10/05/2025
It’s so trippy how quickly time flys by. It occurred to me recently: For the last FIVE years, I have been building the brand for and with . Where did the time go??? It’s been a tremendous amount of work, but it’s always an honor.
I’ll never forget the phone call I got in the beginning of the pandemic. They wanted me to help create a concept for an upscale Mexican Restaurant that would appeal to all cultures. I was thinking who in their right mind has the balls to open a restaurant right now when everything is shutting down!? But I admired their boldness and risk taking. And I was even more ecstatic to receive the call because Pre-Pandemic JL Studio was nearly 100% residential.
When Covid hit my business took a hit. My residential clients were wigged out (rightfully so) and didn’t feel comfortable with us going in their homes. So business plateaued for a while and I was freaking out thinking how will I feed the mouths of my team? So I was incredibly thankful to fill the void and have work to do again.
However, I was taken aback when I pulled up the first time and saw the bright green, red, and orange paint colors on the exterior. It was giving Popeyes! 😱 (Nun wrong w/popeyes BTW). Although I desperately needed a project at the time, I told them the only way I would take it on was if they repainted the building in more elegant colors. (If you know me, I’m as blunt as they come, esp when talking aesthetics 😈) The client may’ve had a small heart attack hearing my conditions considering they had just painted the building the day before 🤦🏻♀️😬 Sorry not sorry!
Not only was I helping with the concept, graphic design, menu testing (sometimes til 1am), but I was also heavy in the construction administration. We saw it all the way through to the most euphoric grand opening. It was magical. I couldn’t believe the energy we brought to the space in such a dark time. It was one of my most humbling experiences.
We did one and then fast forward, now we’ve done 5, with the first being established in New Orleans and now expanded to South Florida.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. ✨🙏🏼✨
