The Factory Studio

05/22/2026

The last couple of weeks have been full in the best way possible.

Two of my kids graduated from college — Caleb from the University of Louisville and Gaby from UC Davis School of Law — and our family has been moving nonstop between celebrations, airports, late nights, reunions, and all the emotions that come with watching your kids step into new chapters of life.

This video is the train that runs through the University of Louisville campus, captured on graduation night. (🎥 thx .lewis_ )

There’s something about trains at night that always feels bigger than the moment itself. Like movement. Change. Momentum. Time carrying people in different directions all at once.

So if I’ve been a little quieter here lately… that’s why.

But even while I’ve been away from the studio more than usual, my brain hasn’t stopped creating. I’ve been sketching constantly, filling notebooks, collecting thoughts, and somewhere in all this movement, a few new creative seeds got planted.

So while life has been moving fast… creatively, something is always growing. 🌳

01/07/2023

This is what Chef Natalie is doing now ... anyone needs a social media expert with a restaurant background?

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Two years ago, I transitioned from being an event planner for
Long Beach State Athletics, with no events to plan during COVID; to a part-time Social Media Manager, working for myself as an independent contractor. I was able to help my first client convert their annual in-person fundraiser into an online campaign that surpassed their pre-pandemic fundraising goals.

I am still working with that same client. I just wrapped up their fifth fundraiser managed by Natalie Joan Media. Between fundraisers, I’ve built them a fresh website with all new branding. I’ve succeeded in growing their community connections through social media, bringing lots of new faces to their location and events.

Take a look at the Instagram account of one of my newest clients, Link n Hops . Natalie Joan Media just finished up a 6-month new ownership launch. My client wanted to revive her brand while keeping the ‘neighborhood bar’ vibe. She did not want to be a one-and-done destination for foodies and craft beer folks to just check off their list. I’ve helped her to participate in holiday community events, sponsor a local elementary school and tap into the ethnic diversity of her neighborhood to bring in a fanbase for the FIFA World Cup.

My background is in the restaurant industry. I owned a gastropub in Long Beach that enjoyed success and was featured on the Food Channel and in national and local publications. Additionally, I have a background working with non-profits in the arts and athletics.

If any of what I’ve described grabs your attention…maybe you are my next client. I don’t have set prices. Typically my clients pay $600 - $1000 a month. My goal is to empower you.

7,824 Followers, 2,752 Following, 717 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Link n Hops ()

10/07/2020

Plenty, a company backed by big tech bucks, wants to open a vertical farm in Compton. Can it change the way we grow and eat food?

03/28/2020

Hello Factory Friends! I'll provide you all with an update soon with what I've been doing since closing The Factory, but right now it is important that I get this information out to help my community. We have all witnessed the long lines at Costco and major grocery stores in response to COVID19. I have been working with Long Beach Fresh to create a grocery guide to help Long Beacheons navigate through all this chaos. The list covers all of Long Beach but I personally tackled the North Long Beach area ... rich with Mexican bogeas and international groceries ranging from Thai to Cambodian. All of these small markets report having a daily abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood with very reasonable pricing and little to no crowds. Grocery-wide, there are certain items in high demand, and toilet paper tops the list. Shopping early in the morning is the best advice provided by all grocery markets. Rice is another of those hard to find items. Island Pacific Supermarket provides a preorder system and in a few short days, they will have your bags of rice ready for pickup. Long Beach Beer Lab and The Merchant bakes bread daily with on-line ordering, prepay and curbside pick-up. Local restaurants like Rasselbock - Kitchen & Beer Garden are taking advantage of their wholesale status and ordering hard to acquire items like milk, butter and pasta ... and selling those items directly to their customers daily out of their restaurant. Most importantly, this list provides details on markets that have special shopping hours for seniors/disabled. Message me if you have any updates or tips. Be safe out there Long Beach!

Getting groceries has certainly become one of the trickiest aspects of the COVID19 response for local residents. At Long Beach Fresh, we believe everyone should have access to fresh, healthy food. While local grocers have adjusted their hours, enforced social distancing, increased their stocking, cr...

12/16/2015

And then The Factory is in Pl***oy! BOOM ... What a great send off present!

The crown prince of Flavortown is the bane of many in the culinary world but he may be the greatest champion of all the things they hold dearWill Horowitz deep down didnt want...

12/15/2015

12/06/2015

FACTORY BEER ALERT! Just tapped Bootlegger's Brewery Far Out IPA!!! Come on down for some football and hops!

11/29/2015

Happy Thanksgiving Sunday! You don't want to cook, not even leftovers, because cleaning the kitchen again this weekend is unthinkable! So come on down to The Factory for a relaxing turkey-free meal, and a pint!!

11/28/2015

Time to celebrate Bixby Knolls on Small Business Saturday! Shop the neighborhood then relax at The Factory with great food, wine and beer!

11/25/2015

Black Friday brings the Attack of Dark Beers! Deschutes Brewery & Public House 2014 Abyss, Artifex Brewing Company Milk, Milk, Milk - Milk Stout & Hoppy Colada Black IPA, Left Coast Brewing Company Voodoo Stout, Karl Strauss Brewing Company 26th Anniversary Belgian Dark Strong, Sierra Nevada Narwhal. Also pouring Noble Ale Works Pilsner, Coachella Valley Brewing Co. 2XIPA and ActiveX No Name IPA.

11/19/2015

If you missed the Artifex Brewing Company tap takeover last night ... you can come in tonight for the full line-up at Thirsty Thursday prices with all beers only $4.50!!

11/19/2015

Last nights Tap Takeover with Artifex Brewing Company was fantastic! We had a full house enjoying the delicious Artifex beers and fantastic tasting menu prepared by Chef Natalie! Thanks for everyone who came out! Our next brewery event will be in December with Phantom Carriage Brewery ... date and details coming soon!