NewsCor

Gia Mezz was tired of seeing fast fashion on the rise — so she launched her own business.

This Side Hustle Spotlight Q&A features Gia Mezz, 28, who is based in Los Angeles. Mezz taught herself graphic design and started fashion brand LEAU as a side hustle. Now a full-fledged business, LEAU boasts nearly $10 million in lifetime sales. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Every year, new promising startup companies pull to the forefront of their industry through exciting innovation, technology, and industry-disrupting business models. We’ve rounded up the top startups of 2025, including their location and venture-backed funding, that startup-lovers, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs should follow.