Exploring Life & Business with Luara Pinon of Pinon Wraps

Today we’d like to introduce you to Luara Pinon.

Hi Luara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
When I was out of college, I tried to find jobs in the field that I studied which actually fell more into intaglio printmaking/metalsmithing work, but I had a difficult time finding that. My friend sent me a text one day while I was working as a bartender asking if I wanted to work for a sign shop in the Metro area, and that’s where it all began. Working with signs was similar to printmaking, as attention to detail and precision are detrimental. One day the shop was short of installers, so I volunteered to wrap the street car with other installers and fell in love. I continued to work with this company and eventually wrapped a few cars independently.

You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Being a business owner, in general, is anything but smooth, but the challenges always bring lessons, and those are so valuable to growth within yourself and your business. Some of my struggles were gaining confidence and believing that I could succeed in a male-dominated industry. Others were practical things like funding and finding a space that suited my needs.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pinon Wraps came to life in 2019 when I was consistently interested in my practice. I am most known for my shiny/colorful/holographic car wraps and unconventional uses of vinyl. What sets me apart from others is that I am a Latina woman in a male-dominated industry and that I am open to unique approaches to car wrapping in addition to the traditional commercial wrap you see on a day-to-day basis on box trucks, transit vans, and semis. I am proud of my brand because I have never seen a person who looks like me in this industry, and I want to be the representation I wish to see. I want people to know that there are possibilities beyond the norm and that the ability to express yourself and your brand through the things you work so hard to obtain can be so rewarding and make life a little more fun. I currently offer mobile car detailing and vinyl wrapping and removal.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
One major thing I learned from the pause the world took during the Covid pandemic is that no matter what is happening around you, do not set your personal goals aside for anything. I became uncomfortable financially running an expensive business on my own. I ended up putting my own business on the back burner and taking a part-time job that turned into a full-time job. I decided to take this business journey in the first place because I couldn’t find a place that could meet my needs, so I had to create my own. I learned a lot between 2020-2022 that made me believe in my business and my initial motive even harder.

Contact Info:

• Website: pinonwraps.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/pinonwraps
• Facebook: facebook.com/pinonwraps