Meet Roberto ‘Bobby’ Alvarado | Artist/ entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roberto ‘Bobby’ Alvarado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roberto ‘Bobby’, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m first generation Salvadoran/ American. Born and raised in Los Angeles by single mother who immigrated to the US in ’76

My mother was a strong, hard working woman that raised my siblings and I on her own here in the US. She also ruled with an iron fist. Haha

We didn’t have much growing up but had everything we needed. Most importantly, work ethic. From a young age hard word and getting through the struggle was a topic of discussion. However, the line of work my family would have chosen for me didn’t line up with, not only artistic abilities but my Entrepreneurial spirit.

I wanted more out if life and I wanted to do it on my terms because I watched my family struggle and unhappiness.
Don’t get me wrong, my family always celebrated life and enjoyed each other but I never really saw them as being fulfilled in life.

That upbringing and my experiences made me hungry and the gifts that I possessed (though i didnt know how then) became the tools I needed for me to eat today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is the part of my soul that the average person can see. I create mostly out of emotion and the desire to share what I like, love or feel.
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean I’m categorizing myself as “Emo”.

I do create for the sake of helping to fulfill others visions. That’s where the business hat comes on. Even in business though, I do my best to remain true to my art so I find a sort of balance between my emotional and commercial creativity. Maybe even kind of a bit unorthodox.
I feel like I can give my brand or my clients the best of both worlds. That’s what separates my art apart from others.

As far as the “road to success ” being an easy one, I’m still trying to find easy street.
I think everyone has their measure or expectancy of success.
I for example feel incredibly blessed and successful as I get to do what I love for a living (and a good living at that) and not only that but I get to share that with my own family. I get to spend as much time as I can with my wife and kids and still manage to jeep my lights on.

My neighbor might feel he’s got it better or is more “successfull” because he gets to park a nicer car at his employer’s office building for 70hrs a week but he is successful.
Alright, that probably came off as a tangent lol

it’s no secret that success comes with a price and a ton of dedication but in the end it is worth it.

You can’t quit!

Believe, believe, believe and never stop swimming. I’ve heard the no’s, maybe another time, we found someone else… Good luck next time, a plenty.
Even better, I’ve heard your art is wack, a joke, stop dreaming, get a real job, wake up, you’re a looser, you’ll never be anything in life… you get the picture.
Had a believed them and quit, I would be a soul-less individual. At best, a ship passing by at night.

So my journey hasn’t been an easy one but I don’t think I’d change anything about it. Everything has lined up as it’s supposed to. I’ve become a much stronger person and even better artist. My journey has inspired me to give back to my community as I am grateful for all I have learned and now have because of my experiences.
In fact, I’ve recently been sponsored
by Cheetos and Bad Bunny in the Deja tu Huella (leave your mark) campaign. I’ll be using my artistic abilities to provide attractional pieces for Latino small business in Las Vegas, NV.

Art has always been a part of me. My art speaks for me and those who understand my language can appreciate and embrace my art.

The Alley Cat brand is part of my story and the name says it all. An Alley Cat is a fighter with no quit in him (or her). An Alley Cat is not just a survivor but lives his life on his terms. Alley Cat Apparel Co is for the strong worldwide.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My stomping grounds growing up and into my adulthood have always been Los Angeles. From eating at Tommy’s burgers on Beverly and Rampart, playing in McArthur Park to Skating Hollywood Blvd and body boarding at Venice Beach. I could take you around the city and have a blast assuming everything is right were I left it. Haha

Let’s start with doing Donuts at Randy’s!

I’d do lunch a Pinks on Melrose, movie at the Mann Chinese, dinner at Roscoes.
Sunset at Santa Monica completes day one.

Gotta spend a day at Universal Studios Hollywood, that’s a must. And even better on a Tuesday because of the crowds. I love this place. A lot of inspiration is born for me here.

Wednesday, head inland to local mountains in Big Bear.

Thurs San Diego (Old Town, Gas Lamp and little Italy). Overnight stay into…

… Friday, you gotta hit SeaWorld and mission Beach.

Saturday, if I haven’t snuck over for some good cheap food and drinks in TJ, shoot over to Long Beach. Queen Mary is a must. Lots to do and eat outside as well. Improve for laughs, plenty of good eats.

Sunday, be good boys and girls, get some rest and head over to Wagyu House XPot in City of industry.

You’re welcome lol

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?
For me, to God be All the glory. I’ve got testimony for days lol.

If I had to give credit to a certain person in my life, it would have to be my wife Lina Alvarado.

I’ve lived most of my life against the grain. My mind fires off at a million miles per minute. My ideas could probably overwhelm Tony Robins (love that guy). Most women or people can’t deal with with a person like myself. Hell, I drive myself crazy sometimes. Not to mention the prior relationships that high-tailed it with bags packed when they realized what they were in for. Lol

My wife is an incredible woman. She gets me (doesn’t always understand the madness lol) but she gets me. Most importantly, she’s always believed in me. For that support, I owe her my life.

Website: Thealleycatworldwide.com

Instagram: Alleycatapparel_x_dsgnco

Other: I have a separate accounts for my art Instagram: @wanderlust_artfactory Tiktok: @BobbyAlva_Art My Pomade brand spawned from my original shop The Alley Cat in Riverside 9years ago @Slickcatpomade (Instagram and Tiktok)