469: Turning Grief Into Growth: How Amy Anaiz Built a Sustainable Home Brand
Side Hustle ProPlay episode
Show notes
This week in the guest chair we have Amy Anaiz, a celebrated photographer turned product founder and the creator of OZAIZ, a sustainable home goods and fragrance brand. After building a successful wedding and portrait photography business for over a decade, Amy made a powerful pivot—launching a line of sculptural, multi-use glassware inspired by beauty, intention, and function.
In this episode, Amy opens up about her transition from side hustler to full-time creative, and how becoming a mother—while navigating unimaginable grief—reshaped her purpose and path. She shares the behind-the-scenes of building OZAIZ, from manufacturing and funding the business herself, to designing for sustainability and meaning.
*Trigger Warning:
This episode includes discussions of infant loss and stillbirth.
In this episode she shares:
How she prepared financially to leave her 9-to-5 and pursue photography full-timeThe story behind her product brand OZAIZ and why it took years to bring to lifeHow grief, motherhood, and purpose shaped her new business directionWhat she’s learned about manufacturing, design, and funding a product-based businessThe intentional design and sustainability philosophy behind OZAIZ
Highlights Include
00:00 – Intro
01:30 – Amy’s pivot from PR to photography
07:00 – Building her photography side hustle
10:00 – Leaving her full-time job and creating a financial cushion
13:00 – Losing her daughter and navigating grief while becoming a mom
21:00 – Why she launched OZAIZ and what sets the brand apart
28:00 – How she self-funded her entire business
36:00 – The complexities of manufacturing glassware and candles
44:00 – Designing for sustainability and versatility
50:00 – Balancing personal storytelling with branding
58:00 – What's next for OZAIZ and how Amy honors her daughter's legacy
Watch episode 469 on YouTube and listen on all podcast apps
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
OZAIZ Website: https://www.ozaiz.comAmy Anaiz Photography: https://www.amyanaiz.comAmy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyanaizphotoOZAIZ on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ozaizhome Side Hustle Pro Podcast: https://www.sidehustlepro.co/podcastKunbi (Amy’s lawyer):https://www.instagram.com/legallyset/
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