Studio Long Beach, a graphic design, product photography, and printing business, was founded in 2016 by Matt Bremen. We met with Bremen to celebrate his business’s new status as an EmployABILITY Champion and learn what that means to him.
How did you start your business?
I have worked for some of the biggest brands in the world, and I learned so much from those opportunities, but the one thing I always dreamed about was starting my own business and doing things differently. I had this vision that a business could produce a quality product while also having fun in a less stressful atmosphere and give me opportunities to give back to my community. So, in 2016, I started my own business. It has been a great experience so far, and I’m still dreaming.
If there was one thing you could tell people about your business, what would it be?
My business is using art and technology to tell stories and bring beauty to the world. I believe that we can change the world and transform people’s lives through art and technology. Art is the language that can solve any problem. It brings people together and starts conversations.
How do you plan to use EmployABILITY Business Grant funds to grow your business? I’m going to hire an individual with disabilities to learn everything about the media and printing industry. They’ll learn customer service skills, how to clean and maintain the equipment, inventory control, graphic design, digital file format techniques, and using software and printers. Some of the funds will be used to purchase adaptive equipment for the new employee to use, like a camera that uses voice commands. The company is also moving into a bigger space that is ADA-compliant. And then, my big dream is to give back to my community by creating an academy for people of all ages and abilities to learn skills in photography, graphic design, and printing. This grant lets me make all of that a reality!
What does it mean to you to be a recipient of this grant, an EmployABILITY Champion? It’s hard to put into words how much this means to me. The grant is a dream come true. Being an EmployABILITY Champion lets everyone know that we are building an inclusive workplace that will help the business grow and be able to give even more back to our community. I am very happy, and this is just the beginning.
For more information on Studio Long Beach, visit https://studiolongbeach.com/.
