Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bobby Lerma Jr.. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Bobby, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?

Blue Monkey was born from a simple goal: to move beyond the “standard print shop” and create apparel that actually feels like art. As a graphic designer, I teamed up with my dad to turn my daily design experiments into a collaborative studio. What started as me posting daily concepts on my personal Instagram has grown into a full-service creative hub. Today, we don’t just print shirts; we collaborate with local artists and provide branding solutions for fellow entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a local creative or a brand-new business owner, we’re here to help you turn your vision into high-quality merchandise.

Bobby, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Bobby Lerma Jr., a graphic designer at Blue Monkey, where we specialize in apparel and creative branding services. My journey started at 18 with an iPad and a passion for sketching, which eventually evolved from a personal hobby into launching my own brand, OMO. What began as ‘messing around’ with different art styles has grown into a deep appreciation for the industry. Today, I’m focused on building meaningful business relationships and networking with fellow creatives. Whether you’re looking to launch a brand or scale a business, I’m here to help bring your vision to life through strategic design.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

As a design and apparel company, one of our most effective marketing strategies is leveraging our Instagram to showcase El Paso-inspired products. While a large part of our business involves custom printing and design for clients, our Blue Monkey storefront allows us to express our own creative identity.

We move beyond the typical “airport souvenir” aesthetic, offering unique designs that resonate with the local culture. This approach creates a natural marketing loop: when someone wears a Blue Monkey tee and gets asked where they found it, they point people directly back to us. It’s a great way for us to build brand awareness, connect with the community, and organically grow our client base.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

The design community often has a complicated relationship with AI, but for me, it’s been a game-changer for the creative process. Early in my career, I sometimes struggled to bridge the gap between a conceptual idea and the first draft. Today, I use AI as a visual springboard. It helps me iterate quickly, explore new perspectives, and get those initial ideas out of my head and onto the screen. I only wish these tools had been around when I was first starting out!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bobbylermaj & @bluemonkey
• Linkedin: Bobby Lerma Jr.