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At Lucid Laces, community care extends far beyond the rink. As we roll into the holiday season — a time full of deals, gifts, and late-night online shopping — we want to make sure you’re staying safe, informed and protected.   This time of year, both retailers and scammers get more active. Companies are using more AI than ever to collect information about how you shop, what you click and even what device you’re using — cybcersecurity info that can change the price you’re shown for the same item.   Meanwhile, scammers are out here trying to take advantage of the hustle, offering fake deals, phishing messages and too-good-to-be-true discounts that can compromise your data with AI deepfake scams.   Protecting yourself online is one of the best gifts you can give YOU. 🔐 Did You Know?   AI-powered pricing tools — combined with holiday traffic — can show different prices to different people based on:   Your browsing history Your ZIP code Your device (iPhone users often see higher prices) How many times you looked at an item Whether you seem “ready to buy”   This is called dynamic pricing and during the holiday rush, these algorithms become even more aggressive. Lucid Laces does not participate in these tactics.   At the same time… Holiday scams spike by more than 70% as cybercriminals create fake stores, discount ads, shipping alerts and charity scams to steal information.   Your data becomes a target — and your awareness becomes your shield. 🛡️ Lucid-Approved Cybersecurity Ways to Protect Your Data This Holiday Season   1️⃣ Watch for Fake Holiday Deals If the price looks unbelievably low, the website is new, or checkout feels off — trust that instinct.   2️⃣ Watch for Fake Shipping Notifications Scammers send texts + emails pretending to be USPS/UPS. Never click links or buttons asking you to “verify” your address or pay a small fee.   3️⃣ Clear Cookies Before Big Purchases This helps neutralize dynamic pricing tools that raise the cost for returning visitors.   4️⃣ Shop in Private/Incognito Mode You’ll get cleaner search results + less tracking.   5️⃣ Use MFA (Multi-Factor Authentication) - especially for banking, email and shopping apps. One extra step = major protection.   6️⃣ Use a Strong, Unique Password for Every Account - Holiday breaches happen every year. A password manager is your best friend this season.   7️⃣ Avoid Public Wi-Fi Shopping If you’re in a cafe, airport or public place. Wait until you’re on a secure network before checking out. 💖 Why Cybersecurity Matters to Us   We’re a small, women-owned, community-powered brand. We aren't just custom roller skate laces, we care about the spaces we roll in — both online and in the rink.   Your safety, cybersecurity, your trust and your peace of mind matter. If we can help you stay aware, shop confidently and protect your personal information while you grab gifts (or treat yourself to a fresh pair of shimmer laces), then that’s community care in action.   Stay safe, stay smart and stay rollin’ this season 🎁✨  — The Lucid Laces Team

Flyer for Lucid Laces 3rd birthday celebration at Fleetwood Roller Rink Hi Lucid Fam, In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day , I’m taking a moment to reflect on what it means to build something from the ground up as a woman, a roller skater, and a community-driven creator. Lucid Laces started as a small spark — a way to blend self-care, learning, culture, and giving back. Over time, it’s grown into a space where people feel connected, seen, and inspired to roll a little brighter. And that’s because of you — our community. Entrepreneurship isn’t just business. It’s healing. It’s creativity. It’s responsibility, growth and showing up even when it’s hard. My skates have always been my safe space, my clarity and my reminder that joy is a form of discipline too. As we reflect on this journey, here are a few lessons we hope inspire other women chasing their own ideas: 💡 1. Build from authenticity Your story is your brand. Your culture, your community, your lived experiences — that’s your superpower. Embrace it and let it be a gift to others. 💡 2. Let self-care be a strategy, not an afterthought For us, that’s rollerskating. Find what refills you and treat it like a non-negotiable meeting… admin time, if you will. 💡 3. Start small, stay consistent You don’t need perfect conditions. You need momentum. Lucid began with a simple minimum viable product and invited feedback. “If you build it, they will come.” 💡 4. Community is currency Pour into the people who lift you up. Celebrate them. Empower the next generation, even if no one did that for you. 💡 5. Give back however you can Impact doesn’t require scale. A conversation, a donation, an event, a resource — it all matters. You eat an elephant one bite at a time. 💡 6. Protect your joy Challenges, doubts, and noise will always exist. Move with intention and remember your “why.” There will always be detractors — the key is choosing joy and community every time. Thank you to every skater, supporter, and community member who has helped Lucid Laces grow into a movement. Your love for skating keeps us rolling. 💖🛼 Angelique & Drella

Angelique at #walktoendalz in Glenview where we exceeded our goal! On Sunday, September 21st at 10am CST at Gallery Park in Glenview, our Lucid Laces team walked together in honor of those impacted by Alzheimer’s.   For me, this walk is deeply personal. Walking for my mother, Maria, who is living with Alzheimer’s. Every step I take is a step of love, remembrance and determination to support families like ours.   We’ve exceeded our $2,000 fundraising goal of $2,325  for Team Avoa !   The North Shore Walk’s overall goal is $268,000, and together the community has already raised $228,032—but there’s still a way to go. Pinwheel flowers in remembrance of those with Alzheimer's 💜 Here’s how you can help:   👉 Donate Today – Any amount makes an impact.  👉 Learn more about Angelique's experience with this deeply important cause here Every step we take and every dollar we raise moves us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s. Thank you for supporting us, for walking beside us, and for helping honor my mom, Maria. With gratitude, Angelique & The Lucid Laces Team 💜 Lucid Laces | By Skaters, For Skaters Angelique sharing her experience caregiving for her mother, Maria with Alzheimer's on LMJ Lost Souls YouTube podcast   Learn more about Angelique's experience with this deeply important cause here: https://share.google/2bFVlTtlWgifgSUaV

Learn more about LMJ Lost Souls - https://www.lostsoulsendalz.org/about At Lucid Laces , skating has always been more than movement, it’s about community, expression and connection . Since 2022, we’ve expanded our mission beyond creating custom roller skate laces to include education  around dementia, Alzheimer’s Awareness, mental health and suicide prevention . As a women-owned, small business , our values are rooted in showing up authentically for our skate community and beyond. We believe that every platform, no matter how small, can spark meaningful change and inspire those around us. Why Alzheimer's Awareness Matters to Us This mission is deeply personal. Angelique’s mother, Maria , is living with Alzheimer’s. Her journey has shaped our advocacy, inspiring us to bring visibility to the realities of Alzheimer’s disease and to support families who carry its impact every day. Recently, we partnered to provide $1,500 in donated supplies  to the Pearl of Evanston , the care community where Maria resides. These supplies directly support residents, families, and caregivers; helping to bring comfort, dignity, and daily care. We were honored to co-sponsor their Skate4aCause event at Coachlite Roller Rink in Roselle, IL. Angelique was also given an opportunity to share their story on Episode #8 of LMJ Lost Soul's YouTube podcast. Angelique sharing her experience with Maria's Alzheimer's disease on YouTube Our commitment doesn’t stop at donations. By raising awareness through our skate platform, Lucid Laces works to connect our community with resources for dementia support, Alzheimer’s education and mental health awareness . The Connection Between Skating & Mental Health Roller skating has always been a source of joy, healing and release . It’s a way to cope with stress, connect with others and nurture mental well-being. That’s why weaving mental health advocacy  into our brand feels natural. It’s a reflection of what skating is to our community. Through collaborations, events and campaigns, we’ve shared resources for: Dementia and Alzheimer’s caregiver support Mental health education  for the skate community Suicide prevention awareness  through partnerships with nonprofits Uplifting spaces for community connection and healing How You Can Get Involved Your support makes this possible. Every purchase of Lucid Laces roller skate laces , every event ticket and every donation helps fuel this work. Together, we can keep showing up with love, strength and solidarity  for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and mental health struggles. Looking to learn more or join us? 👉 Learn More About LMJ Lost Souls 👉 Get Involved With Upcoming Events 👉 Dementia & Alzheimer’s Support Guide 👉 Learn About Lucid’s Advocacy Work Thank You for Supporting a Women-Owned Small Business Thank you for supporting our small, women-run skate biz . Every order and every share keeps us laced up and rolling strong ...not just at the rink, but in the community where it matters most. With gratitude, Angelique & Drella Lucid Laces | By Skaters, For Skaters

Hey skate fam!   Summer’s in full swing in Chicago— Lucid Laces can be spotted vending at several events around the city and would love to see you! Shoot us a message or DM if we can look forward to seeing you in your skates! Skate with ya soon!   Stay Lucid <3 Senator Preston's Annual Juneteenth Celebration Senator Willie Preston 's Annual Juneteenth Celebration   Wednesday - 6/19, 12pm - 5pm   O'Hallaren Park - 8335 S. Honore, Chicago, IL   Bring your family, friends and pride. You won’t want to miss this celebration of freedom, culture and community! Let's eat, play basketball and watch a powerful performance on our history in America. Shoutout to Connie for making this connection for Lucid Laces!   HP Skate Meets in Humboldt Park, Chicago HP Skate Meetup   Friday - 6/20, 5pm - 8pm   Join us at Humboldt Park with our friends at HP Skate Meets! Free lessons with Professor Rozay  and live with DJ Bam All levels All ages All wheels welcome HP Skate Meets IG Lessons: Professior Rozay Music: DJ Bam Sunday - 6/22, 4:30pm - 6:30pm   Coachlite Roller Rink, Roselle, IL   Join us as we co-sponsor Skate4acause! Benefits to raise awareness for Dementia/Alzheimers and the Northern IL Food Bank. Kids skate for free!   LMJ Lost Souls - Alzheimer Fund Shoutout to Andrea for this connection for Lucid Laces!

As we grow up, we learn coping behaviors, intentionally or not, such as ways to communicate, express and receive love, and accept ourselves and others. This significantly influences our worldview and our interactions with others. Our After the Storm campaign has provided us with some insights and we are pleased to share them with all of you. Angelique and Drella each have distinct experiences in prioritizing their mental health and well-being and understand that you have your own unique perspective and experience too. This is why we want to start having these open conversations. What have you learned about yourself since we launched our After the Storm campaign  to raise awareness of the importance of mental health? AK: I did not realize how quickly the After the Storm campaign would gain such traction since we launched in 2023! Thank you to all who’ve donated thus far or shared a post to get the word out! I learned that there is nothing wrong asking for help or support from those trusted individuals around you. It's not a sign of weakness but more so an invitation to feel supported by those who could hold space for me. It also taught me that vulnerability is a huge relationship builder and that you don't have to go through life alone or isolated. I hope we can bring more awareness around this in the future. Drella: What I’ve learned about myself is that I am more resilient than I give myself credit for. Before we launched After the Storm, my experience with mental health has always been a negative experience. I always knew I wanted to help people going through what I have gone through but I never knew how, or where to start. I associated my struggles with being weak instead of being a pillar of hope. Being able to shift my mindset and see myself as stronger for what I’ve gone through after launching After the Storm has been a new learning experience to say the least.  What are some ways that you prioritize taking time for yourself whether that is to recharge, take space or find support? AK: A huge habit I am trying to form before taking any sort of action is to check-in with myself to determine what I need. How do I feel? This could be under slept, hungry, cold, anxious...whatever the answer is, starting there has been a huge step in the right direction to avoid some impulsive habits that I go to when I am not checking in with myself. Some healthier options I opt for when I want to be impulsive are to go for a walk, have a cup of tea or even just plop down and lie face up on the ground for a moment. Drella: When I’m feeling like I need to recharge, or take space, I make sure to communicate with people closest to me that I’m feeling low, (which can be a huge obstacle) but to be fully transparent is to be heard from the people around you. I take time to stretch and become present with my breathing, being aware of my body to ground myself if it ever gets too intense, and will try to move my body if that means going on a walk, the gym or to my local rink for a skate! Any advice for others around the topic of mental health awareness and self care? AK: Be a seeker of information to educate yourself on what resources may be available to the community. Curiosity is powerful. Group counseling, therapy sessions, discussions with friends and journaling are great ways to get to know yourself and make informed decisions when it comes to your health. Drella: My advice will always be to go at your own pace. Healing is never linear. There can be a day where you feel on top of the world and the next, you may feel like you’re back to where you once were. Keep going. We can acknowledge our emotions regardless of positive or negative and take it day by day to implement small changes that can change how you’ve handled “self care” in the past compared to now.  What would you tell your younger self regarding some of the struggles you’ve experienced thus far? AK: I would tell my younger self that I've got everything I need to be successful, happy and thrive but it won't always feel that way. Trust the process and more importantly, trust yourself that you've got this, whatever that looks like in the future. I would also mention that it's ok to lean on other people or even ask them to hold space for you through listening just to get something heavy off your chest. It benefits both sides and doesn't show weakness, if anything it improves maturity and a relationship with my inner self. Drella: I would tell myself that although the  journey I’m on is not easy, it will lead me to be the compassionate person that I am today. I will also tell myself that I am not alone!   If any of this resonates with you, feel free to take some time to reflect on your own perspectives around your forms of self-care and support! Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or reach out to us privately if you feel comfortable! Stay Lucid <3

Lucid Laces make skating fun again Hello skate fam! We are back with another Lucid Laces blog for you all! As a small, women-run business, we wanted to take the time to connect and provide a little insight into who we are as individuals, as a team and as roller skaters! Read on for more and feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments! What is a skate habit you’re trying to break? Angelique: "I need to stop ignoring the beat by slowing down, listening and then flowing, lol." Drella: “Stop looking down, listen to music and flow with it instead of overthinking my next move.” What are you working on? Angelique: "I have been working on backwards JB, slow sets and thinking about pivots." Drella: “When I am not working on crazy legs and locks, I am working on freestyling and remembering JB combos.” What laces are you wearing? Angelique: "I am currently wearing 96" Cobalt and I wrap 2 times." Drella: “I am currently wearing 96" Goldenrod and I wrap 3 times” What inspires you as a small business? Angelique: "Honestly, what keeps me going is the joy of creating a product that other people find functional but also allows them to express their skate style. My DIY background is woven throughout Lucid Laces. It's a weird joy being able to say that every single pair of laces went through my hands. Drella is currently training in Lucid Lace-making." Drella: "To be able to fill a need for the community, to be accessible for beginners skaters, for example, who are learning to loosening their nuts off their wheels so the wheels actually spin. People don’t know that." What advice do you have for new skaters? Angelique: "Just skate and have fun! This is probably why you started in the first place, right? There are so many things to work on like footwork or musicality so keep a fresh outlook because the learning never ends and it's all about the journey along the way!" Drella: “Move at your own pace, social media creates this competition and I want new skaters to know that everything is based on their own timeline, not to compare themselves to other skaters. Let’s say for instance a friend and you are working on the same move like crazy legs together and you’re not picking it up as quick as you’d like, don’t get frustrated, just keep going and everyone’s journey is different. Long term goals? Angelique: "I want to keep pushing forward mental health awareness and education for the community in the hopes of having challenging conversations by creating a safe space to do so. Manifesting our own space in the future as well!" Drella: "Shop, studio space, safe space for community, lucid skate shops and skate lounge. It would be an honor to be a pillar in the community and provide a safe space. Tea station, coffee, water dispenser." Thanks for taking the time to get to know a little bit about us! Is there anything that came to mind during this post? Post in the comments any questions would you ask us and keep up with us on socials! Lucid Laces Angelique Drella

When our campaign with Hope for the Day first launched, we did had no idea what to expect or what was possible! Your engagement has energized us. We took to heart your feedback to continue to raise awareness about mental health is well-being, suicide prevention and shedding light on resources that are available to the community in and outside of Chicago. We are thrilled to share with you that we have SURPASSED our goal of $600 since our campaign first launched in February, 2023! With all your help via contributions, sharing our posts on social media, gifting After the Storm laces and spreading the word, we have raised a total of $744! Angelique was able to obtain a $400 match through her full time employer bringing the total raised for HFTD with your help has been, drum roll... $1,144 Thank you all !!! for your help in participating through donations, sharing posts and spreading awareness on how important mental health and well being truly is! We also are so excited to see that the conversation around mental health and support is happening in and outside of the rink! If you’d like more information or would like to participate, feel free to check out Hope for the Day here: https://www.hftd.org/events . Upcoming HFTD Events: Giving Tuesday Fundraiser Topics Orbiting Suicide - Mental Health Education Workshop , November 18th, 5:30 - 7pm CST Things We Don't Say | Part 1 — Digital Education , November 18th, 1 - 2:15pm CST Identity & Orientation—Digital Presentation , November 29th, 5:30 - 7pm CST If you are looking for more information that is available, resources to share with others or in need of support yourself, the help is closer than you think. https://www.hftd.org/find-help

February is a monumental month for Lucid Laces and our campaign to raise awareness around mental health education and suicide prevention. In 2023, we launched our  After the Storm reflective roller skate laces where 100% proceeds go to Hope for the Day to spread their message that “it’s ok not to be ok.” We've raised $2120 since then with your help! This month, we are starting our 3rd year socializing our commitment to discussing challenging yet hefty and important topics with our skate community in the hopes of spreading awareness and support within our skate community. While mental health topics may be seen as sticky subjects and can create discomfort, we encourage you to join us in leaning in on those feelings, being curious and open to discussing with those you trust. This is why we, at Lucid Laces, emphasize the importance in discussing these topics around mental health in the hopes of planting a seed of curiosity to continue the conversation with each other, to seek support or even to support someone else. If any of this resonates with you and you are curious for more, stay tuned for our next blog post where we deep dive into Angelique and Drella's ideas around self-care, reflecting on lessons they've learned along the way and some suggestions that have helped them. Stay Lucid <3

Hey skate fam! 2024 was a whirlwind of fun for us here at Lucid Laces! We enjoyed skating in other states, raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention and even shipped laces across the continent and overseas! Check out everything we had going on and thanks so much for sharing it with us! Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for first dibs on promos, discounts and updates, on us! You can also keep up with us on socials: IG FB TikTok Look back on 2024 - January through July accomplishments Look back on 2024 - August through December accomplishments

Hello fellow skate enthusiast!   As the leaves transition from vibrant hues to earthy tones, we invite you to embrace the season of harvest and abundance! This November, let's celebrate the beauty of change and the joy of rolling.   Harvest Your Style Embrace the Transition:  As we move from the crisp autumn air to the cozy winter months, let your skate style reflect the changing seasons. Experiment with warm, rich colors like deep reds, burnt oranges, and earthy browns. Nourish Your Body and Mind:  Remember to prioritize self-care during this time of change. Take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like a leisurely skate. Make Your Skate Setup Pop:  Elevate your skating experience and be seen in the dark with our premium lace collection. Our laces are designed to not only enhance your performance but also add a touch of personal style to your skates.   How to Care for Yourself This November: Prioritize Rest:  Make sure to get enough sleep and take breaks throughout the day. Move Your Body:  Engage in activities you enjoy, like roller skating, to boost your mood and energy levels. Nourish Your Mind:  Practice mindfulness techniques like meditation or yoga to reduce stress and anxiety.   Let's Roll into Winter Together We're excited to see how you style your skates this season. Share your creative setups with us on social media using the hashtag #HarvestYourSkateStyle   Stay tuned for our upcoming holiday collection, where you'll find the perfect gift for the skater in your life.   Roll on and #staylucid

Both Angelique and Drella have their own unique experiences around mental health and well-being. This is the case for everyone whether it is recognized or not which is why we at Lucid Laces feel the importance in discussing and reflecting on topics to plant a seed of curiosity to continue the conversation with each other, to seek support or even to heal. Last month was a monumental in bringing awareness around mental well being and what it means to us. While mental health topics may be seen as sticky subjects and can create discomfort, we encourage you to join us in leaning in on those feelings and being curious. Something I read recently said something along the lines of, “if you have feelings about a topic, it came from your family.” That blew my mind because once I started to look at triggering scenarios and the tough emotions surrounding them, I realized that this is true. Growing up, you are taught coping behaviors (whether intentional or not), how to interact with others, how to give and receive love and how to accept yourself and others.  If any of this resonates with you and you are curious for more, let's dive into some additional resources we’re utilizing to check in with our own mental well-being! Some things we are reading: “Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents” This book is a doozy but eye opening. It defines some traits and terminology that can put us at ease when thinking that we are the cause for some of the uncomfortable feelings or relationships in our lives. Once these things are recognized, it walks us through to what to do about the challenging relationships in our lives with a focus and priority on self. Some journal prompts/exercises: What have you learned about yourself this month? AK: Last month I learned how beneficial it is to step back from the rigamaroll of life, the internet, skating, work, family and all the things. Recognizing this contributes to resiliency and is a focus for this month. Drella: I have learned that burying traumas will do nothing but cause harm down the line. This month I want to focus on not pushing down my traumas, but to embrace them. To have an actual moment of hurt, and be able to sit with it without saying everything I can do differently. No interuptions.  Any advice for others around the topic of mental health and self care? AK: For such a topic that has been stigmatized for so long, I would suggest anyone who is curious about changing their emotional state or learning more about self-regulation or reflection to start researching and getting familiar with some of those emotions. See Feelings Chart . This helps in identifying how some of my upbringing has shaped my thoughts, reactions and experiences. Seek support, whether that’s a Reddit group, in person or virtual support meeting, chat with a friend if you just need someone to listen and not provide a solution. I think these are all great starts to taking control of our own well-being rather than succumbing to what society thinks we should do with our emotions and trauma. Drella: advice is hard. I remember when I was going through my hardest time of life, 16 years old and any “advice” I heard pissed me off. I currently think about this during my healing process and I remind myself that I am here. To a person in a dark space right now, the advice I’d give is try to think of the good things. (In a different way) . Try small things, like- “my lungs are helping me breathe, my skin is my shield, I can see out of both my eyes” until you can get to a point where you can say, every hard day where I thought I couldn’t anymore- was wrong. Everyday has been a fight and I am winning”. Self care is being grounded with yourself and breathing. The best thing we got!  This concludes our Mental Health Awareness Month Reflection. Thank you to Drella for being so open to sharing with our community. Feel free to journal on your own or leave a question or comment if anything has resonated with you! We look forward to seeing you on the wood! Stay Lucid <3