Monique Fraile helps customers show their loved ones how berry much they love them. Since May, the fourth-year sociology student has been operating a gourmet dessert business on the Instagram page @momozberriez. Read more...

Photo: Monique Fraile’s passion for berry delicacies turned into a gourmet dessert business on the Instagram page @momozberriez. The fourth-year sociology student specializes in custom chocolate-covered strawberries and can create an array of treats for any occasion. (Anika Chakrabarti/Daily Bruin staff)

With her vulnerability on full display, Cameron Mouton passes the pen along to her readers and encourages them to write their own narrative. The third-year American literature and culture student minoring in African American studies is self-publishing her new poetry and prose collection, “Mixed,” on Saturday, in which she recounts her experiences with racism and sexual assault. Read more...

Photo: Cameron Mouton is self-publishing her new poetry and prose collection, “Mixed,” on Saturday. Collecting work she wrote in old journals and notes, the third-year American literature and culture student said the book chronicles her trauma and growth from an adolescent to a young adult. (Sabrina Wu/Daily Bruin)

Gia McCruter is bringing environmental awareness to often mindless skin care routines. The third-year sociology student said she founded Gyza Gold, a natural, homemade skin care line and metaphysical online store because of her desire to find products that would not irritate her sensitive skin. Read more...

Photo: McCruter said she oversees every aspect of Gyza Gold, including product development, graphic and web design, social media and shipping. While establishing the brand, she said she took inspiration from the Pyramids of Giza for its name to pay homage to being a Black woman – but changed the spelling and pronunciation. (Left to right: Harold Lee/Daily Bruin, courtesy of Sydney Cattouse)

This post was updated Jan. 18 at 7:23 p.m.   Chelsy Alcazar helps memories stick. In September, the fourth-year Spanish language and culture student began selling personalized stickers on her Instagram account, @amoreymagia. Read more...

Photo: Fourth-year Spanish language and culture student Chelsy Alcazar uses digital art to help her customers’ memories stick. She sells customized stickers on her Instagram account @amoreymagia that she creates from photos, hoping to touch the hearts of others. She said making stickers has allowed her to combine her passions of business, storytelling and colors all in one endeavor. (Anika Chakrabarti/Daily Bruin staff)

Whether retreating to the wholesome islands of “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” or strumming guitar tunes in “The Last of Us Part II,” gaming provided an escape from the woes of 2020. Read more...

Photo: (Dani Nalangan/Daily Bruin)