Women Who Shine: Gwen Fandel—Beginning Again and Building Connection

Each month, Women Who Shine introduces you to a woman whose courage, creativity, and determination are making a difference. This month, we’re turning the spotlight inward to share the story of LuxaDaisy’s co-founder Gwen Fandel and the journey that inspired the community we’re building today.

Gwen has spent much of her career creating experiences that bring people together. As the owner and producer of Premier Bridal Shows, she grew her expo business from four annual events to as many as fifteen, connecting thousands of couples with local wedding professionals annually.

For many years, Gwen approached life and work with a nose-to-the-grindstone determination. She worked hard, carried her responsibilities, and kept moving forward, often without a true support system of her own.

Then COVID brought the event industry to an abrupt halt.

It was a time of tremendous uncertainty and loss, but something unexpected also happened. New friendships entered Gwen’s life. Bonds deepened, women showed up for one another and a genuine support system began to form around her.

For Gwen, experiencing that kind of friendship and encouragement was both new and uplifting. It showed her how meaningful life can become when women have a place where they feel supported, understood and connected.

That experience planted the seed for something more. Gwen wanted to help create the kind of community she had discovered, a welcoming space where women could form friendships, support local businesses, try new experiences and know they didn’t have to navigate everything alone.

As she began imagining what the next chapter might hold, Gwen also returned to school and earned her master’s degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton. The experience reminded her that growth doesn’t have a limit and that beginning again doesn’t mean starting from nothing.

From this period of friendship, reflection and reinvention, LuxaDaisy began to take shape.

Created by Gwen and her daughter, LuxaDaisy grew from a simple belief: local connection should feel easier, warmer and more personal. Together, they envisioned a community where women could discover local businesses, meet the people behind them and build meaningful connections close to home.

Today, LuxaDaisy brings that vision to life through its Orange County directory, community stories and events such as the Live Well Expo. At the heart of it all is the understanding that inspired Gwen from the beginning: women’s lives become richer when we encourage one another, share our stories, and make room for genuine connection.

Building something new has required patience, persistence, and a willingness to keep moving forward without always knowing exactly where the road will lead. Gwen’s story isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about continuing to show up, trusting that something meaningful can grow from an unexpected ending, and recognizing that it is never too late to create a new beginning.

For Gwen, shining doesn’t mean life has been easy or that every challenge has been overcome. Sometimes, shining means allowing others to support you, and then using that experience to create a place where other women can feel supported, too.