The True Life Story Of A Fashion Designer Known As Coral Castillo

spk_0:   0:00
All right, all right, all right. How's everyone doing? My name is Brock, and I want to thank you so much for tuning into back to your story a podcast about real people and real stories. This is story number 21. Add on a very special guest. And her name is Cole Castillo. She's a fashion designer from Mexico City who has one awesome story. You know, I really wish I had more time to dive deeper into it. But the bits and pieces that I did get really blew my mind away. I'm really excited to be able to share her story on the podcast. And I hope that everyone stained safe, practising social distancing and just remember to be calm. We're all in this together. Stay strong. This is the story of Coral Castillo from the land of Mystery. With dreams become reality. Always listening to stories from the past, the present and the future. This is back. Okay. Well, we should. How are we doing?

spk_1:   1:21
Good. How are you?

spk_0:   1:23
I'm doing really good. I want to thank you so much for coming on the podcast. Thank you

spk_1:   1:26
for having me and take your body. Might in may.

spk_0:   1:28
Absolutely. For the for the people listening. Can you introduce yourself?

spk_1:   1:33
Um, so hello. My name is Carl Castillo, and I'm a fashion designer.

spk_0:   1:39
Nice. Nice. And where were

spk_1:   1:41
you from? Uh, I'm from Mexico. I was born in Mexico City, but I grew up in Tijuana. And, um ah u s citizen and so on. Mexican ever. I can

spk_0:   1:51
very co. I like that. Um And when

spk_1:   1:53
did you actually when did you move to the States? But just out of some one

spk_0:   1:56
1001 growing up in Mexico Azaz, the younger child now being an adult. Um, when you look back at it was it was it hard? What was it like for for the for the years that you actually lived in Tijuana?

spk_1:   2:15
Uh, it was completely different. Um, I don't think you can understand how it is to live in Mexico if you don't leave that if you are actually there. It was totally different. I live in up for, um in a poor area at the beginning, when growing up, because my mom did, they hurt a lot of money, and then we moved to a better area off the city. But when we were at the beginning when my mom was a struggle and she she is a true was a dressmaker. So, um, she was making dresses and to maintain my brother, sister and I So I have three brothers, someone sister. So it was very difficult

spk_0:   3:04
for her.

spk_1:   3:04
Yeah, and I remember sometimes we did any name. I help to eat my mind how to decide between paint branch or by in food. And so sometimes we d We didn't even have anything. So what? So it's hard. And I remember going to bed and listening to the sound of the sewing machine and waking up with the sound of the sewing machine.

spk_0:   3:31
My gosh, just nonstop. Yeah, she just did not stop. I can't even imagine that as, ah, as a mother, you know, having kids and, you know, going through that. And I don't think a lot of Americans can even realize or comprehend what it's like. And we're so close. So we're fucking neighbors, right?

spk_1:   3:49
Yeah,

spk_0:   3:50
when you're driving because my wife and I, we went to Mexico for Fourth of July and I remember driving back in from Mexico to San Diego, right? Tijuana, San Diego and you can, like, see this shift of just the scenery and the view going from, like, really poor on the slums and then just a little bit nice, well organized. And then as soon as you get right into the, you know, the past, the border, right couple miles, it's just completely different. And it's always blown my mind that how can we be so close but so far away And, you know, for you growing up in that environment on that, definitely those types of things become who you are is an adult, right? I mean, you, the sound of the sewing machine constantly going and then years later, I mean, you're a fashion designer. Now, um, your relationship with your mom What was that like back then?

spk_1:   4:49
Um, it was hard. Um, I don't know. I my mom. I remember I wanted to learn how to. So I remember loving just seeing her cutting the fabric and transform it into a beautiful dress. And I remember she talked me. Have two hands teach and I would use that's who. Crops of fabrics, leftovers to make dresses for my dolls. When I was told your soul I wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine. And but my mom didn't want it to teach men an E. I didn't understand. She will tell me. No, you that don't don't grow up my sewing machine. Just concert, Concentrate on school, Read your books, do all of this. But no, no, the sewing machines. So every time she went out for to buy groceries or do errands, I would run and going to serve herself in machine and a star showing and try to figure out I broke her so much. And I remember the first time I was so worried. And when she found out, you scream. I me and jealousy was so, so upset because I broke up the tool that she used sister make money for us and them on. In that moment, I didn't understood exactly what it means, but she was really, really mean it. Me really mad. And then I figured it out how to use the sewing machine. I brought many needles, and I figured out how to fix is that you wouldn't find out that I use it. So I keep Cap Houston the sewing machine, and I remember making myself a top went to one of, uh, a middle school party, and everyone was complimenting that top that I met. So hey, always love it

spk_0:   6:38
for sure.

spk_1:   6:39
Making a making clothes?

spk_0:   6:41
Yeah, definitely. That's Ah, that's that's That's

spk_1:   6:44
crazy to think,

spk_0:   6:44
though, that you, at that time when you broke your mom's sewing machine, it was completely by accident, right? I mean, obviously, don't touch it, Don't touch it. But as kids, right when parents say don't touch it, don't touch it. Well, that means, uh well, yeah, I'm gonna touch it, Right, Because we're just kids. We were not even thinking, Um, now, looking back as an adult, you're like, Oh, shit, that was what made us money. That's what put food on the table, paid for rent. All of those things

spk_1:   7:09
now will be. That said, if someone breaks my seven machine, understand her even more.

spk_0:   7:14
Yeah, definitely. Do you think it was your mom saying Don't do this, Don't do this is what subconsciously kind of brought you into the world of fashion. And so you know that

spk_1:   7:25
Yes, I think my love for fashion and what I dio it becomes through my mom to see even though it was really hard for her and she doesn't She didn't see it as a something beautiful, a creative or glamorous, says we know it for her was her job if it was something that she had to do and she complained of back pain. So it was hard. It was the other side and, um, laid it on. When I graduated from college, Tree attended one off the fashion shows, the first fashion show I did for graduation from the Art Institute and some things to Scott that the signs center, um, I won that. And she's still my my designs through the wrong way. And she realized that for me, it was something they didn't

spk_0:   8:19
have for sure. I mean, abs, absolutely. I mean, your your mom had to do it to put food on the table, but for you, even when you talk about it, I see your eyes light up. I see. I see your your lips like, kind of like move back and forth because of this passion and kind of this attachment to your mom at the same time. And it's been ableto, you know, get you to where you're at today on before. How old were you when you moved to the States?

spk_1:   8:46
I was, um, 18 years old.

spk_0:   8:48
Okay, you're 18 years old. Um, what was It was a college. Was it to get away?

spk_1:   8:54
Um, so in that time on my Mary an American and there was ah, circumstances speakers. Ah, she had to move to a Spain because her husband had some properties there, so and they wanted to sell. And so my mom left and she loved me with my brother said she took my little sister and brother with her and my brother and I were in high school. So we say she we kept their apartment. She was paying for it. But we were supposed to go to school and come back. Imagine that 8 17 year old but by themselves in a permanent high school like the Qana, you can go and go drink and go party at 18 you can get a fake. Adi, I was like, who? I'm free as like, my mom was so extreme that you will never get me out. And suddenly a calf, all this freedom. And then it's like, Oh, my mom is getting married. I don't want to go, leave, do another country. You live my friends and then go with this. Live with this person that I don't know. So I got marry too, to my best friend. So I thought that that way I could stay with my friends and I didn't have to go a leaf with this person. And from that I think I was pregnant and I had a baby. But before that, we all moved to the U. S. And my son was born here, and so that's why we're here. And when I was 17 year old, I didn't understood that I like I didn't want to come to this country. I didn't know about the opportunities you have here that so many people wants to come and and they're fighting or they just wanna work and custom income so that can help the people in Mexico like it's It's really hard. And I had that opportunity, but I didn't want it because it was a thief. When I was 10 a year I didn't know anything, and all I knew was my friends in Qana. And you know, when you're a teenager and you just want your group of friends. Um, so that's that's how everything becomes. So I was forced to move here, and, um my, my, uh, my son start I lived with them for four years, will live in San E C zero, which is at the border. And then, uh, we separated after four years.

spk_0:   11:31
That happens. That happens. I want I don't I don't mean to cut you off, but I I wanna, um, just ask you a question, cause you brought you brought up something, right? Um, you talked about the opportunity that we have here in America. Compared toa medical, right? Can you exper people listening? I mean, especially you born in Mexico Now you live in America. You saw both sides, right? In the beginning, you didn't want it. And now obviously you're here. What is that opportunity that people talk about? Because as Americans, we don't realize that we we This is just what we have, right? But from people from the outside, it looks completely different. Can you explain that?

spk_1:   12:09
Okay. Here, um, hit its, um, someone like me that was born and grew up in a very put place in Mexico. I'm here in the US. I was able to to go to college. I apply for student loans. And it was easy for me because I'm now see descent. And I was in the time I was actually a resident. But I had the opportunity to apply for a college then, not even in my best dreams. I could think I could have four in Mexico. Mexico, if you don't have money and you want to go to school. I'm sorry, but you're there. You can You cannot do anything. No one is gonna help you. You don't have. Ah, um student loan story. Oh, are scholarships like it's really, really hard for someone Could, as they have the money to go study and another thing and think another snow fashion school. There is nothing that maybe there is something that will teach you how to use the industry machine or two just to see to work in a factory, but not the creative part. It's just more labour than the creative. And I don't want to be doing labor. I wanted to create what's in my head and and the sign. Um so here I had the opportunity to go to a fashion school. Teoh guy being able to work with some amazing photographers with our agency models with. And if you see my work like all of these things and winning fashion shows and winning awards like the Mafia work and Los Angeles do in L. A Fashion week like in Mexico, that would have never happened. It happened because I'm here in America. And even though I don't have money, I didn't cut it. Now a more stable. But even so, Mommy could, as they have anything if you have the talent and you look for it here and us, the doctor started opening up and in an opening makes me emotional.

spk_0:   14:19
No, I've got fucking chills right now. I as Americans, we don't realize that we don't realize that. And kudos to you, right. Kudos to you for having this dream and this vision, um and and and and and the tenacity to push and not give up. That is fucking key. But sharing that story right there, it means a lot because we don't realize what we have here in the States. We everything from student loans, toe just different opportunities that were given that we were are allowed here in the USA. It's not like that in the rest of the world. So many people take things for granted and, you know, for you coming on here just even talking about that and speaking about that, it says volumes. Um, and I really hope that, you know, the people listening Understand that. I mean, I didn't even fully understand it until you just even explained it through your story through your words. And that goes for many different avenues in life. It's not just fashion, right? It can be fucking tack. It can be fashion. It could be business. What? Whatever it is, there is the opportunity here in the U. S. A. If you want it on. When you first moved here, right? And did you know after, you know, after you had the kid, were you going to school or what was it come dialing it back? I'm gonna bring it back to what we were talking about before I took us off.

spk_1:   15:49
Okay. When I divorce, I didn't know how to drive. I didn't know speak English, So it was to tell us, um five. I didn't know anything. I was I was lucky that my mom, uh move close to what? I like sleeping. And when we separate it, she taught me how to drive. I stuttered doing, um I started taking English Kearse's, um so that helped me a lot. But at the beginning, it was e I don't know. I was sorry

spk_0:   16:25
about that.

spk_1:   16:25
I was completely dependent. Yes, I didn't I couldn't do anything, so it was hard. But if you really want to do something, you're gonna find a way to do things.

spk_0:   16:38
Your mom was the one that should you have. Tell you how to drive? Yes. You didn't know how to speak English at all, either.

spk_1:   16:43
Nothing, Mama. Mama steal a little kiss like a very, very thick accent. But she just thinks I love I love

spk_0:   16:51
that. I love that. Your relationship with your mom. Ah, from from this point even, you know, up to 2005 what we're talking about, Um it sounds like you guys had a good relationship. Or am I? Is it like, explain that to

spk_1:   17:08
know well, after my d bores of my separation, Um, I live with my mom with three months and three months, I've found a job. I learnt English enoughto to committing my job. And then my mom gave me a car so I can drive to work. So she tells me she helped me a lot, and also she was helping me with my my son to take care of him. But I cannot live with my mom, of course, after two months, So it was like about five months. I'm about 500 Mormon. I was able to pay the ranch. So I move out with my son. She's still was able our eyes to still help me in that transition. Eso When I was, uh, when I, um, move out till my mom's house, I started looking into fashion schools because I know that I always wanted to do that. And then I found out of the Art Institute in San Francisco that actually close sound. Uh, but even yeah, like, I don't know if I don't know what's going on. But the RNC to like most of schools, are closely now on because there's say, like, it was this. Come that got a lawsuit. Whatever. Yeah,

spk_0:   18:26
we'll get to that. We'll get to that way. We'll get to that if we want to talk about that but, uh, you, ah, kind of taken a little step back there real quick is Ah, you were saying about your mom and you can't live with her and I get that right. I'm especially a lot of growing adults a living with their parents. It comes a point in your life where it's like, OK, enough's enough. You have to break away. But on your mom still gave you the opportunity, gave you the car, Helped you with English. Yes, which is fucking key, because those are key things that have helped you along the way. When you moved out of your mom's place, did you and suddenly go up to San Francisco to go to the school or what happened?

spk_1:   19:08
So I move. I was leaving and Modesto and I was working as a human resources clerking, and I was working, um, so to go to San Francisco Abu, I asked my company to love me today. So but off the week so I can go to some friends, is gonna work the weekends. So my two days, So from North s story was driving one hour to Dublin, plus in timber is the BART station and then take barred and then draw. Go take bar for another hour to get to civic center. Where was the school?

spk_0:   19:44
Over 23

spk_1:   19:45
hours to hours, back and forward just to goto college. Sh How many days were you two or to today's

spk_0:   19:54
two hours each way. That's eight hours every single week

spk_1:   19:57
s Oh, and then there is of that. They say I was working so and you have a kid and and I had a kid. So it was like his chopper. That was tough because I couldn't spend so much, so much time with him. And I was just driving around and all the time give us a sleeping when I see him because it was really late that night and then I have to do homework and it was really hard. I don't know how he did it, but I did

spk_0:   20:20
it. But you did it. You did it. Anyone going to score right now listening is that that has a kid that has to do those long drives and just all the shit. It's hard, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I mean, there, there, if you put the hard work in if you fucking stick with it. If there is that light at the end of the tunnel but going through, it's so hard to see. Yes, And looking back now you're like, How the fuck did I even Dio? It's crazy to me telling me like I thought my school experience was created. Not even close to what you had to go through. And how

spk_1:   20:53
long were you doing that for? I did it for three years. Oh, because I was seeking I remember how many units, but usually they take a things. Five glasses by different classes. And I was taken three or four. So it took me three years to get my associates degree.

spk_0:   21:13
Oh, my gosh, That's but you stuck with it. Yeah. What was it? What was it that you didn't give up?

spk_1:   21:19
I really wanted to start a fashion. And I told you to dio I loved my instructors. I love learning. And even because before, I didn't know anything about the computers I loved you seem for a shopping list, make the drawings and the computer. And they're actually I worked for a fashion company in l. A. Doing cuts, which is fashion illustration all day long, and I love it. And that would have not be possible if I would have not attend college.

spk_0:   21:52
Wow, that's incredible. And And how long when you first started school? Um at what point re like this. This didn't feel right from the beginning. Or did it take some time where it was like, I I got this. Like it. This is in my ballpark. I'm in my element because when we go to school, we're not sure, right? But it takes time. Was it instant for you, or did it take some time?

spk_1:   22:17
It took sometimes, especially because of my sonic is like I'm giving up spending time with Hammond. And that was very important to me. And I think that was the hardest not a spending time with him. And that was years. And sometimes he to her will, told me that he had nine members like you will dream that that this monkeys will come and attack him and and then a few words looking for me and he couldn't find me. And I think it was that that he couldn't see me because I was all the time working are going to collation than doing homework.

spk_0:   22:54
Yeah, I get it.

spk_1:   22:56
So that was hard.

spk_0:   22:57
But it was It was for the best. For him, it was for the best. For you to be able to build a future and to create something for your life. It's so important that we do these things going through those two hour drives back and forth, back and forth, back and forth that had to be tiresome. I mean, I would drive an hour each way to Burbank. Um, are wherever the hell I was when I was assisting for hair and I would be so tired. What was that like for you? That had to be crazy.

spk_1:   23:29
It was horrible. I remember driving back, and I would just be crying sentence the beginning. I cried in the car until I got home. I was crying all the animal coma, Mom. And sometimes it was because I couldn't find a baby cedar because he had a baby Cedar. As like my baby cedar can't make it. Could you? Please? And my and my mom believed 30 minutes away from me south, so it she would see them fodder from coal issues. It would add me an hour more just to go back and forward to leave him with my mom. So, um, I will call her crying. She will always help me. But she's like if you're gonna gonna be like that, you need to drop something you cannot do. Everything obviously was to school because I couldn't job worked because I needed the money to feed my son and and pay rent. So is like, No, I can't. I can, I can in the thing is I'm not doing it just for me. I wanted to show also my son that if he perseveres and he works for something, he will get it. He will get a better life for, or just working what you really like.

spk_0:   24:46
I absolutely love that. I think that's ah, it's so important to be able to lead by example. All right, that's exactly what you're saying is leading by example. And when you bring this beautiful human being into the world, you want to be able to give it everything possible. And it's always the most important thing that when we do things, when we say things that we follow through on it because these little kids, they see it. We're like a fucking sponge. A. We've all been there because we were younger at one point, right? All of us were. Our brains are like sponges where we're soaking everything in. And so that that motivation that drive that didn't stop you, um, is going to reflect in the years to comment your son gets older on and going through those that just that that back and forth, I had to be freaking crazy. I mean, what?

spk_1:   25:45
Yeah, really? Waas, I'm so lucky that I never crashed. Remember? Sometimes I will fall asleep in the garden of Will find myself on the next line. Lane, I was like, Oh, my God. You put it to Sabit on and or sometimes I will drive in is like, How did I get here? It was so fast, I'd like I don't know. My mom was so tired that would get blanks. I don't know.

spk_0:   26:09
I know I did it.

spk_1:   26:10
It was crazy.

spk_0:   26:11
Did anything ever happened during that experience?

spk_1:   26:13
Thanks. Got no, no accidents. And I didn't know,

spk_0:   26:18
okay? Everything was good. Important? I think it's really, um

spk_1:   26:22
well, actually, way just This is but this. But this happened actually going to work. Okay. I was driving to work. It always Steier. And, um, my mom had an old Jeep car car, and it was Ah, it was raining. And, um, suddenly the brakes Dedham work the break. We're not work. It's working. And I was driving in my car star like jumping, and I didn't know what to dio. So, um, I don't know if you know, but that the 99 freeway and one more this story, they don't have nothing. It's just you can see the opposite side of the freeway and there's nothing that you can just go through

spk_0:   27:19
everything that's crazy.

spk_1:   27:20
And so I My car didn't stop, so I wanted to get out in the middle. There was your start and just to stop my car, but couldn't. So my car keep coin passed a the opposite side off the freeway. And there there was like, a whole um and I fall. My card did like three flips, and it was upside down. I felt like it was inside off off a blender, like you see how you see everything in low motion. My my lunch for everything was just flowing around and it was three C. And and then, um, I was worried because I was gonna go late to work because I need to take my friend. I didn't care like I called my mom, so I couldn't go out because the door was super heavy. I remember I was standing on this. My my feet were touching the door off the window door off the passenger seat. So the other, the opposite door was on my top, and I was trying to open it. It felt so, so heavy is like, how I'm going to get out of here and cars from the freeway stop. And then there was this guy and he opened the door for me, and he helped me out. And then ah, he boot like something in my hand. And then he laughed. And it was like, um ah, like, um oh, my gosh. How do you go? Like, um, like the little thing from necklace

spk_0:   29:04
Geo tassel

spk_1:   29:06
around? No, no, like a circle. Like a pendant pendant. Yes. Um, and and because the Bijan um

spk_0:   29:16
Virgin Mary?

spk_1:   29:17
Yes, and but he left. And I felt like he was like an angel because she just she just left. He took me out. You make sure it was fine. He gave me that pit end and he left. And I thought like he was in jail later on. Ah, the ambulance came and then the US me If UK Yes, Yes, I'm okay. I'm just gonna call my mom's that you can take me to work. And I remember the guys from the Midlands told me you should be in the news. You look at her. You don't seem that you were in that car because I have noticed. Cautious. I would just never is because I was going to be late to work. And if I see photos off the car now and it's like I Oh, my gosh, I can't believe I was in that car and nothing happened to me.

spk_0:   30:03
You I don't even know. Just right now, a minute. You flipped your car three times. Yes. Someone got you out of the car. Yes. Handed you a virgin Mary Penan? Yes, it left, Which That doesn't even make sense to me. Why they left. And you you were thought you were completely

spk_1:   30:27
fine. I was completely. That car was destroy. No one could use that kind anymore.

spk_0:   30:34
How is that even possible? That doesn't make sense.

spk_1:   30:37
I don't know.

spk_0:   30:39
I'm just so far forecasted right now. Um, first off, that person that came to you that put the pen in your hand How long do you remember how long he was with

spk_1:   30:50
you? For just It was really quick that he was wearing a gray suit. I remember that. He just left.

spk_0:   30:59
That's that's crazy to you,

spk_1:   31:01
right? It's super. Chrissy and I thought maybe he really wasn't NGO, I think is normally when people pull

spk_0:   31:08
over to help people out, they stay there, help him out. They don't just hand them something and then and then leave

spk_1:   31:15
on.

spk_0:   31:15
And then you're completely OK.

spk_1:   31:17
Yeah,

spk_0:   31:18
that is fucking crazy. And this was all during that time of going to school, Going to work on his golden? Yes, all of that stuff. Yeah, And you walked away with with nothing. When you look back at that moment in your life on, does it make you happy? Doesn't make you scared. Doesn't make you sad.

spk_1:   31:41
Um, actually, I never thought of that How it makes you feel now, but, um I don't know. I think someone is taking cut off me Because, um even though you know when I feel like suddenly did you cap this moment like when I was my dear bores and not knowing how to drive and and not knowing anything? Do you feel like what did you ask yourself? What did you do to for these bad things happen to you like you don't understand why all these bad things that happened to you. But I think now that it's that way to make you stronger, you don't see it in that moment. But all the struggle, all the about things. If you keep being good on us, respectful and good to people, you receive everything back and and it's just I don't know it just ah, it's just a less enough life. It's just that learning trusses.

spk_0:   32:50
Yes, it is. Yeah. I mean, you hit the nail on the head whenever we're faced with whenever we're faced with death. Especially because you could have easily died at that moment. Just like that. Most most people dio um ah, and I don't say most people do lightly because I just lost a friend a few weeks ago. Same shit. It's life. Um, and that's not to put anything away from his story. But this is your story right now. Um, it is a lesson, and it and it does make a stronger when we're faced with these really fucking hard tests that whoever is pushing at us, you can call it God. You can call it a law. You can call it your father. Doesn't matter whoever whatever you call it, Right, Um, someone putting these tests in front of you, their tests and their lessons. And if you can grow from them and look back at them and see them for what they truly are, they make you a better person, and they make the people around you better. Uh, you said some really important as I give you. If you're a good person, you push forward and and you do all of these things, Um, those things air so fucking important in your life. The energy that we put out is, in my opinion, the key to one success in this shell And this being in this life that we have, um, after that car accident, cause I'm gonna bring it back again after that car accident. How long did it take you to feel comfortable to get into a car?

spk_1:   34:26
Oh, my gosh. It was really, really hard. I will hear any nose and might my heart I can feel my heart wanted to go out of my heart. It was really couples like, No, I need to focus what I did. I will put music really, really, really loud so I can drive. And with the music really loud, it will make may be okay in the car. So that was my Terra fee to be in the car. But I forced myself at the beginning. I was super

spk_0:   34:56
scared. Yeah, that's Ah, PTSD, right. Post traumatic stress disorder, which is You don't have to go to war. You can flip your car three times and go through that. Um my mom was in a terrible fucking car accent. Same thing to call. Long time my wife Terrible cracks, even to this day. And she was a young kid. It these things that happened to us, they don't just go away. We have to work through it. And if we don't work through it, it's going to stay with us for a very long time. And for you. Your therapy was to turn that fucking music of really loud and just do it. But you know what that says to me. It's like everything you've done in your life. Your perseverance, your just fucking Let's just do it. Let's move forward. Let's get it done. Type of attitude, Which is so important. Um, Teoh, your story. Uh, after after all of that. Um, how much longer did you have for school?

spk_1:   35:54
Um, so I graduated into those. Send 12. Okay, Yes. And then I move Ah, to Orange Colony. And when I was in orange, Coney I receive I didn't wanna stay in San Francisco and that our Obama Destin San Francisco was too expensive. But there's not so many fashion houses or fashion. And there's not so much fashion industry for And my plan was to get a job. So my my brother love in Orange County. So I moved with him, and then I started looking for a job in a lay and everyone was saying No, if you want to be a fashion designer, you need a bachelor's degrees, like, okay? And I'm gonna roll again to school, so I agree. Yes. So I went to the RNC diode in Orange County to get my bachelors degrees like, No, I don't want to be the person below I want to be No way. Oh, my gosh, that's goes OK. I enroll in two years more I got my bachelors degree and then I started looking for a job and my first job was, uh, on us on assistant designer for a fashion company. Um, so at the beginning, they did thes give me this project for six months. I have to design a line of tops. And if the line off tops one, well, then I say longer. So I did the line off tops and he was their best sellers. And so the higher the signer and they put my title us an associate, the signer, which is more than being a cent assistant designer. So I become an associate designer for thes New Line and the designer, um, she didn't speak English. She was completely, um, just English. And she was really loud speaking. And she would say to, of course, all the time to the source and the sewers, no English, just Spanish speaking people that will come crying to me and I will tell me everything. And I was like, Oh, my gosh, you shouldn't be talking to them like that. They're just all the stress off because two X s very Mountie And if your affections on and most of people who has spurred can't even if you saw, you know that you cannot. That is hard. It's possible. But it's hard to makes woman's and needs official. If you so use only weapons, are you so only needs you can makes them. But you have Teoh check the shrinks like there's many things that you have to check before good women together. And she was experimented on the sewers were like he was playing her. These two fabrics cannot work, and she wanted them to sew them together. And I can. And I'm telling her that this cannot be done. And she's telling Amir, I don't know what you said and she was just challenging, cursing and telling them that they're doing wrong. And one time I talked to her and tell her you should not be talking to them, that you're just making them a stress. And if they're stressed, they're not gonna work both for you. You need them to have them. OK, so one time there was this confusion with one off the sewers and she brought up the bys president of the company, and she wanted me to talk in favour of her. But I didn't. I wasn't Faber of the Yeah, this either. So good. Um, the president and talk to me of the company, and he told me we need to let you go. Um, these designer has been talking really bad about you, and we need to let it go. She's just a very good friend of my and I cannot let her go, but I'm gonna help you to find another job. So here we got meant me to one off her. His sister has another company, so Ah, he was nice. Kiki. Meal of these resources where I can find a job, but yeah, they

spk_0:   40:09
are. You fucking kidding me?

spk_1:   40:11
Yeah, they let me go because yeah, because that you defended this or you

spk_0:   40:16
defended the right of.

spk_1:   40:20
But when? When? When you're in the side that you know, it's this struggle with Spanish speaking, and they don't know how to spurs it to the people. And you're trying to suppress it. They're not gonna listen to you the land because they're the sewers. That the workers, they have to do it no matter what it is like. No, there. Is that a recent why they cannot do it?

spk_0:   40:40
Of course. Absolutely.

spk_1:   40:41
Bed. So, yeah, so they want

spk_0:   40:45
that goes with any so many things in life, though. It's like when Whenever you're a boss, right, if you're a boss and you have people below you, the more that you yell at your people and fucking get mad at them, the less

spk_1:   40:57
they're gonna wanna work for

spk_0:   40:58
you. The less they're gonna do a good job unless you're gonna fucking care all of these things. And then on top of it for the person you you stuck up for them to get fired. Um, I'm sorry. I'm gonna say this, but fuck that. Like, screw that. That that's not right. And wait. We can cut the name of this business out because

spk_1:   41:16
that didn't work out. It's like thes if you don't work out Exactly After I left, it went all the way down it. That's an exist anymore.

spk_0:   41:27
Who freaking created the hottest line, right? That's that's what you did. Um, you're the thing that you created

spk_1:   41:34
that it was the best

spk_0:   41:36
seller, and then you stick up for the sewers and then they let you go. That's just so stupid on their part. Um, when he went through that, were you mad at yourself, remember? Like to show?

spk_1:   41:52
No, I was like, No, I can't. It's like you see in my mom being gel at Yes. No, no, exactly. Yeah. If I ever If I people helping me, I want them to be happy with her. They're creating and and being an environment that they can tell me what it's strong, how they think they can make things better.

spk_0:   42:12
Yeah. I mean, it's for anyone listening. That's the way it should be done. Obviously, it's important as a boss toe, you know, have authority in people to listen to you. You're coming under your leading people, but you have to be empathetic. Ah, of these people that are putting their blood sweat and tears in for you because if you're not, uh, they're just not gonna put the the amount of work and effort that you could get If you just cared just a fucking little bit empathy and appreciation goes a long way for people. Um, how would is that one book? I'm gonna fucking drop it, Uh, how to win friends and influence people. That's one of the things in there is to appreciate your workers to appreciate the work that they're doing. And if you do not, Well, then, you know, obviously the company that you just were talking about is gone. Now, um, after that job, what came next? So you work for the sister?

spk_1:   43:17
No. So he went to the interview and she told me that they didn't have any positions available, but she she will have it on mine if anything, Tom sowed, but, um so I started doing freelance. I did a couple of music videos where I did that dresses. I didn't like doing freelance because, you know, you don't get paid right away. You have to pay. But I think there is a lot to months of 30 days waiver Yuka They can hold your payment until them because I think they are to get pay before they see the brother, the editing and all of that. And then they get pay. So that's when you get Paige, and it's like, Okay, I need to be some something more stable for my son. I cannot be just waiting for the money and free lines. You know, you don't know when you're gonna have your next job. So I started looking for jobs, and then I found these, um, jobs that they will tell me I'm overqualified. I've or that I have too much in my portfolio. And it's like, Okay. And the reviews, my portfolio. So I figured it out that, like, at the end, I was This ESP rate is like, OK, I need to find something that gives me stability. I cannot do freelance, and I don't want to be homeless. And I don't want to be thinking that I'm gonna be homeless at any minute. So I figured out that if I apply for the technical designer, if I were applied for partner maker like, you just have to take what you need for that, not bring your whole portfolio. Because if not, they're gonna tell you Europe where qualify and they're not gonna give you the job. So I apply for, um, cut artist, which is just making fashion illustrations. And I took all my portfolio are my magazines. Like all the things that I've been doing for myself and just put all the technical to the drawings and they give me the job, uh, and elected the difference. Other difference between being on ah, associate designer and and, uh, cut out. It's cut. It is. It was just working from 9 30 to from 9 a.m. to 9 to 5 30 and you kept weak and soft and the even incise and I come work on my line off clothing that will work in this and being an associate, the signers, you have not job. I mean, you working all the time weakens too. And because you're producing in China, so you receive a Mel's up to in the morning, and sometimes you have to respond right away so you can cop your sample back right away for approvals. So I was all the time with this distress. I need to check my emails in the middle of the night so that I can get the samples early so I can do the prediction. The faster you they sooner you do all these things is the better in production. So I was always worried, and it was too many hours. So I didn't give me really time to focus on what I really want to do. That it was my own clothing line. So doing thes fashion illustration. New job. Keep me the time of having this ability for my son and doing my own line of gloating.

spk_0:   46:41
I love that. You know, I love that because a lot of people in life are not willing to take a step back. And that's what you did. You saw that. Okay, maybe I'm overqualified, which is just it is crazy to me, because, I mean, if you have these awesome qualifications, why wouldn't a company want to bring you on And ah, but but besides that, right, um, you were willing to take a step back when a lot of people I don't want to say a lot, but there are people out there, uh, that aren't willing to take a step back in life. They their their ego gets the best of them. Um, and and for you to be able to do that, take the step back. Look what it gave you, right. Gave you the opportunity to work Monday. through Friday to look it from a different side to then work on your fashion line right on. What was that? Because I don't know. I find that crazy. They There's a lot of people that just they just there to prideful Was it was it your son? Was it that you wanted to work on the line? Was it just something that happened?

spk_1:   47:46
I wanted to have time to work on my line. Yeah, and I think that and and I don't mind it like I love making just drawings And the times goes really quick because I'm just wine all day and the computer, So I like it. I'd really don't You don't have complaint. And I think it is. I really don't think it's a step back. I'm now I'm the leave cut orders. So if I had two people working under me, sadly because of the situation, we have to let go one. So I have another one, but, um, I like it.

spk_0:   48:21
When I said step back, I didn't mean step back from I wasn't saying it in a bad way, but I wasn't saying bad way at all. I was I was actually saying in a good way because you had this portfolio. You had all of these things. Yeah, cup on saying that you're overqualified, right? So if you toned things back just a little bit right, then that may be opened up the door for other things. Yes. And that sometimes people's ego gets the best of them, and they want to show everything they want to be everything they want to do everything right. And and sometimes if we just take a little step back, more opportunity come our way.

spk_1:   48:57
Yes. Yes, I understand.

spk_0:   48:59
Through it is, it really is. Um you you said something, and I guess I'm just gonna talk about you were talking about the situation. Everything that's going on right now. The Corona virus. Yeah. Um, in the fashion industry, what's going on with that? I mean, everything's got to be at a standstill right now.

spk_1:   49:16
This is scary. I don't know. Most of like the company. I worked for most of the protectionists in China, so I don't know if I was still working with still doing. I cannot tell you what. Which companies do we work? That's that. But, um I don't know. We could be be leaving cut out or hours of work. So I'm okay because now we have more time and work in a month line. So I see the good thing. But yeah, it's it's bad, it is. And people it's not buying clothes right now. Off course.

spk_0:   49:53
No, it's Ah, it's a scary time right now for for a lot of people all over the world, this happened so fast. Yeah, it would since December and then in the state since what? January February? More like march. And it's just been this is like it's like a fucking tsunami. I don't even know what the heck to say. It's just so crazy because I see so many people like my own life. She issue find was killing in the makeup world in union world walking on this set that set right all these different sets And then all of a sudden things just stopped. Yeah, And in psych, it's ah, it's a real wake up call for a lot of people all across the world. Um, from the fashion stream, music industry, business, this that and the other on. And and I hope that at the end of all of this. We we see the importance of preparation right because life is finite. It's a blink of an eye. Anything can come and go as fast as I say. The words that I'm saying right now on and it's for the individuals that prepare. You know, I people always make fun of the preppers, the people that prepped for a doomsday and things like that. Yeah, but who's laughing now? Right? With everything going a little bit crazy right now on where does your story lead? Next? What's next to you?

spk_1:   51:17
Oh, next. Well, the Corona. I don't know where is gonna go. Let's

spk_0:   51:24
just say it goes away. Right Just goes away next.

spk_1:   51:27
Um, well, I still working on the line off gloating, Ari, I have thinks, but that I have lineup, that I cannot talk about them.

spk_0:   51:41
That's totally understandable. Responded

spk_1:   51:43
that scared.

spk_0:   51:44
That is good. It's always good when someone says that, Yeah, kudos to you. I'll give you

spk_1:   51:49
thank you around

spk_0:   51:51
whenever someone says, I can't talk about it right now. That's always a good thing. Um, Theo, the the future right? It's It's a little scary and that way, but they were going on, but I do believe like anything like this. It will come and go when whatever is next for you. Uh, it's it's gonna seem pretty bright. I mean, you've just had this tenacity to just push forward throughout your entire life. Your there's a couple things I do want to ask before we wrap this all up. What is what's what's going with your mom?

spk_1:   52:29
All right? Now she just scared she's She lives close to San Francisco, and, um, yeah,

spk_0:   52:39
she's great.

spk_1:   52:39
She's fine. Yes, she's quarantining herself. Chickens, food. I'm always checking on her. Yeah, just get

spk_0:   52:46
It's important. Um, what does she think? Of all the work that you've done at this point?

spk_1:   52:53
I'm just proud of me. She doesn't say it on my face. Okay. But I have heard telling other people, like showing my dresses or photo shoots that I have John just proud of May.

spk_0:   53:06
Does that, um are you that she doesn't say to your face, but you heard from other people? War? Is that okay?

spk_1:   53:11
Uh, no, it's OK. Because she had a very, um rough. We can say a really rough child hurt him. Yes. So she's not used Teoh XPs very very expressive.

spk_0:   53:27
I get that you're able to look at it as you know, from the things that she says to her friends or family and things that you hear on and to be able to understand that and respect it. Yeah, because everyone's life is different. Um, you have taken a lot from your mom, though. I mean, from those early days of, you know, you messing up the ah, the sewing machine, Teoh, where you're at now and the things that you're working on, it's just Oh, it's so crazy to think the opportunities people are given But for you, you had to get and take, Um, and and when we were talking earlier about, uh the opportunities Americans have compared toa you know, other places in the entire world, but especially Mexico. It opened my eyes up, you know, because I've talked about it before. I know it, but I didn't realize it, but when you were talking about it, I totally realized how lucky we are. I mean, I always talk shit about student loans and all that stuff, but it's it's, uh,

spk_1:   54:36
it's voters are not having anything

spk_0:   54:38
way better. It is.

spk_1:   54:40
Yeah, me too. sometimes the complaints like, Oh, I have to pay my student loans and people say it's a skin, but, um, it you took some time roaming. I'd like you learn something. Your instructors also got something like, I'm unhappy. I I got to meet all these people.

spk_0:   55:00
Yeah, it's Ah, it's so true, cause where you just says I always talk shit about because they were $1.3 trillion in debt because of student loans. Right? Um, as as a whole in America Uh, by Thea Pertuan it ease that people are given the opportunities that the instructors were given three opportunities that the directors are given the opportunity that so many people are given. Is it Is it worth it? Probably. You opened my eyes up to something that I didn't I don't know. I didn't look front. Look at it from the other side. We just looked at it from a financial thing and from a bank type of thing, not the opportunities that so many people are given because of these things. So I appreciate that. And I thank you for that. Um, as as we wrap this up, um, asked you, you know what the future's like but, ah, I want to know once all of this dies down right and you have everything that you've worked so hard for. Do you see yourself moving more towards the freelance side? Not the freelance I but more towards the like doing something your own or do you like it working with? I see you shaking your hand already. So answer the question.

spk_1:   56:22
That's Michael. Michael is Teoh Focus full time on my line of gloating. Right now, it's like, have my steady job and I and I'm being lucky because, like, have customers in London, customers then grease customers in Orange County. I don't sell a lot, but what I sell it makes me really, really happy.

spk_0:   56:49
I love I love smile on your face. I just It makes me smile. I It's infectious. Um, no, that's impressive. I remember the first time I met you in the work that I saw they you were producing. This was three years ago. I was blown away. Things like Holy shit, this'll little girl made this amazing. You know, the gown or dress and just all of these pieces of art, because they truly are pieces of art. You don't have to sell a lot. You can sell a few. And that doesn't matter because I mean, it does matter, but it But it doesn't matter, because what does matter is anything that matters to you. The work that you put out and other people appreciating it because so many people put out pieces of work that it just no one gives a shit. Right? So if you have anyone care, it feels good. It was really good inside. I want to thank you so much for coming on the podcast you can talking about your story, sharing so many things, opening my eyes up to a lot of things that I guess I didn't realize from the student loans to the opportunities that us is Americans were given, but really understanding when you explained it. Um, any last words?

spk_1:   58:02
E, um I don't know what to say. Does um appreciate more where you have like, we are really, really, really lucky to be here in America. And we have so many opportunities and and it's it's, um you need to put effort things do not come a see you really put you have to put work and you have to, um, make a lot of effort. And maybe sometimes where you are in the process, you don't see it like you think why I might doing all of this. And I'm not getting anything. But you have to just keep going. And at the end, you you will see you will get like, If you really work for something, you will you will get at the A good result, I think, like, um, nothing comes, um or I don't know how to say it. Um, everything has a result.

spk_0:   59:09
Everything as a result of reason. Yes. Nothing comes from something. Something comes from nothing. But I understand exactly. No, I get it. I really, really get it. And and that's ah so true for so many things in my own personal life, right? It's like you just you have to put the hard working. You have to put the time in. Um, so many people want, like, quick results

spk_1:   59:37
now. No, nothing is quick. You you really have to be patient. And and there's a reason you have to really, really love where you're doing, so you don't give up.

spk_0:   59:49
Yes. So true. So many people give up. And if you truly love it and appreciate it No, you're not. You're not going to Yeah, and that's what is it? That story about Jim Carrey writing writing a $10 million check on his ceiling for acting when need just was buried, getting any acting roles on it was like a year goal of his. And then he did the mask, and this could be completely wrong. And I could be making up this entire story right now, but I don't think that I am on its. It's true if you see the goal and you're willing to put the work in and you're willing to do just fucking do anything to make that goal possible on that dream possible, it will happen if you want it bad enough. If you don't, then you're gonna give up. You're going to give up and and then that's fine. Go work on something, I'll do something else. Maybe that's not your calling. But the people that want it bad enough will do anything possible to make that happen. Yes, thank you so much. Working Ah d d of a website where you will find yourself Instagram.

spk_1:   1:0:50
Yes, my wife's I it's ah, Carl Castillo. That com my instagram I have to see. See that coral and coral under square Castalia?

spk_0:   1:1:02
I love it. I'll put the information in the show notes for sure. And, um yeah, Thank you so much for coming on coil. I really appreciate I had a great conversation, and I am I look forward to your future.

spk_1:   1:1:13
Thank you so much.

spk_0:   1:1:14
All right, all right, all right, all right. Thank you so much for listening to back to your story. Peace out wowser. Thank you so much for listen to podcasts. I want to thank call for coming on to share her amazing story if you like. The podcast, please Uber review. It helps the podcast draw in a major way. You want to hear more stories like this? Go back to your story dot com like subscribe shares. Stay safe, Everyone. Remember your stories, Premier. Every sunday of by PM, smooches