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

Hi Christopher, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Hello! My name is Christopher Castillo. I am a 34-year-old Political Consultant based in Los Angeles, CA. I founded Black Castle & Associates in 2020, in mid-pandemic. Our firm specializes in Political Consulting, Government Affairs, and Opposition Research. We are one of the fastest-growing political consulting firms and have represented various candidates, elected officials, and issues throughout Southern California and Mexico.

I was born in Torrance and raised in Inglewood, CA, to two Mexican Immigrants. Growing up in California in the early 1990s to immigrant parents was a difficult situation, based on the passage of Proposition 187 during the 1994 election. This hunger to improve things for our immigrant community sparked my interest during my teenage years. I developed a passion for politics, history, and the social sciences during high school. Right after high school, I started working regular fast-food jobs. Eventually, I landed a job as a union carpenter. At 21, I began to dream about getting involved in politics. Within months, I landed a part-time internship with a congresswoman while I worked full-time. This led me to acquire experience without a college degree and eventually to secure mentorships from a political consultant.

While I was growing up, my parents used to sell soccer shirts and jeans at the Redondo Beach Swap Meet. I started to help them out every weekend from a very young age. This is where I learned the value of selling, investing, meeting overhead, and budgeting. The skills that my parents taught me from a young age became useful when I started my own business. The person who encouraged me the most to start my own business was my wife. She became an example of following your dreams and accomplishing them. She graduated from Southern California University of Health Sciences right after the 2009 recession and immediately started her Chiropractic practice from scratch. When I asked her for advice, she responded by saying: “You supported me when I started my practice, now it’s your turn to build your business.”

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What makes Black Castle & Associates different from other consulting firms is the emphasis on thinking outside the box and breaking the mold of traditional political consulting. Our firm specializes in opposition research, negative campaign advertisement, and PAC management. What makes me proud is that our firm can give our clients a competitive edge through outside-the-box thinking regardless of the client’s background or years in politics. In the four years of business, we have had some challenges. Having a clear objective of where you want to see your firm in the short and long term can give you the ability to push forward. The number one lesson/ skill has been adaptability. As business owners, we have to keep up with the trends, whether it be technology or looking at patterns, to see if certain actions/strategies are obsolete. We should always embrace the opportunity to transform and expand our business. Black Castle & Associates will be here to service any of your needs, whether you want to run for office or advocate to your local elected officials about issues or concerns. We will always give people the time of day and have an open-door policy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If I had a friend who came from out of town or a family member, I would ask them what they would like to explore. I would try to accommodate their stay based on their interests. Luckily, Los Angeles has everything from great restaurants to amazing beaches and beautiful hangout spots. One of my favorite spots is the Redondo Beach Pier; it’s a perfect venue to chat, walk, and dine. Another of my favorite spots is the Griffith Observatory; it is a perfect place to overlook the city at night with a nice coffee. My last spot recommendation would have to be a night out in Old Town Pasadena. It is a great getaway with an awesome nightlife. The best beaches to visit are Malibu Beach and Mother’s Beach in Long Beach. When it comes to food, there are a plethora of hidden gems across the county.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Many people have contributed to my success, and I am deeply grateful to each of them.
First, I want to thank my parents for instilling in me the confidence to face life boldly and without fear. Next, I extend my gratitude to my wife, Dr. Brenda Ramirez. From the very beginning, she has believed in me and stood by my side. Her support and encouragement have been invaluable, I wouldn’t be here without her. I am also profoundly thankful to Dr. John Paul Tabakian- my community college professor, long-time mentor, and friend. Dr. Tabakian is the president and founder of WestCal Academy, a non-profit organization that champions career pathway programs throughout California. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping my career, as it has for so many others. I would also like to acknowledge Joseph Pedro Lopez, Vice President of WestCal Academy; his friendship and support have made a meaningful difference in my life and career. Finally, I also want to give a special shoutout to Daryl Sweeney, the political consultant who opened the door for me to the world of politics. His mentorship and guidance have been instrumental. To all these incredible individuals, I am forever grateful.

Website: https://www.blackcastleassociates.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackcastleassociates/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-castillo-b0802b200?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

Other: Personal Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/chris_castillo90/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

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