In 1988, my dad started his screenprinting career, a trade that became common among many from his town back in Mexico. It was typical back then for someone from Mexico to come to the U.S., join a trade, and pave the way for others from the same community to follow. The same was true for my mom’s side of the family, with many relatives also finding their way into screenprinting. This shared experience is how my parents met, and it’s why screenprinting has always been more than just a profession in my life—it’s a part of who I am.

My dad started his own screenprinting business back in 2001, driven by hard work and determination. However, challenges like not having enough help, struggling to navigate the administrative side, and dealing with the complexities of legal requirements made it difficult to sustain. Unfortunately, he had to close the business just two years later.

It always stayed with me that if I had been older at the time, I could have helped out, and maybe we wouldn’t have lost the business or our home. The good times with the business also left a lasting impression—I saw how things were better for us when we had it. That memory stuck with me, and it inspired me to pursue screenprinting as soon as I was old enough to try again.

I started printing in 2007, using small spaces, subleasing wherever I could, but I quickly realized I was in over my head. The work was exhausting, and I found myself struggling to keep up—just like my dad had all those years ago. That’s when I decided to reach out to him and asked if he would join me so we could start again together. He agreed, and while the journey hasn’t been easy—sometimes it feels like we take one step forward and two steps back—we’ve continued to push forward, fighting to reach our goals and build something meaningful.

In 2018, we finally secured a dedicated space for our business, and by 2021, we took another big step forward by getting our first automatic press. We’ve set ambitious goals to continue growing, aiming to expand significantly by 2026. One day, we hope to operate with at least eight carousels, turning our vision into reality.