Meet Stephanie Ocampo

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

Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process before launching my business was to launch something that would potentially turn me into my own boss. When I decided to launch my small business, I was a full-time employee at a major bank which I knew could provide the funding for merchandise to resell. Corporate America is a very scary and corrupt place; I knew I needed a way out and had to build something that was the complete opposite of what I witnessed there while still incorporating the corporation’s business policies, strategies and newfound business knowledge I gained. Growing up I dealt with a lot of bullying and insecurities solely because of my problems with obesity. I knew I wanted to build something that would empower myself and others struggling with self-image issues. Something that would make people feel beautiful. As a member of the LGBTQ+, Cannabis, Latinx, AAPI and African American community I knew my brand would offer diversity and that is how @Stephysboutiqueoc was born. All I was missing was the product and in late 2016 the 90’s were making a comeback the first product I launched were chokers then shortly after came the lashes which really made my tiny business take off.

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.
Although I did like school growing up, I always gravitated towards art. From picture books to cooking, crafting and ceramics. I loved it so much! My 8th grade art teacher at Kraemer Jr. High in the city of Placentia, CA told me I was an abstract artist and now I understand why. I learned about Banksy while attending Valencia High School also in Placentia and my fascination with street art began. Back in 2007 I was just 17 years old still in high school trading Mayan art with my dad at huge galleries on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills on weekends. I lived in Las Vegas, NV from 2012-2014 and spent most of my time in the DTLV Art’s District where I met many artists from all walks of life. Fast forward a few years—being a cannabis connoisseur, I had the idea to bring handmade roach clips back with my own twist, and I did just that. I invested in my supplies and stayed up late night after night learning the art of wire wrapping, making sure every piece met my standards and that the quality was always top-notch. I am all about individuality and breaking the mold which is why my handmade roach clips are one of a kind and I guarantee no one else will have the same exact piece you have. These clips are versatile and handmade with love. They convert into Stephy’s Ca$h Clips for those who love long nails and can’t get their debit card out of the ATM slot. They also can be used to clip a picture on your desk at work or as cute decoration in a child’s art room. Right after launching Stephy’s Roach Clips in 2018, I was featured in the Las Vegas Review Journal, and Leafly for my seasonal spooky clips. I officially became a published artist at 28 years old.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend would arrive Thursday morning and I would take her for a stroll through my neighborhood, Old Towne Orange also known as The Plaza or The Orange Circle where vintage buildings, indie shops, local energy blend together, and every corner feels like a little piece of living art with a vintage twist. We would sit down and have a delicious breakfast at The Filling Station while people watching in their beautiful garden style patio. The rest of the day would be spent thrifting at The Antique station, trying Mexican desserts at Cafe Zocalo, dropping by to say hello to my friends over at Orange St. Barber Shop, creating art at Soulland.LAB then ending the night with a stiff drink next door at O’Hara’s Pub. Friday would be spent next door in DTSA also known as La Cuatro I would introduce her to my favorite coffee shop in Santa Ana Brewskiee Coffee for an arroz con leche latte that I know will blow her mind. We’d hit the alleys to admire the newest murals while snapping pictures of my newest Roach Clips all while enjoying Mexican street corn, mangos and whatever else our beloved street vendors have to offer. For the remainder of the day, we will enjoy a small market event put together by my peeps over at The Patches and Pins Expo and shop till we drop. Saturday will be spent in my hometown Anaheim, CA visiting family and getting our nails done with my girls over at Passport To Beauty. Then we will grab a savory and authentic Mexican bite at my families taqueria called The Taco Shop located in the heart of Anaheim before walking over to The Anaheim Packing House for dessert. Saturday night would be spent at Greyscale Tattoo Studio getting some fresh new ink and some tooth gems with @theblingtoothfairy. Sunday we would go back to Anaheim to show her around The Anaheim Indoor Marketplace. We will load up on Mexican snacks and say hello to our friends over at Cutz N Blends barbershop where we would vibe out to good music before heading back to Santa Ana for The Drag Brunch At El Indio Botanas y Cerveza hosted by my friend @og_goro with Noches De Aay Tú. After we will call our girl local Santa Ana artist @shuxxtattoos and meet at 4th Street Market for a quick bite while we catch up before walking over to Santa Ana’s Classic Cocktail Lounge Club 616 for a nightcap. After a long night we will head over to Little Saigon, centered in Westminster and Garden Grove, for yummy Laotian food at Nokks Kitchen starting off with my personal favorite their Lao sausage, jeow som and sticky rice to share. After enjoying some strong Vietnamese coffee from Da Vien we will stop by and visit our friends over at Royal King Elephant for some larb, papaya salad and sticky rice to go. We’d make our way over to Anaheim to drop off dinner at my brothers business @thefurniturelab_ while I show her the newest couches in the showroom. After a very eventful trip we will wrap it up back at my loft here at The Orange Circle call our friend Nery over who is the owner of Mar y Luna Candle Company then recap over a bottle of fine cabernet sauvignon from my neighbors over at Provision’s and people watch through my window getting back just in time to see the Disneyland fireworks.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, my partner, my muse, my love Z. He would spend days out in the hot sun while I looked for vendors door to door with no complaints seeing the potential in me, I didn’t see back then. My family of course who always root me on and help with anything I need no matter how chaotic the situation is. Gabby who was there for me every time I wanted to give up picking me up each time I fell. She went from friend to marketing director, photographer and now family. All of my clients that always show love and never-ending support. Last but not least my spunky Mexi-Lao Princess Zoé who is my reason to keep this going no matter how hard the obstacle is, this one’s for you Zoé Bear! Mommy loves you always.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephysboutiqueoc/?hl=en

Other: https://www.leafly.com/news/lifestyle/celebrating-halloween-las-vegas-with-cannabis

Image Credits
Gabriella Becerra and @mo_dollaz