Today we’d like to introduce you to Tosh Akhgar
Hi Tosh, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Baktash Akhgar, but most people call me Tosh. My journey began in Kabul, Afghanistan, where I was born and spent my early childhood. The vibrant culture of Kabul was overshadowed by the constant threat of war and the oppressive rule of the Taliban. Amidst the chaos, my parents made the brave decision to leave everything behind in search of a better future for our family. We immigrated to the United States in 1996, hoping to achieve the American Dream.
We settled in Claremont, California, where I grew up attending Mt. View, El Roble, and Claremont High School. Claremont exposed me to a rich tapestry of cultures and liberal values that greatly influenced my formative years. It was during this time that my interest in computers began to take shape. The early 2000s were a golden era for new video game platforms and the rise of online forum boards. I found joy in modifying User Interfaces on Sony PSPs, creating in-game materials, and designing unique forum signatures that stood out in competitions. The compliments and feedback from the online community fueled my passion for design and technology.
As I honed my skills, what started as a hobby grew into a viable freelance graphic design business. For seven years, I worked as a freelance designer, realizing that my talents could be turned into a professional endeavor. With the support of my family and community, I decided it was time to take the next step and create a structured business.
In 2018, I officially opened the doors of California Design Firm in Downtown Pomona’s Arts Colony. Our firm offers a wide range of services, including print, merchandise, and packaging design, design and brand consulting, digital ads and marketing design, PowerPoint design, app and web product design, professional photography, and videography and editing services. Our office space serves not only as a hub for client meetings but also as a vibrant event space throughout the month. We host art exhibitions, networking nights, creative courses like yoga and paint nights, nonprofit fundraisers, and pop-up shops for fashion, music, NFTs, and more.
Being part of the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony has deeply embedded us in a vibrant art community, enhancing both our business and the local area. If you haven’t yet experienced our downtown, we invite you to join us for our Art Walks, held on the second Saturday of every month. As the last city in Los Angeles County, Downtown Pomona serves as a cultural bridge between Downtown L.A. and San Bernardino County, offering a rich mix of art, food, retail, and nightlife for those seeking a lively experience without the need to venture into Downtown Los Angeles or Riverside.
My journey from Kabul to becoming a business owner in California is a testament to resilience, passion, and the pursuit of dreams. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to believe in their dreams and take the necessary steps to turn them into reality.
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?
The journey to where I am today has not been a smooth road. Each stage of my professional development has come with its own set of obstacles, teaching me invaluable lessons along the way.
As a freelancer, I quickly learned that mistakes often had monetary consequences. One of the early challenges was setting my service prices too low, which undervalued my work and strained my finances. Additionally, investing in cheap equipment seemed like a good idea initially, but it ended up costing more in the long run as these tools quickly deteriorated with the demands of moving from job site to job site.
However, the biggest obstacle came during the COVID-19 pandemic under California Design Firm (CDF). The pandemic created unprecedented challenges for businesses worldwide, and ours was no exception. Many businesses slashed their marketing budgets, opting instead to focus on immediate survival strategies like outdoor patio fabrication to adhere to social distancing guidelines. This shift significantly impacted our revenue, as venue rentals dropped to zero and our usual streams of income dried up.
Faced with these challenges, we had to pivot our services to meet the changing needs of our clients. One successful strategy was focusing on our existing restaurant clients. With the surge in demand for food delivery services, we offered professional photography of their menus and helped build their presence on delivery platforms such as DoorDash and Uber Eats. This pivot not only provided critical support to our clients during a difficult time but also allowed us to sustain our business.
This experience underscored the importance of adaptability and resilience. By understanding the evolving needs of our clients and shifting our focus accordingly, we were able to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth. The pandemic tested our limits, but it also reinforced our commitment to providing valuable services and strengthened our relationships with our clients.
The road has been far from smooth, but each bump and detour has made us more resilient and innovative. Our ability to adapt to changing circumstances and find new ways to support our clients has been key to our success. Through these experiences, I have learned that challenges are not roadblocks but opportunities to evolve and grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
California Design Firm (CDF) is a versatile and dynamic graphic design company located in the heart of Downtown Pomona’s Arts Colony. We pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive range of services that cater to the diverse needs of our clients. Our mission is to provide top-notch design solutions that help businesses and individuals express their unique identities and achieve their goals.
What We Do:
At CDF, we specialize in a broad spectrum of design and creative services. Our offerings include:
● Print, Merchandise & Packaging Design: Crafting visually compelling designs for a variety of physical products.
● Design & Brand Consulting: Helping businesses build and refine their brand identity to stand out in the market.
● Digital Ads & Marketing Design: Creating eye-catching digital advertisements and marketing materials to boost online presence.
● PowerPoint Design: Designing professional and engaging presentations that effectively communicate messages.
App & Web Product Design: Developing user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing digital interfaces.
● Professional Photography Services: Capturing high-quality images for various purposes, including product photography, corporate headshots, and more.
● Professional Videography & Editing Services: Producing and editing videos that tell compelling stories and engage audiences.
● Event Venue / Photography Studio Rental: Love meeting in our space? How about managing your next event at our location? We offer our versatile space for events and photography studio rentals.
What Sets Us Apart:
What truly sets CDF apart is our deep integration into the local arts community and our commitment to fostering creativity. Our location in the Downtown Pomona Arts Colony allows us to be a hub of artistic activity and innovation. We regularly transform our office space into an event venue, hosting art exhibitions, networking nights, creative courses such as yoga and paint nights, nonprofit fundraisers, and pop-up shops for fashion, music, NFTs, and more.
Customers connect with us because we invest time in thoroughly understanding their unique needs and goals, offering customized solutions to address their obstacles and threats. Together, we can create a strategic roadmap that drives sustainable business success.
Our approach is highly collaborative, and we take pride in building strong, lasting relationships with our clients. We listen closely to their needs, understand their vision, and work diligently to bring that vision to life. This personalized service, combined with our broad expertise, ensures that our clients receive exceptional results tailored to their specific requirements.
Brand Pride:
We are incredibly proud of our reputation as a trusted and innovative graphic design firm. In 2023, we were honored to be nominated as the best graphic design firm in Los Angeles. This recognition reflects our dedication to excellence and our relentless pursuit of creativity and quality in everything we do.
What We Want You to Know:
At CDF, we believe that great design can transform businesses and communities. Our goal is to not only provide outstanding design services but also to enrich our local community through creative engagement. Whether you need a striking new logo, a comprehensive brand overhaul, stunning product photography, or an inspiring event space, California Design Firm is here to make your vision a reality.
We invite readers of Voyage L.A. Magazine to explore our offerings and see firsthand how our creative solutions can elevate their brand and projects. We are more than just a design firm; we are a partner in your success, committed to helping you achieve your goals with creativity, passion, and innovation.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
Luck has undeniably played a role in my life and business, but it is intertwined with hard work and determination. One quote that has stuck with me since I was a young adult came from a musician who, when asked the same question, responded, “The hard work puts you where the good luck can find you.” I find this to be profoundly true, as I firmly believe that hard work will always produce an outcome.
Throughout my journey, both good luck and bad luck have presented themselves, often in unexpected ways. However, it is the hard work and dedication that have consistently paved the way for good fortune to find me.
Pricing:
- Free Consultations
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.californiadesignfirm.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/california_design_firm/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrxwzsFr7F205bi5wJwg4FA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/california-design-firm-pomona
- Other: https://www.peerspace.com/pages/listings/5b5607c1b6cd6d240003e8fe
Image Credits
California Design Firm
