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Altadena Today
By the People, for the People
Two Women Rebuild Businesses After Devastating Eaton Fire
Elizabeth Hall and Vanessa Nabhani lost most or all of their inventory in the wildfire, but are determined to come back stronger than ever.
Published on Mar. 6, 2026
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Despite losing their homes and businesses in the Eaton Fire that devastated Altadena and Pasadena last year, two local women entrepreneurs - Elizabeth Hall of Eeze Natural Health and Vanessa Nabhani of Playlab Beauty - are working to rebuild their operations from the ground up. Both faced significant challenges in restocking inventory and securing proper insurance coverage, but are drawing on the support of their local communities and a shared sisterhood to persevere.
Why it matters
The Eaton Fire highlighted the unique struggles that women entrepreneurs can face, from securing adequate funding and insurance to rebuilding after a major disaster. These two stories showcase the resilience and determination of small business owners who are committed to serving their local communities, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
The details
Elizabeth Hall lost her home and all of the inventory for her natural health products business, Eeze Natural Health, when the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena. It took her a full year to relaunch her products, as she had to save up funds to reinvest in rebuilding her inventory. Vanessa Nabhani, founder of the Japanese and Korean beauty products store Playlab Beauty in Pasadena, also lost most of her inventory when her Altadena home burned down. As a young business just over a year old at the time, Nabhani felt a strong responsibility to her customers and community to keep her business going.
- The Eaton Fire devastated Altadena and Pasadena in 2025.
- Elizabeth Hall relaunched Eeze Natural Health a full year after the fire.
- Playlab Beauty was just over a year old when the Eaton Fire struck.
The players
Elizabeth Hall
The owner of Eeze Natural Health, a natural health products business that lost its entire inventory in the Eaton Fire.
Vanessa Nabhani
The founder of Playlab Beauty, a Japanese and Korean beauty products store in Pasadena that lost most of its inventory in the Eaton Fire.
What they’re saying
“I got to see my inventory. Every day I was the one filling the orders out of the home, and it was really hard to think it all just went away overnight.”
— Elizabeth Hall, Owner, Eeze Natural Health (CBS News Los Angeles)
“I feel like I am very battle-tested at this point. After going through what we went through, you can always rise from the ashes.”
— Vanessa Nabhani, Founder, Playlab Beauty (CBS News Los Angeles)
What’s next
Both Hall and Nabhani are continuing to rebuild their businesses and serve their local communities, drawing on the support of customers and fellow female entrepreneurs.
The takeaway
The stories of Elizabeth Hall and Vanessa Nabhani highlight the resilience and determination of women small business owners, who often face unique challenges in securing funding, insurance, and rebuilding after disasters, but are committed to serving their communities and pursuing their passions.
