in seed capital through
the Shaddock Seed Fund, giving them the real-world start they need to turn ideas into
successful companies.”
Arellano used a portion of the funds to enhance her website, launch targeted digital
advertising campaigns to expand her customer base and purchase inventory for current
and future product lines.
“My immediate focus was refining product packaging to reflect the clean, modern aesthetic
of the brand and investing in product photography for marketing materials,” she said.
Throughout the competition, Arellano was guided by faculty mentor Paul Evans, former
associate director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
“He believed in my capabilities and my business from the start, which gave me the
confidence to push forward, even when things were overwhelming,” she said.
Evans was inspired by her thoughtful approach to building a brand that prioritizes
both the customer and the community.
“Amaris is a self-starter who took the initiative and proved and iterated her business
the way all great entrepreneurs do,” Evans said. “It was an honor to work with her,
and I’m glad we were able to support her through our grant funding. This is only the
beginning for Amaris, and I know there are great things to come!”
Arellano is now pursuing a master’s in design for human health at Boston Architectural
College, where she plans to deepen her passion for designing spaces that promote well-being
and sustainability, values she hopes to integrate into her business.
“I would love to open a retail space where customers can shop, experience the products
firsthand and learn about the brand’s mission,” she said. “This space would serve
as a hub for wellness and community engagement.”
