Meet Samera Arkel | Event Space Owner and Interior Designer

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

Hi Samera, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was inspired by my dads story’s … Let me share …

I’m first generation American born. My father worked many hard-handling jobs in New York soon after he migrated from our country, Jordan. My father married my mother at 18 and came to California with six bucks in his pocket.

His first job in Los Angeles was as a gas station attendant, where he convinced the owner to let him resell the used tires from their customers that usually get tossed out in the trash bins.

A year later, Goodyear recognized his high sales and his ambition, and they offered him a franchise store.

So thinking and doing outside the box at a young age is familiar to me – I learned it from my dad … Here is how it all started …

I wanted to be in fashion but didn’t want to go to school, so I interned for LA’s top trending designer. Let me just say it was a very tasking company to work for with lots of demands and expectations. After my internship, they offered me a desk job, that I refused. My options were to get paid a small starting salary or continue working for free while I learned about every department in the company. I choose option two- free Internship where I created my schedule – I can’t get fired, right?

I supplemented my income by freelancing as a cosmetic rep and worked as a temp for two other companies. Later I worked for the same designer’s showroom in the DTLA fashion district as a sales rep selling designer brands to high-end boutiques. Six months later, my boss and I had an understanding that the showroom only has and needs one boss and that was her.

My under shadowed knowledge from my internship mastered the internal Boss Woman. With all my connections and resources I opened up my shop in Culver City called Last Chance Designer outlet in 2000. All the merchandise was on consignment
“ literally means pay as you go “ and voila, years later I was voted best boutique outlet from LA Times Magazine.

Currently during Covid I had to close my two storefront boutiques shops and I turned them into an event space / pop-up and it’s been an awesome transition. This new and promising venture has continued to let me be the entrepreneur mom that I’ve built myself to be.

What should our readers know about your business?
I don’t quit and one of my somethings, is my genuine welcoming personality that allows people to feel comfortable and be themselves. Honesty is a virtue, understanding people’s situations with empathy and helping others with their something.

I have a ‘no-quit-attitude’, which is a big lesson I have learned along the way and in my humble opinion the one thing on which my business success is built.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
How To Spend A Perfect Weekend In Gorgeous Altadena and Pasadena

Altadena and Pasadena is well known for its legendary and historic places like –
The Rose Bowl and flea market
JPL / NASA
CalTec
Norton Simon Museum
Huntington Library
Just to name a few, but what people really love about this town is our hidden gems like the multiple hiking trails with waterfalls in Eaton Canyon. Around the block you can head over to Wellema hat company where you can get a custom hat made… Amara Cafe is next door for paleo pancakes and other vegan options. Or a nice brisk walk to an artisan farmers market in the park with rolling hills where people picnic and drink the Vino while the kids play ball. For unique market finds, Allen market has pretty imported chocolates and jams while picking up fresh deli and seasoned meats. Heading into Pasadena you will have to have a tossup on how to spend the day with so many places to see like the beautifully architectural City Hall or the Langham Hotel nestled in the residential area of San Marino. Old town Pasadena covers Vromans for a bookstore fantasy or A play at the Pasadena Playhouse. If wanting a more mellow vibe then head a few blocks over to Lincoln Ave for a afternoon butterscotch latte at Highlight Coffee Then cross the street to a woman owned handmade pasta shop called Semolina Artisanal Pasta..where you can pick up Italian hand packed marinara sauce. Or the Little flower bakery and cafe. And not to forget Whiskey tasting at Stark Spirits Craft Distillery. And if you feel you need to see everything at once take a drive up Angeles Crest for spectacular views.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been so many wonderful mentors,and friends that have helped get me to where I am right now. This new adventure shoutout goes to my dear Friend Marcus Stark who has kept me spiritually lifted, emotionally balanced and educated on quick actions on survival during Covid 19 closures. Taught me how to be consistent, persistent and resilient. This out of the box thinker helped me reinvent my fashion boutiques to a successful event space that I enjoy moreover. With his intellectual knowledge as an architect and savvy business owner himself he has helped me uplift my locations with simple structures using recycled materials and free finds…

Marcus Stark
https://www.starkworks.win

Instagram: 409Woodbury