Freedom to Travel: Karine and her husband and kids were thrilled to get away together in 2024 for the Goodwood Festival of Speed motorsport event in West Sussex, England.
Karine Aylozyan never thought she would sell the company she worked so hard to create, build and run for 22 years — but she has always trusted her instincts.
After studying microbiology and chemistry at California State University, Northridge, she worked with well-known brands in cosmetic chemistry (including sunscreen) on the testing side. When pregnant with her son, she and her husband decided to create their own lab to perform testing data that people could trust. Under her direction, Micro Quality Labs, Inc. in Burbank, California, grew fast, from 1,000 square feet to three large buildings, performing microbiologic as well as analytical testing for several industries. “I made sure that I had explored and analyzed the data myself, with my team, and that we were confident in it. I always explained our methods and educated our clients. I wanted to make sure that they understood and trusted their results.”
As for her kids, “They grew up in the company,” she says. When not in school, her daughter, Mary, worked the night shift receiving data entry. Her son, Chris, aspired to get a management degree and run the company someday. But after 22 years, the workload became all-consuming, and Karine told her kids they should pursue their own dreams. Karine longed for more freedom, family time and a chance to give back to the community.
So she did. “When we sold the company in 2024,” she says, “we created the Aylozyan Family Foundation, which Chris is running while finishing his senior year of college. Motivated by my dad, a survivor of multiple skin cancers, one of our first decisions was to support The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Save Destination Healthy Skin campaign.”
Their generous donation helped the Foundation reach its goal to purchase a new RV for free screenings around the country.
With Mary, who graduated in 2024 with a degree in marketing, they also founded The Natural SKN Company and plan to bring mineral sunscreens for children and adults to market. “I told my dad this effort is for him. We want to create sunscreen that is fun and appeals to kids, so they don’t end up with skin cancer like my dad later in their lives. He says he can’t wait to use it, too.”
Being a business leader is a little different than being a mom, she explains. “I tell my kids, ‘I just want you guys to be good people in this society.’ Now, we are all excited that we’re going to make a difference together!” — Interview by Julie Bain
