We were lucky to catch up with Luara Pinon recently and have shared our conversation below.

Luara, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I definitely wish I had started sooner, but life had other plans. I started wrapping out of my poorly insulated, definitely not dust-free home garage. I remember one night it was so cold in my garage that brought car parts into my living room. I wrapped some car handles in bed super late into the night and woke up with vinyl in my hair. Things seemed to be going ok despite my growing pains and momentum started to gain. That was until…the global pandemic put many of us out of work. I couldn’t depend on my now slow business to pay the bills so I picked up a part-time job that eventually became full-time. The next year and a half was hard. I was damn near close to just completely giving up the idea of Pinon Wraps. A former employer linked me with a media production company to wrap some props for a commercial being shot in the West Bottoms. Being back in a creative environment where my craft was appreciated was the wake up call I needed. All that to say, there is no such thing as a part-time dream. Corny as it sounds, you can’t let self-doubt win. I am grateful for the ups and downs that have gotten me where I am today.

Luara, 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 can’t tell a story of how I got where i am without giving some credit to my first creative influence, my uncle Alexandro. Growing up on the Mexico/Texas border I would spend summer breaks with my uncle in Mexico helping him prep materials for his piñata making business. Art has always been in the forefront of my life so when it came time to choose a major in college it was instantly art. After college I was found without work in my field of interest. My friend Megan text me one day to come apply at this sign company for a production role in vinyl application. A year or so later I found myself a part of the team wrapping the brand new street car in its very first vinyl graphics. I think what sets me apart from other wrap businesses is definitely my background in art. I don’t see a wrap as just a cosmetic change, but a form of self expression and a beautiful way to share your brand/voice with the world. Another thing that sets me apart from other wrap shops is being a BIPOC woman in a male-dominated industry. Ultimately, you have to see something to believe it. I hope that being in the position I am I can be the representation I wish I had going into this industry.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

I started my business with the intention of only doing vehicle wraps but I now also offer window/wall graphics and auto detailing. Thought those might seem like they’re not related they all use similar tools and methods. Really, they all grew into the business organically and in some in some parts of the year they are the bread and butter of my business.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

For me word of mouth and referrals have played a big part in my business. Working with vehicles and peoples businesses, their trust in you is a huge deal. I think honesty and follow ups/communication is what has helped immensely.

Contact Info:

• Website: Pinonwraps.com
• Instagram: @pinonwraps
• Facebook: Facebook.com/pinonwraps

Image Credits
Tim O’Connor