We’re excited to announce our March Member of the Month and, in celebration of International Women’s Month, Carolyn J. Hamlet, Founder & CEO of ōku™! Carolyn has been a loyal member of Startup San Diego, participating in all our events and consistently advocating for CPG founders across the startup ecosystem. We’re grateful to have Carolyn a part of our startup community!
A Word from Carolyn
Innovation communities matter because they compress time. They connect you to people who’ve been there, shorten the learning curve, and remind you that building something new is a team sport—even when the work feels intensely personal. Startup San Diego has been that kind of catalyst for me: a place to build trusted relationships, pressure-test ideas, and stay close to the energy of builders who are willing to test, iterate, and keep going. As a founder, you’re constantly balancing conviction with humility—listening to feedback while staying anchored to the mission. This ecosystem helps you do both. I’m grateful to be building ōku here, surrounded by people who lead with generosity, momentum, and a genuine belief in what’s possible.
