Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Gutierrez Martinez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Sure, to share a bit about myself, my formative years revolved around travel and discovery by living, in what my young son finds so funny, the life of an Army Brat.
Because of this, I was fortunate to be exposed to different cultures and their cadences at a very young age and quickly became attune to what feels inviting and genuine. Add to this a degree in Psychology and several gratifying years working in the creative industry as a coordinator/producer of still photography and commercials. It is the combination and love of these experiences that lead me to create lark.
I have always wanted to do my own work because I believe the potential and rewards are endless. In this space, there are no boundaries.
Originally, lark was solely focused on a brick & mortar marketplace that offered wine, small bites and retail items that culminated around entertaining. But how was I to afford a space? The ideas of an investor or a credit loan seemed too risky – and I also knew there was more to this“dream,” but at the time I simply could not articulate it.
In the culmination of having a child and the increasing desire to share a well-lived and meaningful life, I set my sights on action. That is when everything began to get clear, bringing creative ideas to life is what I’m good at and what I love to do. Popping up in cool and interesting places allows this to happen at minimal cost.
The roaming lark communal dinner parties came to fruition when I combined what I love professionally (producing) with what I love personally (people, food, wine & design). Our first communal dinner took place late 2012 on a small patio in Huntington Beach and our 42nd dinner was two weeks ago at an artist loft in Los Angeles. In all the adventures in between lark became its own entity.
We feel so fortunate to share our creative process and experience with others (host, talent, guests), and in so many ways, we can lift them up, open up ideas and create opportunities. Lark realized is a win/win/win situation. We bring good energy to space (win), we do what we love (win) and our guests have a modern, organic and inspirational experience (win).
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We are grateful to say that every gathering has been its own unique adventure and very fulfilling. The road is not always smooth as there is so much thought, energy, and legwork behind each lark.
Time seems to be the biggest challenge – and we’ve had to juggle much of our family and daylighting commitments and squeeze in the steps it takes to make each event happen.
We have also the need to be super resourceful and smart about how we pursue our vision. Having the good fortune to have experienced a positive creative collaboration in a past profession – we put the idea of embracing people and their talents to the forefront and it has served us well.
Each lark requires something we like to call “hustle & muscle,” but even after thirty trips (exaggerating to get the point across) to/from a location, there is something rewarding and purposeful about the physical aspect of set-ups and break-downs.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lark – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Lark specializes in creating spaces where people can gather around a communal table and connect over food, wine, design, and conversation. In doing this, we organically bring awareness to places, people, and things.
We are proud to share we are talent forward; whereas there is no hierarchy, we are all here working shoulder to shoulder in full collaboration. We are self-generated, creating opportunities to share our passions.
The fact that lark is progressive and malleable sets us apart – and our creative edge (eye) constantly propels us forward.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We are looking to pop-up up more frequently and to expand our reach further into Los Angeles, San Diego, and Wine Country. As for changes, we do have a few areas on the burner, I’ll try to encapsulate them here.
First, we are a small operation, wearing many hats – and we are looking for talented people who like to wear them (hats) so we can grow.
Grow into what? We would like to:
-Provide more offerings around creative content and product placement.
-Expand our marketplace by retailing well-curated artisan items.
-To step things up by collaborating with fun and inspiring Art Director types or creative businesses; perhaps allowing for a lark take-over.
-To create a beautiful and inspiring book or magazine about lark.
-Delve into doing more social good, how can we best align our values to help others?
Overall, our goal is to live an intentional lifestyle where the lines between work and play are blurred and it is simple, inclusive, and inspiring to others.
Pricing:
- Our dinners $125. per person, all inclusive good vibes, four-course meal & wine pairing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 227 Elmira Avenue #A
Huntington Beach, California 92648 - Website: www.larkartisanmarket.com
- Phone: 714-366-0102
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letsgoonalark/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/letsgoonalark/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LarkArtisanMrkt
Image Credit:
Mitch Maher and The DeLaura’s
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