Here at home in Ventura County, a family-owned flower distribution company has grown into one of the largest companies of its kind in California. What some may not realize is that behind the warehouses, cold storage units, and daily shipments is a former nursing student whose career path did a complete 180 in 2020.
Channel Islands Flowers began in August of 2020 during a time of extreme uncertainty for Manuel Ayala and his family. After the company where he had been working for many years shut down, Manuel Ayala, my best friend’s father, was suddenly left without a job. When his former boss offered him the opportunity to purchase the suffering business, it was a major risk, but one he was willing to take. A few months prior, his daughter, Valerie, had moved back home from Santa Barbara, where she had been studying nursing at Santa Barbara City College. As the pandemic completely interrupted her education, she enrolled at Ventura College to continue nursing while also nannying full-time. At the same time, she began helping her father rebuild the newly purchased business from the ground up, a decision that would ultimately alter the entire trajectory of their lives.
Reflecting on those early days, she describes the company as something that needed to be rebuilt almost entirely. “We had about 11 employees at the time, and we rebuilt and expanded completely,” she said. “Now we have over 100 employees, multiple field locations, and a warehouse. Back then, it felt like we were gathering the marbles that were dropped everywhere.”
For the Ayala’s, their growth came about from years sacrifice. “When they got here, they started working super young,” she said about her parents’ immigrant journey from Michoacan to the United States. “They have always had a strong work ethic, and without that, they wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything they have so far.” That same mindset shaped her own turning point in early 2022. While balancing nursing school, nannying from 7AM to 3:30PM, evening classes at Ventura College, and late nights working for her family business, she realized that she was no longer able to spread her time. “My workload with the business became so much that I had to quit my nanny job and shortly after, I dropped out of school,” she said. “That’s when I realized, this is what I am doing now.”
Today, Channel Islands Flowers is recognized as one of the largest distributors in California. On a scale of one to ten, she rates the company at an eight. The business supplies florists and other flower companies with stems like Ranunculus, Calla Lilies, Lisianthus, Delphiniums, Hybrid Lilies, and a variety of other seasonal flowers. A majority of their products are sold throughout various sellers in the Los Angeles Flower Market, one of the largest wholesale flower markets in the country. Additional distribution is sold in major grocery stores like Trader Joes and Vons. Despite the company’s scale, Valerie remains very humble about her position. “It’s very eye-opening,” she said. “I think we’re still in the stage of imposter syndrome… but our family is very supportive, which allows us to continue to do what we do.”
What started as a risky decision during the pandemic has grown into one of Ventura County’s most successful distribution companies. From balancing nursing school and long workdays to stepping fully into leadership, her journey reflects the unpredictable nature of growth. Channel Islands Flowers continues to bloom each day because the Ayala family chose to plant those roots.
As a Ventura College student, I am always on the lookout for the best atmosphere to complete my school work. Instead of using Starbucks as the default option, I explored around my hometown of Camarillo to see what it had to offer. I went ahead and tried their signature coffees, scoped out the environment, examined their customer service, and what each café sets them apart from their competitors. The four locations I visited are Panadería Lucero, Tree Lounge Coffee, Village Cafe, and Café Ficelle. That being said, take a trip with me through Camarillo and let’s unpack what I experienced.
Panadería Lucero
Panadería Lucero is the sister location to Antojitos Lucero, where they offer traditional and a wide range of pan dulce (sweet bread), alongside specialty coffees curated with a Mexican twist. Their other drink offerings include champurrado, café de olla, and aguas frescas. When I initially entered in, I was immediately greeted with the sweet smell of the pastries and “corrido” music to feel like I walked into abuelita’s house. Their staff welcomed my brother and me with a warm greeting, which was a nice first impression.
We ordered the iced dalgona whipped coffee with cookie butter cold foam and an iced café de olla with banana cold foam, conchas (struessel-like and shell- shaped bread), and cuernitos (sugar- dusted croissants). Each drink is made to order, so the flavor combinations are endless to satisfy your preferences. Because this business is family-owned, their staff isn’t the biggest, so our drinks took some time to make, which is understandable.
Iced Dalgona Whipped Coffee with Cookie Butter Cold Foam Iced Café de Olla with Banana Cold Foam
The presentation of our lattes looked like it was made with time and effort, which is justifiable for how much I paid for them. The iced dalgona coffee with cookie butter cold foam did not disappoint and exceeded my expectations for how it would taste. The main takeaway from this drink is how sweet it is, with caramel being the dominating flavor. On top of the foam were Biscoff cookie crumbles. This drink was reminiscent of Werther’s caramel candy in the best way. Moving on, the iced café de olla might not be for everyone due to its earthy, cinnamon-like flavor. Of course, you can add milk to it and soften the spice level. The banana cold foam was the perfect choice to tone down the cinnamon, but they also offer other cold foam flavors if banana isn’t up your thing. Just like the dalgona drink, my café de olla had Nilla wafer cookie crumbles to replicate what I assume tastes like banana pudding. Once stirred with the cold foam to dissipate, both flavors were harmonious and did not clash. They bounced off of each other and pleased my tastebuds.
From taking time to deliberate, a unique quality of this cafe, I conclude that their family- oriented energy you feel radiate once you enter brings a sense of comfort, with reminiscent smells of going to my grandma’s house. The atmosphere transports you into a state of calm, compared to other cafes that have a “hustle and bustle” vibe. Overall, I would return to give my business to Panadería Lucero and spread the word about what they have to offer.
2. Tree Lounge
Located in Old Town of Camarillo, Tree Lounge offers an easy-going cafe setting with lo-fi music to emulate a serene escape. The minute my brother and I entered, we were met with pieces of local artist’s hung and displayed everywhere our eyes could gaze upon. Tree Lounge places an emphasis on highlighting local artists and their art, showcasing thier admirable quality of community pride.. It’s hole- in- the- wall location provides a great option to avoid heavy foot traffic Their hours of operation provide a window of opportunity to step in and be transcended into a “flow state” of productivity.
The barista reassured us to take our time and not rush to order right away, which I see is a common theme I see for these small business- owned cafes. From looking at their specialty drinks, we decided to order the Island Latte and Ube Latte. The price for both were $7.50. Their menu offers crafted lattes, espresso- based drinks, non-espresso, plus a list of milk substitutes and flavorings. Their food offerings include Chef Galo’s award-winning empanadas as well as traditional bakery goods supplied by local bakers in Ventura County. Their focus seems to be placed on the beverages and community camaraderie, as region-based bakeries and artists are featured.
The island latte was described as having a macadamia/coconut base with macadamia milk, which screamed, “I’m taking a walk on the beaches of Oahu.” I admire a latte that isn’t your typical caramel or mocha flavor, so the coconut spoke deeply to me, and I felt seen. Their “quality over quantity” aspect of the menu is definitely a reason I will be returning. The ube latte could be the sister drink to the island latte in terms of how easily you are reminded of being on a tropical getaway. Ube is used in desserts found here, such as offering biscoff brownies, crinkle cookies, and toasted coconut coffee cake. That being said, the ube latte was incredibly delicious and indulgent. Once I tasted it, I kept going back for more. Both the island and ube lattes proved themselves, and their simplicity is enough to satisfy that “afternoon pick me up.”
Island latte
Ube Latte
Our drinks are specialty made, not just a regular chain like MaKenna Koffee, who are more of a Dutch Bros kinda place. The vibes we strive for are to have people come in, feel like family, and choosing to keep coming back.” – Jasmine, Social Media Manager of Tree Lounge, regarding what sets Tree Lounge apart from their competitors
From time to time, Tree Lounge hosts pop-up events that range from featuring art walks, live music and painting events, holiday- themed activities, and are heavily encourage having Camarillo residents participating in local events. There is no doubt how considerate and authentic this business is for measuring success not through sales, but as being an outlet for people to come together and create memories.
They simply host these events and the attendees take over. This makes sense, as their Instagram is filled with event flyers posted one after another, translating into their success as a hosting location. All in all, Tree Lounge would be the ideal spot for a studying, a coffee date or rewarding yourself because “you needed it.”
3. Village Cafe
Residents of the Village Commons are familiar with the Village Cafe and its intimate setting, where they can enjoy homemade, quality meals accompanied by crafted lattes. Here you will find that this small business is owned by a husband and wife, who are committed to serving their customers only the freshest ingredients and leaving behind a family legacy to future generations. Their core values are to create a sense of home and family for anyone who steps in. Inside, you will find roughly five small tables that emulate the feeling of being in mom’s kitchen waiting for dinner to be made. By stressing the importance of family and community, Village Cafe lives up to their promise and creates the right location to spend a few bucks on either a breakfast burrito or a banana coconut matcha.
Although their coffee menu is quite condensed to only a handful of lattes, matcha, chai, and hot chocolate, that did not stop us from testing out what they had to offer. I had ordered an iced banana bread latte, and my brother Jakob went for an iced brown butter pecan chai latte. We received our drinks in a timely manner, delivered personally by their in- house barista, all while being thanked for our patience.
The banana flavor was strong enough to be present and not tooth-achingly sweet. With a light in-house made cold foam dusted with cinnamon, it tasted like a banana bread loaf fresh out of the oven. I went ahead and mixed the coffee and foam to blend the flavors more seamlessly, which was the cherry on top. The cold foam had an airy and cool whip- like consistency that didn’t combat the coffee at all. The price for this drink, was $8, and I was more than happy to oblige at that price point.
Banana Latte with Cold Foam Brown Butter Pecan Chai Latte
However, as Jakob began sipping the iced brown butter pecan chai, his face formed a frown. These were his notes about his beverage, “I wish there was more ice to make it a true iced drink, so that would’ve been nice… The presentation was bleak and nothing special about it, not even cold foam, but maybe that’s our bad for not ordering it? Either way, I feel like who ever made my drink wanted to just get the order over with and onto the next.” Typically, chai lattes are simply the tea concentrate and whatever milk of choice. But with the banana bread latte, it seemed as if more effort was put into that one and the chai latte got “crumbs” in terms of crafting it. Jakob didn’t finish even half because he felt the price he paid didn’t match what he received.
Village Cafe may be best to visit as soon as their doors open to beat the 11am rush on weekends, ensuring you receive quality service and products without the tiredness from their minimal staff. Personally, I will come back earlier in the day and try a different round of drinks to find the right one to be my “go-to” for when I’m in the area.
4. Café Ficelle
Café Ficelle comes out on top as far as being a well-run business, as seen in their other locations in Ventura and Thousand Oaks. They have established themselves in the niche aesthetic of bringing European- inspired delicacies to Camarillo. It is more than simply a café, since they’re classified as a “boulangerie” and “patisserie.” The term “boulangerie” is French for describing a bakery that specializes in making and selling bread in- house. When I walked through the doors with my boyfriend, Dominic, our eyes were immediately drawn to the pastries and loaves of bread for sale. The warm smell of dough and fresh-baked breakfast items felt exactly how Sunday morning does on a warm summer day.
To preface, Café Ficelle is more of a breakfast/brunch restaurant, so the setting inside isn’t as intimate as the other places in Camarillo. Regardless, the drinks we chose to try were an iced vanilla matcha latte and an iced white mocha latte. The employee who took my order seemed not have the best morning due to her lack of attention in asking me and Dominic if we needed more time or any questions about the menu. I perceived her demeanor as not wanting to be at work that morning, which translated into her poor customer service.
As I took my first sip of the matcha latte, I tasted clumps of matcha powder which is a dead giveaway that it wasn’t properly whisked or sifted before pouring hot water. There was an adequate amount of ice, but it made the matcha taste bitter even with the almond milk and a hint of vanilla flavoring. For this matcha latte, I paid was $7, and I am confident to say it will not be repurchased in the future and that I can find better- tasting matcha elsewhere in Ventura County.
Iced Matcha Latte
As Dominic tried his white mocha latte, he sarcastically said, “WOW! Starbucks can make a better version of whatever this is.” When I asked him what he meant by this, his response was “Starbucks makes theirs sweeter, so the price I pay is fine by me, and I like knowing what I’m getting based on their consistent recipe.”
Iced White Chocolate Mocha Latte
Touching on how this café is a traditional restaurant, I wouldn’t classify it as a place to study quietly. Since there are families with children, young adolescents, and older adults coming in to get served breakfast and/or brunch, getting work done here would’t be the best choice. There are too many distractions of people coming in and out, employees delivering food, and the typical environment of restaurant chatter. Café Ficelle would be a great option for a breakfast outing, meeting up with an old friend, making ordinary mornings seem special.
~ Café Ranking ~
First up, we have Tree Lounge in Old Town. From the minute I arrived until I left, I was satisfied with what I ordered, the vibes I picked up, and most importantly, how I felt welcomed with open arms to take up space.
In second place comes Panadería Lucero and its admirable quality of being a Latino family run business. To see a business, such as Panadería Lucero, functioning and thriving in Camarillo fills me with pride in where I come from and our hardworking people.
In third, we have the Village Cafe serving as a safe choice for receiving quality drinks due to how serious their in- house barista takes their craft. I would suggest perusing their Instagram, finding what drinks speak to you, and visiting before 11am to receive consistently made drinks.
Café Ficelle comes last because how I was not pleased with either of the drinks, the prices I paid, or lack of customer service. Their performance has potential, but being a well- established business with multiple locations in Ventura County did not meet my expectations.
Overall, take my reviews into consideration and what to look out for, but I recommend visiting yourself to make an assessment based on your own experience. Besides the criteria I used to rank each place, I also noted the overarching experience being young college student trying to find her little corner of this world for peace and quiet. The hunt for the perfect study spot continues!
“Beep beep let’s ride”, (Vroom Vroom, Charli xcx) come with me to weekend 2 of Coachella 2025. I had so much fun and I want to share it with everyone! That way you can get a little taste of what Coachella has to offer and see why you need to make sure you’re going next year. This was my first year going and I guarantee you I’ll be returning next year because of how amazing this experience was. Myself personally prioritized the music and concerts, and not as much the pop up stuff. So, if you’re a music lover you’re definitely going to want to see what you’re future experience could look like! Please enjoy ❤
As I finish up my last social media marketing class, as well as my last semester at Ventura College, I have to look back and think on what I’ve learned and what I need to continue to learn. And for the first time in my life, I am not going down the path of refined essays and polished projects. I have discovered a lot about myself during my time at VC, especially through fully embracing the messiness of an amateurly edited YouTube video. And what better way to sum up everything I’ve learned both socially and professionally than with an in-depth look at the social media profiles of myself and others? For a month, I posted once a day on my Instagram, trying to imitate the creators and businesses I admire in search of a version of myself that can authentically and creatively relate to audiences. So please enjoy this weird video about a weird person and her weird journey to produce authentic and creative social media content.
And please excuse the video’s less-than-HD quality and lack of music. Hopefully, it can only get better from here!
Come along as I spend 10 days in New York City, from going to sporting events to exploring New York’s iconic parks all while having a great time! Video Out Now, On VC Social YouTube Channel!
Ever since I got my 3D printer, I thought about starting an at-home 3D printing business. I have all the tools I need at my disposal, and just needed to take that first step to start. In this video, I document the beginning of my journey to starting my own small business out of my room, from getting my printer all set up, handling my first customers, and starting to market and advertise my services. Join me as I learn the ins and outs of being a maker, and trying to earn some cash at the same time!
Follow my Instagram accounts to keep up as I continue this project!
We go to college to learn from our professors but sometimes we end up being the ones that teach ourselves. I started my educational journeys a few years ago and although I can’t remember the process, I do remember the fear of the unknown. Well guess what, during your second year you start to feel that same bundle of nerves. It usually happens around January when your friends start talking about transferring. Fear not I am going to tell you the 5 must do things for easy transferring.
1.See the counselor. This is your guide to all things with school. Ideally you will meet with a counselor when you first arrive at college and create an educational plan. At the beginning of your sophomore year, you will meet with the counselor again. This is when you will make sure you are taking the correct classes for your major and you will receive the application deadlines for the colleges you want to apply to.
2. Apply for Finacial aid. Ideally you filled out your FAFSA when you started college. The second time that you apply will be much easier. Most of your information is already saved in your profile be sur to adjust any changes. When you reapply in the fall of your sophomore year add all the colleges you think you would like to attend. This is free so don’t be shy to add a few to the list. You will get info from the colleges in the spring as a reminder. Home | Federal Student Aid
Speaking of free money it is scholarship time!!!!! Apply to all the scholarships you can you never know you might get awarded enough to pay for first year tuition.
3. It is very important to visit the transfer center to get guidance on how to apply. They also will be the first ones to celebrate with you when the time comes. They hold a transfer celebration dinner in April for the students and their family. You will check in with the center in the fall and again in the spring of your sophomore year. Or as many times as you need assistance, they are there for you specifically for these questions.
4. See your counselor again in early spring. You have to do a graduation check to verify you are ready to transfer. The counselor will also send in the application to graduate. This is what gives you your diploma and allows you the privilege to walk at the commencement ceremony. Don’t let the heart fluttering thought distract you. Have a copy of your transcripts and ask the counselor how to read them. You will need to enter your course information on the college application.
5.Apply for college usually in February or March; make note of important deadlines, they will come faster than expected. You only need to apply to one website; from there you can send it out statewide. This is where financial aid comes in handy as you could qualify to apply for FREE. You will know if it is zero cost when you finalize your application prior to submitting. Note the option will only be present if you meet the requirement AND put the school on your FAFSA last fall. This is the link for applying Cal State Apply | CSU
So, while in middle of studying for finals getting ready to graduate, you wait….and wait, to hear if you got in. Be patient and think positive ‘stop staring at the inbox. ‘It’s time for scholarships, dean lists and (drumroll please) …transfer!!
Cheering and applause -congratulations you have been accepted.
Now you will repeat what you did a few years ago, signing up for programs, classes and clubs. The process will feel overwhelming but just remember to ask questions and reach out. Follow the directions of your counselors and reach out to the college representatives. They know exactly how to help you. Submit what the college asks as soon as you receive the life changing email. Start working on transcripts as soon as you can, they are the hardest part of the application. It is a long process, but they will have orientation and new student mixers. Remember you are standing shoulder to shoulder with other people just like you and of course there is always new swag to look forward to!! Be proud of what you have accomplished, it’s ok to be scared. Make an appointment with an academic advisor and visit the new student center. Always follow their suggestions and sail away pirate, you’re on your way to your next adventure
Seafood City is the largest Filipino supermarket chain in America with 38 locations across the country. They offer a wide selection of fresh produce, meats, seafood, pantry staples, international snacks, and more. At Seafood City, there are favorites from various cuisines all under one roof. Whether you are looking for a high-quality fish sauce, seaweed salad, or are in the mood for some instant noodles and snacks you cannot get elsewhere, this is easily the best place to stop by. Apart from groceries, Seafood City also carries kitchen supplies as well as prepared foods. However, it is vital to note that Asian grocery stores are more than just a grocery storeーthey serve as a community hub for people to gather together and appreciate their own or different cultures through food, which has the power to connect us all. The heart of Seafood City resides in their commitment to bringing authentic Filipino flavors to every meal, which includes their in-store dining experiences such as Bakers Avenue, Grill City, and Noodle Street.
On April 23, Zach and I visited our local Seafood City in Oxnard and, ambitiously, set out to cook a 6-course meal. Upon entering, we were in awe of the tremendous selection and it was difficult sticking to our original grocery list when presented with tantalizing items such as ube cookies, fruity soju, and entire coconuts with straws to drink from. Our goal was to represent a multitude of cultures, so the dishes we landed on were miso soup (Japanese), spicy rice cakes (Korean), shrimp spring rolls (Vietnamese), steamed fish (Cantonese), and mango sticky rice (Thai) for dessert.
For your viewing pleasure, here is our documented experience!
On April 25th, 2025 family, friends, and music lovers gathered at Gibson’s Neighborhood Bar in Downtown Ventura to celebrate VVicked’s album release party. The supporting acts included 4mor and Girldad. Comatose Treats also had a table to sell some delicious cookies. Read until the end to see some awesome pics and watch the concert coverage!
The first performer was 4mor, also known as Cris. Not only was he the opener, he also helped put the show together. Cristian performed songs from his first EP that just dropped April 15th! Cris describes his music as alternative indie. During his set, he brought out another local artist, Ahmod, and they performed their song together. Not only was Cristian celebrating his first ever live performance, he was also celebrating his birthday!
Next up was Girldad, a larger band made up of six members: Ava, Elizabeth (Lizzy), Vanessa, Crystal, Javier, and Jasmine. While at first they seem like a typical local band, there is a sweet twist to them. The band consists of three sisters, their father, and two friends!
Each member of Girldad had their own distinct style and embodied the look and feel of a 2000s punk band from a movie. Their set consisted of mostly covers, reimagined to fit their own unique style. The songs they covered ranged from a variety of artists and genres, such as Hombres G and Letters to Cleo, showing how versatile they are.
Gum Tree was their original EP that was released two years ago and included six songs. After realizing they wanted to improve the quality of the original songs, they decided to redo the recordings and add eight songs in total to create their album!
Elijah, Rya, and Sam (aka VVicked) record, produce, and master all their own music themselves right from their garage! While the band’s genre typically falls into the larger genre of alternative garage rock, they also explore genres such as psychedelic, surf rock, and punk.
As for vendors, were happy to have Comatose Treats set up a table and sell some delicious Cinnamon Sugar Smackdown cookies. Comatose Treats is a local cookie brand owned and created by Devonte Stepter. These are not your grandma’s plain cookies, Stepter has added his own flavor to the otherwise traditional recipes.
Although Chiques FC was unfortunately unable to vend at the event after all, you should still check them out! Chiques FC is a clothing brand that is run by Ian Hernandez, who also creates his own designs.
Overall, the event was filled with a lively energy and went smoothly. Bar goers were able to enjoy good live music and have a drink and a tasty treat before their nights out on town!
If you missed out on this awesome night, here’s a recap video Marilyn Huitron!
Here’s some more pics of the show and playlist featuring some songs from the artists who performed! As of now Girldad has not released any music. Keep an eye out for their releases by following them! Make sure you show some support to these local artists by giving their music a listen checking out their Instagrams!
When I decided to go back to school for the first time in more than a decade, I knew it would be a challenge, but I didn’t fully realize how much it would shift my day-to-day life. Between working full time, raising two kids, helping my husband run his business, and trying to still be a whole person in the middle of it all… some days feel like a total blur. This Reel is a little glimpse into the chaos, joy, exhaustion, and growth I’ve experienced in this season of my life. It’s not perfectly curated (because life isn’t). But it’s real, and it’s mine. If you’re in a chapter of life where everything feels like a lot, I hope this reminds you that you’re not alone. We’re all doing the best we can with what we’ve got.
