Meet Cynthia Archuleta | Refinery Worker, Real Estate Investor & Cocktail Enthusiast

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

Hi Cynthia, what do you want people to remember about you?
The most important thing is to make sure that you’ve been true to yourself, and you’ve lived your life the best that you could. Perhaps everyone will ask themselves “What are you going to do with the time you have?”’ or you reflect on the impact you’ve had or could have. I was lucky enough to work with my father as a teenager in a machine shop, I got certified as a machinist, went to school for mathematics, and eventually found myself as a Head Operator at the Chevron oil refinery during a time when females were the exception. I’ve started a rental business and more recently have begun ground-up construction of a mid- century inspired home in Big Bear, CA. One thing I was taught by my parents and that has been important to me was not to let traditional gender roles limit your path. When I was younger, I didn’t realize how important that would be to other young females – to see someone like themselves working in a male-dominated industry. But it was, I’ve inspired women to pursue other avenues, like being a long-haul trucker, because they’ve seen another female break that barrier – I’m privileged to have sparked that confidence in them.

Additionally, I’d say living to the fullest means continuing to be curious and pursuing things which bring you fulfillment. Mixology, craft cocktails, distillation and all things spirits, i’m continuously honing my skills in this space and hope to get more involved as time goes on. There are few things more enjoyable than making and presenting a perfect cocktail. It’s an art – down to the temperature, the glassware, the ice, the garnish, the creation of an atmosphere. That i can make something special and offer this to friends, families, strangers – making their lives a little fuller, to me, that’s a real contribution.

I’ve found that by living authentically you’ll make a lasting mark on those around you.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ll speak to challenges and lessons learned.

I feel like getting to where I am today has been an uphill battle. You make some money, you lose some money when you take chances. You’ve got to be resilient. Get knocked down, get back up and keep getting back up. A hard lesson to learn is cutting losses quickly. Small issues can grow into very large ones.

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.
My itinerary might include:

Salsa and beer for Mexican food in North Hollywood is worth the trip. Upon being seated they serve their staple warmed bean dip with chips – delicious. Get there early as parking and wait times can get difficult.

Los Angeles has a pretty decent Tiki scene – Broken Compass in Burbank for Tiki drinks. Try the banana hammock and a burger.

Catch a sunset in Manhattan Beach, there is a mix off old, new, dive and upscale spots – some with views.

Stroll through Little Tokyo and get sushi, ramen …or a godzilla figurine.

Catch a LAFC home game, it is definitely something to experience.

My home is Highland Park, Ca one of Los Angeles’ first suburbs. Something as simple as walking down Figueroa Ave, going into the shops and restaurants you get to enjoy the architecture and the history of the city. It’s pretty spectacular.

And last but not least a night spent sitting in the yard sipping on a cocktail – i’ve been told I make a mean vesper!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father, who i was fortunate enough to work with side by side in his machine shop as a teen, had a big roll to play in my trajectory.
Shout out Papa!

Instagram: @tired0fsleeping

Image Credits
Anthony Baldino
Melinda Archuleta