UCLA Alumni Bruin Business 100

Steven and I are proud to reveal that Gem Surprise Box has been selected as a UCLA Bruin 100 Business by the UCLA Alumni Association!

This professional achievement recognizes 100 exceptional UCLA alumni entrepreneurs who founded businesses that have inspired innovation and expanded the Bruin network in a positive way. We are incredibly humbled to be named among businesses like Mathnasium - The Math Learning Center who is an international powerhouse in education and to be listed among such prestigious alumni of the school we love so much. We are forever proud to be UCLA Bruins and cherish the opportunity to represent our alma mater.

UCLA’s iconic Royce Hall

GSB Co-Founders Christine Lopez G.G. & Steven Ibbotson, both UCLA class of 2015

Gem Surprise Box UCLA Alumni Bruin Business 100 certificate

We are still floored that we were selected out of so many applicants and feeling pleasantly surprised that two entrepreneurs without any formal business education beat out so many other qualified businesses. At the heart of it all, we know that we are so much more than just an educational mineral company and it is beyond validating to have UCLA see that too.

Steven and I attended the UCLA Alumni Bruin Business 100 Recognition Ceremony in mid-May 2022 where we received certificates of achievement for our work with Gem Surprise Box. We are beyond humbled, every new recognition we receive encourages us to work harder, push further, and to take our innovative spirit to the next level. We also had the wonderful opportunity to meet other entrepreneurs in our UCLA Alumni community and already have plans to collaborate with several of our fellow honorees. We look forward to continuing to cultivate our new connections as we all grow towards exceeding our goals.

On a personal note, I feel beyond lucky to not only have the opportunity to share my deepest passions with the world through our business, but to do so with the supportive love of my best friend and life partner at my side. Steven and I met at UCLA through mutual friends and began dating in 2011. Our company and everything we do is a product of our love.
It is always a true joy to return to the campus we adore so deeply!

Until next time UCLA 💙💛

—Christine & Steven, your Gem Surprise Box Co-Founders