Hi Ariel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My parents made Lakewood our home in the late 60’s. I attended local schools and earned my degree in Business Administration from Cal State University Long Beach. I’ve had a successful career developing global brands and marketing strategies for companies such as Vans Shoe Company. Now, I’ve opened my own business in Lakewood helping small businesses and individuals succeed. Alongside my wife Karmina, a teacher, and daughter Natalia we have made Lakewood our home. My family is the foundation of my professional journey and that includes my volunteer work in our community with the Rotary Club of Lakewood, Lakewood YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Pathways, Knight of Columbus, Meals on Wheels along with other non-profit organizations. I have made giving back a family affair. I hope to expand on that calling to serve and ensure the “Lakewood Way” remains alive and well. My years of experience serving on non-profit boards and my professional life have provided me the tools necessary to ensure we continue to thrive.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing is ever smooth, there is so much that goes into private and public sectors. As you can classify me as a “Chronic Volunteer” in civic engagement. It has my DNA to share my experiences, build networks and community. There has been so much going in the last seven months during this pandemic. As a public servant with roots in this community, there have been huge milestone struggles. Covid, riots, protest, local large and small businesses struggling …………. But as we have all the bad, there is a lot of good that comes out. Creative thinking across sectors and activate on it. Yes, my business is hurting but how can I still be relevant and still make it work. It’s been a rough road but have to stay strong and hold tight and make good decisions and keep on pushing.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Labwerkz printshop in the City of Lakewood. We are local screen printers for apparel softgoods and brand strategists. I am the CFO/O (Chief FUN Officer Owner) We specialized in screen printing and redeveloped the marketing for my business. What sets me apart from everyone is that I went back to the HI-5, handshakes and being endemically engaged. I built the business on a hi-5 and handshake. With some much media and noise going on, I went the opposite way. I activated and supported the community by being engaged and thinking outside the box. My shop is 1, a print shop, event space and also space for organizations to meet. So this allows me to bring people thru events and telling my story and to be connected. I am most proud of being connected to this community and able to be at arms reach. There are tons of screen printing companies and marketing people out there. Interview them as a vendor and if you connect with them, find a way to work with them. “One community, One family”.
What’s next?
Well………being so civically engaged and having a small business. Led me to step up in being the first Filipino American to be voted on the Lakewood City Council. Really exciting to be in leadership and being the voice of the people… It’s tough times right now but this is where we come together as a community and city to make sure we are building the city for the next leaders and generations to come. My job is to change…….but have our city evolve and make sure we are not passed up in bringing something to the table.
Contact Info:
- Address: 5930 Delamo Blvd
- Email: labwerkz@yahoo.com
- Website: www.labwerkzprintshop.com
- Instagram: Labwerkz_printshop
- Facebook: Labwerkz print shop
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVXVf-ULPIfV5o0BVlkbEkg?view_as=subscriber
Image Credits
Megan Carrol – City Of Lakewood Photographer
