Meet Anabell Ruiz | Small business owner & Mama

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anabell Ruiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anabell, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
What started off as a “Side hustle” for me has turned into so much more. When I started Dom|n|co. I needed an artistic outlet because we were in the middle of the pandemic, and I was used to using those outlets at work as a hairstylist. With a lot of unknowns of the pandemic I wanted to make my son some cool Los Angeles inspired kid fits. So the focus has shifted with every year and honestly monthly. I have two kids, Dominic my 6 year old which has been my inspiration from day one, especially because I was not feeling all the kids clothes I found around town. And now I have a little girl Camila Rue 7 months.

In the beginning I had all the time in the world because salons were closed. I researched small businesses , spent hours online trying to educate myself on how I can make this a thing., and focused on what caught my attention. I kept working on my own marketing and eventually down the line started an online shop.

Some months I’m way to busy with Dom’s sports schedule so my focus on Dom|n|co. Takes a backseat. And I’m transparent on Instagram and tell everyone sorry shops closed I’m busy “being mom” and everyone continues to be supportive and shop small when the shop has new drops. The thing I love about LA and Angelenos they are LOYAL! I love this city to its core, and happy to raise my kids in this culture filled environment.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to say I stick to basics when it comes to my clothing designs, And I’ve gotten alot of feedback from customers saying “I love how simple your LA stuff is” which is so nice to hear cause I only designs basics that I would wear. Sometimes I look back and think how did I even get here with starting a small clothing business!? It was NEVER something I had thought about and here I am. Im proud of learning everything from details of wrapping an item to how to ship tons of orders from home. Sometimes I would finish working at the salon and come home to 17 orders so I would cook, do Dom’s bedtime routine and drink a coffee at 9pm so I could finish those orders by the morning. Wasn’t easy balancing at times but when I had a crazy week filled with orders I would shut down the site until I was back into a good space mentally. Having this business has been great in so many ways but I continue to post that my family comes first so if it’s the holidays I might not open haha. Learning lessons have been, let the customers know you are doing this all on your own and it’s not being mass produced and won’t get to you like an Amazon package, so if you want it in a week I’m not your shop, everyone knows that and is sooo extremely kind and understanding. Like I said people thag support small businesses are the best, they just want to support.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I usually end up in Highland Park! I moved there when I was single in my twenties and it was still super sketch, now it’s gentrified but it has its old school LA vibes and spots. Delia’s on York has the best breakfast and os owned by my clients family. They have the best burritos! If you’re in the mood for some tacos or raspados Jugos Aztecas is the jam! When I used to go out more I’d hit up La Cuevita for drink, it’s old school HP good vibes and music.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes to my kids, very cliché I know! But Dom inspires me every day, He’s got that artistic gene in there drawing the same picture wether it’s Mookie Betts or Spider-Man until he gets it right. Makes me continue to do everything until I get it to where it feels like and authentic to who I am and what I stand for. And now my little girl Camila is inspiring me continue to grow my business to have something to help them get a jump start at life, wether it’s college , art school or hey maybe they want to travel the world and make their own paths to happiness , whatever it is I want them to know their first generation immigrant mama was out here grinding it out for them.

Website: Domnco.com

Instagram: @dom.n.co

Image Credits
Family photos taken by Instagram Mitchell Johnson @sonny.littebear