We recently had the chance to connect with Cynthia Soto Peregrino and have shared our conversation below.
Cynthia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of, though no one really sees it, is my commitment to continually work on myself. Most people measure success by what they own or how things look on the outside, but I try to focus on becoming a little better every day. I often think through the worst-case scenarios to prepare myself for failure, because it’s inevitable at times. But as long as I keep working on my character and stay open-minded, the challenges I face usually come from within, and those moments push me to confront my own resistance.
I’ve realized that I will always need to grow, and that life is constantly changing. Who I was yesterday, and what I needed then, may not be who I am or what I need today. I’m proud of this ongoing commitment. The persistence to keep going despite uncertainty, to hold on to hope, and to become a little more fearless every day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cynthia, and I am the co-owner of Indigo Prints, a screen-printing shop based in North Hollywood, CA. We are a small, niche studio specializing in 1–7 color printing, working with small to mid-sized fashion brands as well as local and nationwide businesses.
We love collaborating with like-minded individuals whose work reflects strength, intention, and substance. As a small business owner, I wear many hats—from business structure and artwork design to managing the flow of each order from client to production. This path wasn’t something I ever imagined for myself; it unfolded naturally. What I came to realize along the way is that I wanted control over my time and my life, and I was determined to create that, no matter the cost.
Starting from zero has made this journey especially meaningful. I’m deeply grateful for the people around me who continue to support, encourage, and stand by me through both successes and setbacks. While I love apparel, what truly excites me is building business strategy, creating structure, and facilitating the behind-the-scenes work that brings ideas to life. I see myself continuing to work on other businesses and creative projects in the future.
I am currently focused on personal growth and continuing my education, with plans to complete my master’s degree in the coming years. A major part of my life and my greatest guiding light is being a mom. That perspective has taught me to allow space for disappointment in business and to lead with my heart. I’ve found that this approach has been one of the greatest sources of success, both personally and professionally.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I never really thought of myself as a pessimist, but I’ve realized I was pretty hard on myself and I didn’t question it. I truly believed I wasn’t smart, that I wasn’t meant to achieve much, and that the kind of success I dreamed about just wasn’t for me.
Looking back, I can see how that mindset held me back from taking bigger leaps when I was younger. When you believe you’re not smart enough or worthy enough, you convince yourself you’re simply “not meant” to become the person you want to be.
That way of thinking can really limit success. The whole idea of something being “meant to be” can sometimes feel like a way to avoid taking responsibility for our choices and for our failures.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I believe that when we suffer, we really discover who we are. It’s our response to hardship that shapes our character, something success alone can’t teach us. Suffering teaches us hope, helps us learn to live with discomfort, and reminds us of our own inner strength and humbles us a bit.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Wow, that’s a tough question. My industry is actually one of the biggest contributors to unnecessary toxins and waste. One of the biggest misconceptions we push is “sustainability.”
From a printer’s perspective, we’re a bit of an unnecessary niche business. And while I really appreciate that many companies are trying to use better materials, reduce water, and save energy, the truth is that sustainability often has less to do with good practices and more to do with constant consumption.
A lot of brands still operate on a make–use–dispose model, yet they market themselves as sustainable while producing things that really aren’t. It’s honestly baffling.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
It’s a bit of an odd question, because I usually think of “legacy” as something that belongs to very important people. But I guess we’re all important to someone, and I don’t really care too much about legacy. I hope what stays behind is my sense of wonder about life and I think what will be most misunderstood. When you’ve been doing the same thing for a long time, people start to assume that what you do is who you are. They see what they want to see, not necessarily who you really are. In that way, I think we’re all misunderstood, and there isn’t always a way to fix that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.indigoprintsla.com/
- Instagram: indigoprintsla
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/indigo-prints-north-hollywood-2
