Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyle Lopez
Hi Lyle, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
First, I want to say thank you for inviting me to share our story and be featured, we really appreciate and admire what you guys do!
To start, to give you a background, I am a Filipino immigrant, an artist and graphic designer by profession, and an entrepreneur. Back in 2020, one of my former businesses was extremely affected during the pandemic, I had to switch to online teaching, some ecommerce, and other things, as the saying goes: ‘When God closes a door, He opens the roof!’ lol, and in 2021 I started to look for something I can pivot to, that still utilize my artistry, and at the same time give joy to my target audience which are the kids and families, and all about ‘experiences’ and not just about ‘selling’. So as a result, I stumbled upon food art, specifically cotton candy art, although I am not a chef or do not have any formal training in the culinary field, with my basic skill in cooking combined with years of being an artist, topped with the motivation of giving ‘joy’ after the dark pandemic period – I created.. (drumroll..) Artsy Cotton Candy! I started learning and studying cotton candy and a couple months in, we started joining some local weekend markets, and feedbacks from customers were highly positive. We did that for a few months while still perfecting the craft, and we also started to look for a short term temporary kiosk or concession spot to get more exposure, which we managed to open one in Ventura, and one in Woodland Hills. The Ventura branch was for only for the holiday period of 2022, and the Woodland Hills one was a one year term. We got really known in both areas and surrounding cities and were always busy especially on weekends. After a year, we decided to not renew our location’s lease and just focus on bookings and events to cater to all the customers who wanted to have us for their parties/events. As of now, it is still unsure if we will open up another kiosk again, since our customers have been keeping us busy booking us anyways.
For about two years now in doing events, we’ve been booked to numerous areas around LA, OC, Ventura county, and a few far ones like San Francisco, from a simple birthday party, to weddings, conventions, proms, fundraisers, etcetera. From a small family backyard party, to a celebrity mom’s kids party to a confidential high end client.
Artsy Cotton Candy is really a business of giving joy, as you see the eyes of the kids light up as they see their cotton candy artistically and magically being created in front of them, customizing the designs base on their party theme, we truly are giving them a unique experience they will remember.
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?
I don’t think the are any smooth roads to any business, and ours is no different. We have to learn some things on our own by our mistakes, some common ones are: hiring the wrong people, dealing with difficult clients, accepting wrong collabs/partnerships, etc etc, all these really are just for you to decide if it will ‘make’ or ‘break’ you. You always have to look for the silver lining all the time!
Personally, from having a fulltime day job to transitioning to managing co-artists, freelancing, and self promoting my art, to the food and events industry, from an employee to self employed to a small business, you can imagine the ride we were in, and still in! Being an Entrepreneur has it’s struggles and rewards, definitely not for the faint of heart! What kept me pushing through is that I know my strengths and purpose of why I started this and with my faith, as long as my intentions and purpose is being used, I know everything else will fall in to place. I don’t want to sound too religious, but I know as stated in the bible, Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” all my endeavors, career or business wise, I felt that I had to, or was led to create and start them at that moment, and true enough, I see it being confirmed in our client’s smiles.
We’ve been impressed with Artsy Cotton Candy, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Being always professional and respectful in dealing whoever our clients are, giving a fair and reasonable rate, and making sure we always add value and elevate our client’s events is what we always aim to do.
We specialized in Cotton Candy Art for events. From birthdays, weddings, school or corporate events, quincenera, baby shower, etc, our cotton candy creations will sure to liven any event!
We service Southern California area, from Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino counties, and beyond!
We can do customized cotton candy art too for companies conventions, product launch, pop ups, and more.
If you want something unique and eye catching, and ‘live’ where your guests can experience, then book us!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Our Instagram @artsycottoncandy have frequent updates on events we’ve done so you can always catch us there.
We reply quick on any inquiry or questions about bookings, we get booked on most weekends, so the earlier you reserve, the better!
We can also take inquiries on our website: www.artsycottoncandy.com
If you want to check out my own artist Instagram page, it’s @lylelopezart
Thanks, and stay blessed!
Pricing:
- booking is per hour rate
- Ideally minimum 2 hrs
- Rate depends on location, date and time
- Pls pm or email
- [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artsycottoncandy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsycottoncandy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artsycottoncandy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ArtsyCottonCandy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@artsycottoncandy
