That decision became Valmasi. As a family physician, she'd seen firsthand how ill-fitting scrubs affected the confidence of the women wearing them. Curvy women with fuller hips, thighs, or busts often couldn't find scrubs that actually fit, and Dr. Vanessa knew the problem intimately, because she'd lived it herself.

"What you wear affects how you feel, and how you're perceived by others," Dr. Vanessa said. "Women who dedicate their lives to caring for others deserve a company that's thinking of them first."

Building Valmasi from the ground up has meant learning an entirely new discipline. Where an established company has departments and managers dividing the work, Dr. Vanessa is doing it all herself — as she puts it, feeling like she needs to be in five places at once. Learning how to organize the business, and knowing when to bring in outside help, has been one of the hardest parts of the journey. She's also had to let go of the belief that she needed everything figured out before launching.

"The success I had as a physician doesn't mean it will immediately carry over into this business," she said, "but I have done hard things before, and I can do hard things now and succeed."

What keeps her going is the knowledge that no successful company appears overnight — the work happens quietly, long before anyone sees the results. Support from friends and family helps, and when it's not always there, she reminds herself: "This is not their business, it is not their primary responsibility."

Every Valmasi piece is made in Los Angeles, supporting local manufacturing while delivering a tailored fit that adds space where it's needed most without sacrificing a sleek, professional silhouette.

Looking ahead, Dr. Vanessa is working on perfecting her sizing so she can develop a line of scrubs for students and physician groups purchasing in bulk for their staff — a B2B line that would build a new revenue stream alongside her direct-to-consumer business.

Valmasi creates curvy-fit scrubs for women in medicine and beyond, blending luxury, functionality, and elegance in every design. Made in Los Angeles, the brand is built on the belief that healthcare workers deserve workwear as thoughtful as the care they give.

With The Hustle Grant award, Dr. Vanessa plans to put the funds toward the Women's Wellness x Valmasi Fit Experience, a four-hour community event bringing together roughly 150 women for guided scrub fittings alongside wellness programming. Healthcare professionals will speak on stress, nutrition, exercise, and perimenopause, followed by small-group breakout discussions where attendees can dig deeper. The event will showcase the Curvy Collection Scrubs, with grant funds covering venue costs and table and chair rentals. Attendees will get hands-on fittings, special event pricing on scrubs, and a chance to directly shape Valmasi's future through in-person feedback.

Women's Wellness + Valmasi Scrubs Fit Experience

Carson Event Center, 801 Carson Street, Carson, United States

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 - 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM