Meet Caroline Mendonca of Fixe Studio in Boyle Heights

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Mendonca.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Caroline. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Fixe Studio was started out of necessity and when I finally got the guts to just go for it! I was laid off from my full-time job after a 3-week vacation to Thailand. The night I returned, I got a call from my former boss. That’s it? What do I do now? Of course, I took some time off, got myself together, and since then never had to work a standard 9-5. I’ve worked along some great brands and creatives throughout the years and I realized that the industry was lacking a few things. I know I wanted to put my skills and experience into something more. People I would meet or the brand owners I worked with always had the same questions and walked the same path. With Fixe Studio, I wanted to bring that all together and build a one stop shop. The proper space came up in the industrial side of Downtown and well it just made more sense to open doors and become better established. Our open door policy has allowed us to meet some great people and build some solid relationships.

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?
Let’s just say we are still stuck in traffic but we can see the off ramp! Of course, no one said starting a business and starting from scratch is easy, and if they did they are totally lying to you. Being a young business, one thing I’ve learned the fastest is that my time is the most valuable thing. No one or anything can replace it. Understanding also that this is all a process, no one can ever prep you for or you can buy this with any degree. I learn new things every day, if it isn’t about myself, or the company, it’s the little things that help me run my business more efficiently and allow me to help creatives and brands evolve.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Fixe Studio story. Tell us more about the business.
We’re proud of the aesthetic and vibe we have set at the studio. We took an abandoned warehouse and have 2,400 sq. ft. and divided into 3 parts. We have our Warehouse area, the Creative Agency side and the Production/Photo Studio that has endless possibilities.

We work on all sorts of projects ranging from apparel, web and product design, advertising, product development, e-commerce and logistics on our Brand Management side. With Fixe Studio, we’ve created an environment where we can nurture brands, create, execute, strategize and guide them after they’ve launched to obtain their maximum potential.

Our photo studio is open to all creatives big production or small. We rent out our make-up station to make-up artists and the space for launch parties and events. We take pride in the fact that our studio has a great Cyc Wall and is an open floor plan instead of a lock out studio. The possibilities are endless.

The thing I’m most proud is our vibe. I feel we have made a creative, inspiring, nonconforming, and safe environment for not only ourselves, but for others. When they come in they get work done, they have some fun and we get to connect on common ground. We love to start new projects and work with new people.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t think luck has played much in my life and business. I think if you work hard, play hard and are a good person you will get what you deserve. I’m not necessarily a lucky person, I am just trying to work my hardest right now so I can enjoy my life when I’m older. We all have to put in our time, regardless if you came from money, things got handed to you or you came from nothing, I have the same 24 hours in the day just like Beyoncé! haha `

Pricing:

• Full usage of Corner Cyc Wall and Production Area – $60/hr
• Paper Backdrop and Production Area – $40/hr
• Inventory E-Commerce Warehouse – $500+
• Advertising & Design starting at $200. We work with budgets so feel free to contact us!
• Event/Space rental (workshops, launch parties, event, etc) $150/hr

Contact Info:

• Address: 622 S Anderson St., # 107,
  Los Angeles, CA 90023
• Website: www.fixestudio.com
• Phone: 213 863 9894
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fixestudio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fixestudioLA
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FixeStudio
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fixe-studio-los-angeles

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.