San Clemente, CA — In a world crowded with disposable tech accessories, Orange County founder Laura Schwab is proving that even the most utilitarian objects can be beautiful, meaningful, and soulful.
Just weeks after launch, ALMA, a wireless phone charger created by Schwab’s San Clemente–based startup Addition, earned a coveted spot on Town & Country magazine’s list of “50 Best Luxury Gifts You Can Score for Under $100.” The magazine praised ALMA as “the choicest way to charge your phone while on the go,” placing it alongside iconic luxury brands like Chanel, Tiffany, and Versace.
For Schwab, the recognition is validation of a vision years in the making.
“When Town & Country includes you in the same gift guide as Chanel, Tiffany, and Versace, you know you’re doing something right,” Schwab says.
From Luxury Automobiles to Luxury Presence
Before founding Addition, Schwab built a career at the highest levels of global luxury and innovation. She previously served as President of Aston Martin The Americas and later as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Rivian, where she helped shape the brand narrative of one of the most talked-about EV companies in the world.
While the industries may seem worlds apart, Schwab sees a direct connection.
“It all comes down to attention to detail,” she explains. “Luxury isn’t about excess—it’s about intention.”
That philosophy is at the heart of ALMA, Addition’s first product and the company’s flagship statement.
Meet ALMA: A Charger Designed With a Soul
ALMA is described as the first oval wireless phone charger, designed to attach seamlessly to the back of a phone. Unlike bulky battery packs and tangled cords, ALMA recharges wirelessly on a pad and is designed to feel as elegant as it is functional.
Retailing at $85 individually or $170 for a set, ALMA is available in bold, design-forward colors—from bright yellow to ruby red—and comes in 17 distinct designs across three finishes. A patent is currently pending.
The brand’s storytelling reflects Schwab’s emphasis on presence and experience:
“Why would anyone carry a clunky brick and cord dangling from their pocket?” reads the Addition website.
“With so much beauty in the world, there had to be a better way—something effortless, something whose very form could surprise and delight.”
Appropriately, “ALMA” means soul or spirit in Spanish, a name that reflects Schwab’s belief that technology can enhance—not interrupt—human connection.
“Presence really is the ultimate luxury,” Schwab says. “ALMA is for the moments you don’t want to leave—the sunset, dinner with friends, the connection with someone you love.”
Built From the Ground Up in Orange County
Launching Addition was, by Schwab’s own admission, the most challenging undertaking of her career.
“This is the hardest, most rewarding project I’ve ever done,” she says. “A clean sheet of paper gives you endless possibilities.”
The journey wasn’t without obstacles. Multiple engineers initially told Schwab that her vision wasn’t technically possible. Ultimately, a team of South Korean engineers helped bring ALMA to life using advanced lithium-ion battery technology.
“The technology was far more complex than I expected,” she says. “But we refused to compromise the design.”
That insistence on excellence extends beyond consumers. ALMA can be fully customized with logos, colors, and designs, making it a standout option for luxury hotels, premium brands, and corporate gifting. Bespoke ALMAs have already been created for The Carlyle Hotel, Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Voluspa, and other high-end partners.
Robert Louey, Chief Design Officer at Addition, sums up the ethos simply:
“We wanted everyday necessities to feel like seven-star hospitality.”
What’s Next for Addition
While ALMA is just the beginning, Schwab confirms that the company is already working on new variations and derivatives of the product, staying true to Addition’s mission of elevating everyday essentials.
“We started Addition to create objects that add something meaningful and beautiful to people’s lives,” she says. “This is just the start.”
For Orange County’s startup ecosystem, Laura Schwab represents a new kind of founder—one blending luxury, technology, and emotional intelligence into products that don’t just function, but resonate.