Meet Dr. Aseile Bazzi, Pharmd | Community Builder – GLOW (Growth, Leadership & Opportunity for Women)

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Aseile Bazzi, Pharmd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Aseile, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Starting GLOW was not just a business decision. It was something I deeply felt needed to exist. I have my Doctorate in Pharmacy from UCSD and spent years working as a pharmacy manager and compounding pharmacist. But despite my success, I often found myself wondering if this was it. I have always loved bringing people together, and after experiencing multiple losses, career shifts, and even a major car crash, I realized the biggest thing missing in my life was true community.

Through every challenge, I saw a pattern. Community kept being taken from me. Whether it was through friendships, relationships, or work, I repeatedly found myself starting over. And I was not alone. I met so many women struggling to form real, lasting connections. Networking events felt transactional, and I wanted something deeper. I wanted something built on support, collaboration, and real relationships.

On my birthday in 2024, while visiting my family in Michigan, I could not shake this idea. I kept asking myself what would happen if there was a space where women could come together, not just to network, but to grow, support one another, and truly connect. That is when the name GLOW came to me. Growth, Leadership & Opportunity for Women.

I created GLOW to be more than just events. It is a movement. A space where women can show up as themselves, build lasting connections, and embrace the power of community.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
GLOW stands for Growth, Leadership & Opportunity for Women, but it’s more than just a name—it’s a mission. GLOW was created to bring women together in a way that feels intentional, meaningful, and creative. Too often, women’s events focus solely on networking or activities like a paint-and-sip, but I wanted to go deeper. GLOW is about building real, lasting connections through experiences that foster vulnerability, trust, and collaboration. At its core, GLOW is built on four key pillars: empowerment, connection, support, and creativity, all of which guide the experiences we create.

Getting here hasn’t been easy. I have my Doctorate in Pharmacy from UCSD and spent years managing large teams as a pharmacy manager and compounding pharmacist. But despite climbing the ladder, I often found myself wondering, “Is this it?” Life threw a lot at me. I lost my mom, navigated difficult relationships, faced job losses, and in 2024, survived a major car crash. It wasn’t until I was forced to slow down that I realized how much community had been missing from my life. I had spent years trying to build connections, but in moments when I needed support, I felt like I had no one to call. That realization led me to create the kind of space I had always needed myself.

One of my biggest challenges was pushing past my own mental limitations and trusting that this idea was worth pursuing. Building a business and a community from the ground up meant taking risks, facing rejection, and learning to trust the process. I’ve had to remind myself that not everyone will align with GLOW’s mission, and that’s okay. The right people will find their way to it.

One of my proudest moments was during GLOW’s launch event. I stood back and watched a room full of women laughing, talking, and forming genuine connections. That moment confirmed that what I had envisioned was real and needed. It showed me that women truly do want to come together in spaces where they feel supported and valued.

What I want the world to know about GLOW is that it’s not just another event series. It’s about rebuilding trust among women, fostering collaboration over competition, and reminding us that we are stronger together. Whether you’re looking for friendship, professional growth, or simply a space where you can show up as yourself, GLOW is here to welcome you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting for a week, we’d start each morning at Bica, my favorite coffee shop and my usual go-to spot. Their coffee is top-tier, and it’s the perfect way to ease into the day.

For a peaceful start, we’d take an early morning walk at Coronado Beach—my favorite place to relax and recharge. There’s something about getting there before the rest of the world wakes up that makes it feel so special.

When it comes to food, we’re hitting all the spots:

Coasterra for the incredible food and unbeatable view
Callie for the beautiful ambiance and bold Mediterranean flavors
Colima’s for carne asada fries—yes, I know it’s a controversial take, but they were my first spot when I visited San Diego in 2014, and I’ve been loyal ever since!
On Saturday morning, we’d head to the Little Italy Farmers Market to support local small businesses, grab some fresh produce, and browse all the amazing vendors.

For nightlife and fun, we’d keep it balanced—some high-energy moments and some chill ones:

The Redwing for karaoke, where we’d obviously be belting out Chappell Roan at the top of our lungs
The Torrey Pines Gliderport for a stunning view and to watch (or if we’re feeling adventurous, try) paragliding
Fashion Valley for some retail therapy, followed by a Winyl Night at Kate Sessions Park—vinyl records and a picnic? Perfect vibe.
And if we’re feeling spicy, we’d go salsa and bachata dancing at Tango Del Rey and hopefully catch a concert at Belly Up or The Casbah.

A week in San Diego isn’t nearly enough, but this would be the perfect mix of relaxation, great food, live music, and making memories in the city I love.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people who have played a role in my journey, but I want to give a special shoutout to Make it Perfect Planning for trusting in my coordinating abilities during their large-scale weddings and events. Working with them reignited my passion for bringing people together and reminded me how much I love creating meaningful experiences. Seeing the joy on people’s faces, witnessing connections form, and being part of something that brings people happiness was a feeling I knew I needed to chase. That experience helped shape my vision for GLOW and reinforced my belief that community and connection are at the heart of everything I do.

Website: https://sandiegoglow.com

Instagram: @sandiego.glow

Other: @aseileb

Image Credits
Captured by Venus Photography