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

Hi Vanessa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I think it’s my eye for design, attention to detail and just overall being a people person.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
From a very young age my single mother, who immigrated here from El Salvador, taught my sisters and I the importance of working hard and to be strong and independent. I started working at the age of 17 when I was still in High School. I earned how to work with people and responsibility. This helped shape the person I am today in my personal and work life. I’ve been in retail management for over 20 years now. Before starting at the Picture Framing Co in 2014 I specialized in women’s and kids fashion. I’ve always loved design and merchandising so picture framing came naturally to me. To be successful as a picture frame designer you have to have a keen eye for design and you have to be good with people.
I want the world to know that picture framing can be so fun! There are endless possibilities and luckily I know my frame and matting samples like the back of my hand so I can make the process easy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love a chill Sunday at The Huntington Library gardens, a day or night at The LACMA, dinner at Forma where they have pasta tossed in a cheese wheel (yummy!), and one of my favorite places is Deuce Gym in Venice because I believe that a consistent workout routine is important for the mind and body.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a shoutout to our vendors who always make sure we are up to date on the latest framing trends and last but not least our clients. We have the most loyal clients and from many industries from interior designers, composers, producers, the list goes on and on.

Website: www.thepictureframingco.com

Instagram: @thepictureframingco

Image Credits
Angelica Natalie photography

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