Laurel Tincher
Nearly every project I undertake has the same mission. Create new worlds and ways of living, invite people to explore and enjoy them. I’m a little bit anthropologist, futurist, naturalist, and stylist. Read More>>
Rodolfo Ramirez and Andrew Cheung
Pocket Square Clothing was established in 2011 as a men’s accessory brand. Andrew and I were roommates in college. With no formal fashion training but with an architectural and business background at USC, Andrew and I sought to create a lifestyle brand beyond clothing. We found a niche in the industry and decided to run with it. We ironically didn’t start with pocket squares but rather started the company by making pre-tied bow ties. Read More>>
Ty McBride
I have worked in and around the footwear industry for 15+ years, holding key roles at major companies like Jeffrery Campbell and Solestruck.com. My time was spent building brands, creating brand image, content, direction, product development, team management and doing sales. I have always worked at small companies, always been allowed to wear many hats. Read More>>
ERIN TAVIN
I was in the theater for a good chunk of my life as an actress and fell in love with the clothing and the time period on each and every job – that is really how I learned about the history of clothing in a very hands on way (I was wearing the clothing in the theater much of the time as an actor in). When I came out from New York city to LA, at some point I started selling vintage clothing at the Melrose trading post and while there developed a pretty big following of models actresses and musicians and at the same time I was styling and costuming at that point and traveling as much as I could for my own personal happiness and exploration. Read More>>
Almy Leonsantos
I came to this country from El Salvador. I didn’t speak any English so I got a job in a Mexican restaurant. I’ve always been passionate about fashion and dreamed of having my own store. After 10 years in the restaurant business, I decided to go for my dream. Read More>>
Becky Rosenberg
I started BUTIK in late 2001. I saw a need for representation for the growing community of independent designers in LA. Having grown up in New England with a creative and sales oriented family, this was a very natural fit for me. Read More>>
Jen Berkowitz and Leila Barratt-Denyer
Jen: We met 20 years ago in NYC and became best friends. Then, a few years ago, Leila moved out here to LA. We would talk about starting a business together – I have worked as a producer in tv and documentary for a long time, and Leila was the Director of Operations and Client Services at one of the most prestigious studios in NYC, so opening a studio space together seemed like it could combine our experiences in a cool way. Read More>>
SHARON BENSASON
I came from a long line of textile and fashion oriented family. It goes all the way back to a small town in Spain called Behar in the 15th century. My ancestors worked in crafts related to Behar’s back then important textile industry. Probably it is in the genes but heroes are my parents and grandparents. After school, I used to spend time with them at work. Read More>>
Max Homami
Before the Iranian Revolution in the late 70’s, I moved my family from the Middle East to the U.S., where my wife and I started a new life living in New Jersey. The cold weather led us to California, where I ended up buying several businesses for my family to own, so they could move to the U.S. and gain traction to reestablish their lives here. Read More>>
James Huffman
When indie city entertainment was born, back in 2008, we were simply a small group of Los Angeles based writers, directors and actors who were dedicated to supporting and empowering each other. We were a make shift band of movie fans with part time jobs and farmer’s tans. Indie city entertainment is now a metropolis of New Media mash ups, marketing mayhem and social media meshugenah. Part Mixtape. Part Magic Show. Read More>>
Soon Chon
Always had a passion for the fashion industry. With pure love for the arts and creating something out of nothing. At the age of 15, started designing and creating my own hats with scraps of fabric, pins, buttons, etc. Anything that was different. Read More>>
Brad Adams
As an avid cyclist, my passion for bags lies deep in the roots of who I am. Everything that I stand for is totally backed by my passions; whether it’s vegetarianism, US manufacturing or living as car-free as possible my passions define me. And believe me I’m making a big statement. Read More>>
Julie Floyd
I started Classic Kids in San Francisco in the 1990’s after my husband was transferred there with his company, Hyatt Hotels. I had a law degree from Northwestern and a good job as an international tax attorney in the Midwest, but was bored as a lawyer and wanted do something with the photography skills I had gained with the birth of my first baby boy (I now have 4 boys!). When my first was born, I was so besotted with him, wanting to capture for eternity every little detail. Read More>>
Alex and Steven Lunardon
Antonio’s Pizzeria is one of the first Italian eateries to open its doors in the San Fernando Valley (1957), originally as Miceli’s. Our landmark sign of Italy’s boot, now grandfathered into the city, as well as dishes created by Antonio’s mother 60 years ago, have become hallmarks of the restaurant. Known as Antonio’s Pizzeria since 1958, we have survived every twist, turn, quake and developing food trend by serving generous portions of classic Italian dishes — like spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and our famous pizza — for six decades. Read More>>
David Assil
Madison was opened in March of 1989. We became one of the leading boutiques in the world by being one of the first to bring in lines such as Prada, Miu Miu, Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, jimmy Choo, Marni, Chloe as well as the relaunch of YSL and Valentino as well as many others. By 2008 we felt the major designers were overly saturated in the market place and began to bring in what we believe would be the new designers which our clients would love as the next generation. Read More>>
Toby Hemingway
It all started with another store, actually: Hemingway and Pickett, which I opened in 2011. That was on Sunset Blvd, just around the corner, and our focus was on art and design products. I’m not really sure how I came up with that idea. For a decade or so before that I had been a musician and sometime copywriter. Read More>>
Lora Ivanova
Lora Ivanova is an entrepreneur, artist and speaker with a knack for transformative experiences. She built her first startup at age 14 and today is founder and Executive Producer of ScareLA, the first Halloween convention, and Co-founder and CMO of myLAB Box, the first nationwide at-home STD testing service in the U.S. Prior to ScareLA and myLAB Box, Lora owned a boutique PR agency, Genie Effect, Publicity for Dreamers and Doers. Read More>>
Manouk Karamanoukian
Custom Fashion Jewels remains a leading American Jewelry Manufacturer, capable of turning your own design, into finished, packaged products, ready to hit the stores. Besides being an all-around Jewelry Manufacturer, Custom Fashion Jewels is well known, and recognized, as a Silver Jewelry Manufacturer, Diamond Jewelry Manufacturer, Gold Jewelry Manufacturer, Alloy Jewelry Manufacturer and Brass Jewelry Manufacturer. Another reason is that Custom Fashion Jewels is a one stop shop, as they will take care of all aspects of your development, production, finishing, assembly and packaging. Read More>>
Jenny Schlief Morgan
What does several rejection letters and a few failed businesses look like? Pretty stylish actually. I’ve had a mediocre art career, a store that did everything right and ethically, and created a slew of other endeavors. I’m now a personal wardrobe consultant, which means I orchestrate and source everything from closet fixtures to outfits to garments. Read More>>
DIAHANNE PAYNE
I was a licensed General Building contractor in 2000’s and hurt my back building my house in Venice in 2000. As I could no longer play in the dirt and was that person all my contractor friends called with problems, (i.e., I read codes stay on top of Building and planning information) I went back to school- LA Trade Tech to learn to draw plans…A friend call with a problem (Order to Comply on violations on one of his homes) and asked if I could help…that was in 2002. …the beginnings… Read More>>
Sheldon Botler
When I arrived to Los Angeles, I had no job, no permanent home, and I knew two people. Not the strongest start. But I had saved up some money, and had a couch to crash on. So, I was satisfied. Read More>>
Maria Nicholson
I am a first-generation immigrant in the United States. I came to this country in 1989 with $100.00 dollars in my pocket given to me by my mother who at that time was still residing in the Philippines. My parents’ dream has always been to send us to America where we will have opportunities for a much better future. Read More>>
Sarah Benton
Lil Devils was opened in August of 2008 by Long Beach natives Sarah Benton and Pete Toulios. We both had professional careers and were looking for a change. We were sitting at the Queen Mary one evening overlooking our gorgeous hometown and came up with the idea to open a unique children’s store. We found the perfect location on 4th Street’s Retro Row and we ran with the idea! Read More>>
Tommy Park
Our company started from small retail business in Santa Ana, selling socks about 30 years ago. We started buying more volume as our business grew. We get better price by buying volume. Then we were able to wholesale the items we bought at volume to neighboring retailers. Read More>>
Anna Shiwlall
When I first started the company, it was actually during the recession in 2009. I had printed out flyers and literally dropped them off door to door on my bike because I didn’t have gas money to drive around. I was chased off by neighbors and yelled at for being on their property. Read More>>
Shannon West
A camera has been in my hand since I was thirteen. I started taking photos up noses and laughing at the funny (and often unflattering) results. Gratefully, I’ve learned how to take flattering pictures over the years – no more nose shots I promise! I began working on film sets in college as a behind the scenes photographer and during that time I discovered my love for documenting candid moments. Read More>>
Chris Yuhas
I’ve been a fitness fanatic since a young age playing 15 years of competitive ice hockey. After hockey, I developed an interest in bodybuilding. With that interest in bodybuilding was a signal to become even more knowledgeable with sports fitness and nutrition. A strong passion developed regarding how to properly diet for cosmetic (bodybuilding/modeling purposes). Read More>>
Fox and Jeff Garza
Were married and we started Foxhole in 2011. Fox is a denim designer, tailor, and is obsessed with denim. Jeff is an Army Veteran and has always been a wanderer and a collector. We make lots of stuff from recycled materials and have been doing so since before we ever met. Read More>>
Cap’n Jim Cirile
I founded Blackbeard for Men in 2012, when I discovered a wintry forest creeping into my dashing pirate goatee. I tried dyeing and it didn’t work for me. It was a time-consuming, arduous application process, and then only a few days later my gray roots were showing. Read More>>
Jeremy and Claire Weiss
I was fresh out of high school when I met Jeremy. He ran and managed a skateboard shop in N.J. called Small Empire. My best friend Bryan Sheffield skateboarded so I would frequent the shop with him. Jeremy was a couple years older than me. Read More>>
Jacob Patterson
Think Tank Gallery is in a transformative place at the moment, since we’ve been forcibly removed from our venue in DTLA. But our company has had to move multiple times in its history, and in fact the first time we got “kicked out” of a space was the best thing that ever happened to the gallery. We started at the Brewery Art Lofts, but our tendency to host live music and give away alcohol was not kosher for the famous art colony, and we had to leave. Read More>>
Florence Bertheau
Flo’s journey of ‘health through food’ balances her company values of fresh and raw food nutrition with social and environmental consciousness; being aware of how what we eat affects the earth and all animals that live on it. Purchasing seasonal and local, she is able to provide the best quality products that are cost efficient, reduce the carbon footprint, all cooked with the intention for your good health. Read More>>
Zac DelVecchio
As so many college students know, finding a part time job they like while being a full-time student is beyond tough. Never mind just the studying, but as students living their lives, friends and going out is just as much a priority as anything else. That is how I felt a few years ago and realized there had to be a better solution. Read More>>
Nathan Cartwright
The Hive Gallery and Studios was created in 2005, by myself, Nathan Cartwright. I had been curating underground shows in what is now called the Arts District for about 4 years before starting the gallery at a place called Hangar 1018. This was one of the only places downtown to see music and really amazing, emerging artists in one large place. Read More>>
Jena Priebe
Nearly ten years ago, I came to The Spring Arts Tower as an artist sharing a workspace with other enthusiastic artists. The Downtown Los Angeles Artwalk, already well established, was such a fantastic event to be a part of and The Spring Arts Tower was a very important part of it, thus giving me substantial opportunity to get my art out in front of the eyes of my fellow Los Angelinos who came near and far to enjoy artwalk. Read More>>
Jon-Paul Ragusa
I have been a woodworker for a very long time. While most kids were riding their bikes for ice cream or skateboarding, I was building their launch ramps and fixing their bikes. My dad is an Italian immigrant who came here in the late 60’s for a better life. Read More>>
Julianna Marinho
I can confidently say that I’ve always wanted to be an Interior Designer. One thing I remember growing up was that I would always change up my bedroom decor and furniture placement in my house. My parents would always notice that I loved to create a space that we enjoyed to hang out in. Read More>>
Erin Eisinger
My introduction to rugs was unexpected; I was working as a UX designer in New York when I fell in love with a Turkish-American architect. It was 2008. There were infinitely more opportunities for a young architect in Turkey than in the States, so we decided to move, though I admit, I didn’t really expect we would be there for six years. Read More>>
Bart Cooper
Moved to LA from PA because of the weather. Continued to create art. And the rest is history! Owning your own business is always a roller coaster ride. You have your great days as well as your bad days. Read More>>
Chris Blanchard
Chicas Tacos, it all started 30 years in Ensenada building homes for deserving families. And after many return visits and thousands of tacos consumed, the trio behind Chicas Tacos discovered the wine region of Baja where they met our matriarch, Carmela (AKA Chica). Quickly appreciating Carmela and her family’s style of cooking the boys knew, LA and the US was missing a true culinary art. Read More>>
Kirk Dominguez
For over 30 years I have been collecting, trading and selling records. The last 5 years I have taken my obsession w/ record dealing mobile as I now operate the USA’s premier mobile vintage vinyl record store. I specialize in hand selected and inspected high quality vintage records. Read More>>
Ziad Batal
The TICDA idea (Today I Can Do Anything) was started by my daughter (Ranya Batal) a few years ago with her simply printing a few shirts of her favorite slogan to give away to a few friends to motivate and inspire them at the restaurant she worked at. Something amazing happened shortly afterwards when her friends suggested that she should start selling these shirts because they loved the message behind this and that there was something special and empowering with the slogan. Fast forward to today with thousands of T shirts and wristbands sold and donating to many different causes, Ticda became a family business and attracted many celebrity believers such as Mark Wahlberg and touched the lives of thousands of people around the world. Read More>>
