Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Soto.
Hi Cynthia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I never imagined doing what I do today. Owner of a screen printing shop was never on my goal list. I’m not really sure when I started it, I guess you just take it day by day. The small actions you do throughout your day become part of this much larger journey and you don’t realize that you are always moving. I was exposed to screen printing in college and fell in love with it. I had a great teacher, Stephainie Sabo and she was my first introduction to print. After that class, I began printing my own shirts at home, in my boyfriend’s garage. I remember exposing screens on my bathroom floor and running outside to hose them down. Reclaiming screens at the carwash using their pressure gun, only having 5 minutes to get the job done. The first t-shirts I ever sold were at school with a “Fuck Sallie Mae” text. Yet, it never dawned on me I would be doing this almost a decade later. I worked for a shop in LA where I was introduced to screen printing in a more professional manner. No clue that screen printing would be a lifelong partner. It was there where I realized I did not fit in and I just wanted to find a home. I decided to start my own shop. I love what I do, but at the same time as I evolve, I change and I adapt to my environment and my perspective changes. I don’t see myself doing this forever, I expect someone younger and more creative will one day take my place but I love what I do and I love helping people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, I think it would be too easy. Like many mom and pop shops, we started with very little cash, no credit, no loans business-wise, no cash flow to move. For many businesses, this is a big obstacle to overcome and when you think you are over it something else happens that sets you back. Then you have personal obstacles that make it almost impossible to continue. I had miscarriage in my second year of starting my business and I fell into a black hole. I didn’t think I had the energy to continue. I don’t think people understand the uselessness and pain you feel when you grieve. I’ve never shared this publicly but I think it’s important to my business because going through that gave me the strength to continue to have that willingness to get up and continue. For every obstacle you face, you have to be able to get up and give it your all even if you are just going to fall again. Resilience is the real challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We are a small screen printing shop In North Hollywood. We craft custom screen prints for people who are looking to start their own brand. We guide people through the process of screen printing and help them make decisions such as inks, fabrics and designs. We are known for a keen eye for detail and patience. We don’t rush our clients to make an ill-informed decision. We value the products that we help create so it is extremely important to us to make sure the client is happy with their product. From the blank apparel to the print quality, it is imperative that our clients are confident about their products. This is the best way we can service our clients and create better relationships. We listen to our clients, their needs, their brand, their style and help guide them. We want readers to know that we care for your products and that is why we love to work with people who care about their products too. This is what separates us from the multitude of print shops in LA.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me aside from my daughter and family is my sanity. It might sound odd but the more I do this, the more I realize that the best way to help people is for me to have strong roots of who I am and everything else falls into place.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: indigoprintsco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indigoprintsla/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/indigo-prints-north-hollywood-2
