Meet Carissa Ramirez | Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Carissa Ramirez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carissa, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
At the time I was working in the medical field, and it was a very structured job which I definitely needed. However, I have always been a creative person and I was searching desperately for an outlet. I had this great idea to make greeting cards… I consider myself a punny person and I just knew there was a space for me in the Target card section. So, I actually began Carrshop.co with sights set on this. My first launch was in Feb 2020 with Valentine’s cards, and they did not do well at all. This was such a disappointment because they were all so cute! Then this idea to create vinyl stickers from some of my drafts that didn’t make the card cut originated. Turns out, stickers were a much bigger hit. I knew in general I just wanted to turn my doodle arts into something tangible to share with others. I was a hoarder of all things colorful and cute growing up and I just knew I wanted to create more colorful and cute things.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In high school I was actually voted, Most Creative. It just feels so good when others have recognized a quality about you that you feel truly resonates with your identity. I really took this to heart growing up and never wanted to lose this part of me. With that said, I have almost lost this part of me a few times trying to keep up with others.

For example, I felt pressured into selling boutique clothes because that is what other small businesses, similar to mine, were doing. I am currently in the process of stripping back and going back to the drawing board, literally.

I am so proud of the original tees, sweatshirts and stickers that I have once created. But I fell into another trap that I know is also common among small business creators, and that is the pressure to constantly produce!!! This is too much pressure to put on our creativity! So, this year I am excited to go back to all original pieces creating two launches a year. This will consist of a well thought out, and extremely original theme.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Angelo has an amazing entrepreneurial spirit and a thriving creative community. There are a ton of amazing things to do and see here so I love this question!

The Chicken Farm Art Center is a cool little spot with art studios and AIR BNBs! This is definitely a must stay area. With a restaurant on site, Roots at the Silo, you can have dinner there on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday!

During the week a coffee shop a day is the way to go from the many great coffee shops in San Angelo including, Buttercup Cafe, Free Rein Coffee, The Bearded Barista, The Grind Coffee and you can even catch our local pop-up mobile shop, The Valley Coffee Shop.

The food spots we are definitely going to for lunch are; Central Firehouse Pizza, Zero One Alehouse, Sunset Jr. (THE BEST BURGERS EVER). For dinner; Troubadours, Urban Salt and Joe’s Italian. Home to some of the best authentic mexican food there is; Armentas, Tacos Locos and Fuentes. And I can’t forget some great street eats; Munchies Food Truck, Lonestar Cheeseburger Co., and Street Eats.

After all the food you definitely have to walk it all off so you cant go wrong with spending time along the Concho River. Our city has done an amazing job at making it clean and beautiful with sidewalks and bridges. Experience something new at all times of day morning, afternoon or evening to catch the sunset.

Also stretching into our downtown are so many shops that are historically integrated into our culture from books shops to antique shops to the Eggemeyer’s General Store. You can spend two whole days exploring downtown San Angelo.

While you are downtown you must visit the many murals and art installations. We have an abandoned building that was commissioned to local artists called Pop Up Museum and it extends into what is called Paintbrush Market. It is the most colorful and eye-catching!

This permanent art exhibit hosts what has given Carrshop.co its biggest break. Every quarter, Concho Valley Events puts on one of San Angelo’s greatest markets. Paintbrush Alley Market Days. With over 100 vendors, creators and artisits it is a one day event you cannot miss!

One day you have to make the short trip to Christoval, a small town 15 minutes out, for some great eats and a day at the river. Start the morning at the Concho Coffee House and end with 1982 pizza.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Definitely my best friends London and Lauryn. These two are also small business owners and I just think it is incredible that two extremely busy people can be hands on and supportive. From helping with pricing, to sharing inspiration, to constructive criticism… they are the unofficial board members that keep me going.

Website: www.carrshop.co

Instagram: carrshop.co

Image Credits
I am a photographer 🙂 Pictures By Carissa www.picturesbycarissa.com @picsbycarr