Meet Raymond Ramirez-Manzo | Calligrapher & Stationer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Raymond Ramirez-Manzo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Raymond, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
I am happy when I’m pursuing an ambition. I’m a very ambitious person, so I really need that in my life. It gives purpose to my days when I’m striving for a goal and I get so passionate about it. If I have set my eyes on something, my mind and body achieve symbiosis to let me get there. Also, when I know I am taking good care of myself – mentally, physically and soulfully. I am happy when I know that I am nourishing my body with good food, routine training, skin pampering and love. Consciously checking with myself all the time and just basically doing things that makes me feel like I get to keep my mind and spirit free.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Olive Saint Lily is a full-service fine art calligraphy studio & luxury wedding stationery design house, that provides branding work, invitations, other paper goods with that effortless sophistication to brides with impeccable taste & small businesses in the U.S. and worldwide. What sets us apart from others is our artisanal script, they’re delicate and unique – like a cobweb in the wild nature and our desire to create mementos that manifest the timeless style of our aesthetics. We have been seen on Top Wedding Publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, NY Times, Style Me Pretty, Wedding Sparrow to name a few. We had worked with brands such as Burberry, Dolce & Gabbana, Mont Blanc, Salvatore Ferragamo, Crate & Barrel and Saks Fifth Avenue. Any journey, it’s seldom that it will be an easy smooth ride but the hiccups and bumps along the way are the reasons why you get better in handling challenges that come along the way. The best lesson that I have learned that knowing your truth and keeping the fire within you burning are your best way to silence the doubts you tell yourself sometimes and the unsolicited comments other people throw at you. My brand is a manifesto to the world that I have always been proud of who I am, where I cam from and valuing the essence being my authentic self, it is a testament of what I can offer at the table and it keeps on evolving.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To eat, I would definitely suggest eating at all the different Filipino restaurants. They are usually owned by small business owners and I am all for supporting fellow small biz. Special mention would be Ord & Broadway because if you love breakfast food like me then this is the place to be. My favorite night spot to drink in LA is Garçons de Café, this quaint little french wine shop and bar in the Spring Arcade. So for a cozy night out I would definitely be here with a beret, it is optional but suggested. If you want some authentic Boba milk teas the best one is Gong Cha, particularly the ones in Koreatown and Little Tokyo. Not only are the owners are good clients and friends, you can see my custom wall mural art in those shops too. If you want to hang out in an underrated Park and a hidden gem, it would be the Angel’s Knoll. If it looks familiar, maybe because it’s where you saw Tom & Summer in pivotal scenes in the movie, 500 Days of Summer. Need I say more?

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am very lucky to have been surrounded with people who uplifted me, supported me, and mentored me. My husband who’s my backbone and showers me with affection. My small circle of friends, that I’ve fostered deep personal relationships – they are my safe place. My family, even if they are in the Philippines, they have shown me that unconditional love can be felt across any distance – pacific ocean level of distance to be exact. My industry friends, fellow creative vendors who, through the years, are always generous in sharing tips & tricks, support and time. Special shoutout to Cathleen of Curious Fox Press, who has not only been my supplier but the best industry friend that allows me to share my frustrations and triumph with such openness.

Website: www.olivesaintlily.com
Instagram: Instagram.com/olivesaintlily
Facebook: Facebook.com/olivesaintlily
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/olive-saint-lily-long-beach

Image Credits
Anya Kernes Alicia Mink Simon Ly Photography Christine Gosch Katrina Kim Allan Manzo