Who doesn’t love authentic Mexican cuisine? At La Flor de Michoacán in Ojai, authenticity is what has enabled their longevity and loyal customers for 25 years strong.
Upon arrival, you are greeted by the embrace of an inviting and powerful representation of culture. The artwork, the menu, even the advertisements – they stay true to the essence of Michoacán where much of the inspiration of the store is drawn from.
The store is proudly owned by the Local Lopez family, at the head of which are Martín and Ernestina Lopez. It is a one stop shop – a combination of both a restaurant and corner store. I had a great opportunity to interview Oscar and Ulises Lopez to discuss how La Flor’s journey has unraveled during its 25 year run.
“I think it all started with my dad’s first experience working at a similar store in Carpinteria” said Oscar Lopez, the son and long time employee of La Flor. “He learned from that experience and was able to translate what he learned to his own restaurant.”
Martín has collaborated with his elder son Ulises Lopez to create a menu that keeps customers happy day in and day out. Everything is made in house, including the fan favorite habanero salsa.
In a town where there seems to be an everlasting revolving door of restaurants and shops, staying relevant is a challenge, but not one they haven’t been ready to take on. “One of the biggest things is adapting to what people want so we can provide something for everybody… That’s one thing my dad has taught me…”
When asked about what it means to one day carry the legacy of the family store Oscar said: “To me, it’s like a golden goose being handed down, it means a lot. It means freedom. And I want to build upon it and maintain it… It’s a blessing.”
The passion held for the store and the family values they upkeep are unmatched and undoubtedly felt through the delicious, authentic cuisine made in their kitchen. The genuine want to connect with customers is seen through the many community events such as fundraisers for those in need, the raffle like the one held during this celebration of 25 years, and the constant updates to store inventory.
La Flor has been my favorite Mexican restaurant in the entirety of Ventura County, and it was a blessing to be able to celebrate the longevity they have created, and the history made. I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 25 years brings!
The celebration and raffle will be going on until the end of April. You can locate La Flor De Michoacán at 702 W El Roblar Drive in Ojai California – Open Every day of the week. Follow them on Instagram!
I usually start my day pretty early, especially when I know I have a lot to get done. One thing that helps me get into a good mindset is going to Ragamuffin before work. I like getting a drink and something small to eat and just sitting down to get some homework done before the day gets busy.
That morning, I got an iced matcha and a muffin and worked on a couple of assignments. Being in that kind of environment helps me focus way more than being at home, and I was actually able to finish two assignments before 9:30 a.m. Starting my day like that made me feel really productive and set a good tone for everything else I had going on.
Work Life
After that, I went straight to work and clocked in at 9:45. It was supposed to be a shorter shift, but it ended up being really busy, which made it feel longer than it actually was. We had multiple parties come in, including one with 31 people, so the restaurant was pretty packed.
It definitely got a little stressful at times, but I am used to that kind of environment. Working while being in school has taught me how to manage my time better and stay on top of things, even when it feels a little overwhelming.
Spending Time With Friends
When I got off around 2, I went home to pick up my dogs and then headed to Ventura Harbor to meet up with a couple of my classmates. They were there covering an event called “Short Dawgs In Da House,” which was honestly really cute.
Even though I got there toward the end, it was still fun. My dog loved it because she is really social and got to be around a bunch of other dogs. After the event, we walked around the harbor and got some ice cream since it was pretty hot out. It was a really simple moment, but after a busy day, it felt nice to just slow down and hang out.
Time To Reset
Later, I went to a yoga class at Grassroots Yoga, and it ended up being one of the best parts of my day. The class focused on breathwork and a sound bath, and it was exactly what I needed after such a busy day.
The whole atmosphere was really calming, and I felt relaxed the entire time. It was a nice break from how busy the rest of my day had been, and it helped me slow down and just be present for a bit. The staff there were also really welcoming, which made the experience even better. It is definitely a place I want to keep going back to.
Ending Of The Day
After yoga, I went to the beach for a little bit just to be by myself and relax. The sunset was really pretty, and being there helped me clear my head after such a long day.
When I got home, I made some tea and watched Law & Order: SVU, which is one of my favorite shows. It is kind of my go-to way to end the day and just fully relax.
Reflection
Saturdays are usually my busiest days because I try to fit everything in, including work, spending time with friends, and catching up on homework. It can feel like a lot when the day is packed from morning to night, but it is also the day where I feel the most productive.
Even though it gets overwhelming at times, I have learned how important it is to balance everything instead of just focusing on one thing. Being able to get my work done, still have a social life, and take time for myself all in one day makes it feel worth it. Days like this are busy, but they also remind me that I am capable of handling a lot at once.
Ozeki Noodle, located on Esplanade Drive in Oxnard, is more than just a restaurant. It is a family-rooted business that has become a familiar part of the community over the years. Although the owner does not know the exact year it opened, they believe the restaurant began sometime in the late 1990s or early 2000s.
According to the owner, family was the original reason for opening the restaurant. That family-centered beginning still shapes Ozeki Noodle today. More than just a place to eat, the restaurant offers a welcoming environment built on tradition, connection, and service.
When asked about the restaurant’s signature dish, the owner pointed to “Udon”. The dish stands out as a staple of the menu and reflects the comforting style of food the restaurant is known for.
The owner also shared that what they enjoy most about running Ozeki Noodle is the people. Serving customers and connecting with the community continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
That connection is clear in the experience of returning customers. One customer said, “I always come back for the spicy pork and for their great service.” Their comment highlights not only the restaurant’s food, but also the hospitality that keeps people coming back.
The owner also shared an older menu, showing that prices used to be much lower, a reminder of how much times have changed for small restaurants. Even so, Ozeki Noodle continues to stand out as a place that offers both quality food and a strong sense of community.
Ozeki Noodle shows how a family-driven restaurant can become a meaningful part of a city. With its signature udon, popular spicy pork, and strong customer service, it continues to offer Oxnard a place where food and community come together.
Ozeki Noodle |349 W Esplanade Dr, Oxnard, CA 93036
If you’re a Ventura College student, or know a college student you may already know how stressful things can really get with classes, assignments, work, and trying to have some kind of life outside of school. Especially around midterms and finals, it can feel like everything just hits at once. Because of that a lot of students have their own ways to deal with stress such as these in this article.
Finding places to slow down?
One thing that came up a lot when it came to my survey on how my peers deal with stress is just getting out of the house and going anywhere outside. A lot of people mentioned going to the Ventura Beach when they need some time to theirselves. They mentioned just walking, sitting, or listening to music but being by the water seems to help a lot of people clear their head and slow things down.
Location:The Ventura Pier Beach
Changing study spots
Another thing students said they do to relieve stress and boost their workflow is changing where they study. Staying in the same place all the time can make you feel stuck and sometimes unmotivated, so going somewhere like Starbucks down the street from school, Honey Cup Coffee House & Creamery, or Heritage Coffee can actually help a lot. A different environment plus a little bit of coffee can just make it easier to lock in and get things done according to students.
Exercise and Staying Active
My personal favorite way to relieve stress and keep me going is exercise and working out. When I get overwhelmed and am feeling stuck I tend to just get a quick work out in or get my body moving then I come back to doing my assignments with a refreshed mind. Places and things to do could be things such as students going to the Ventura College Gym, going on a run around campus, or even just something simpler like walking around campus. It’s less about working out seriously and more about getting out of your head for a little while and coming back to things with a clearer mind.
Spending Time with Friends & Family
Last but definitely not least hanging out with friends is a great way to relieve some stress. Out of all the things students said they did to relieve stress, almost all students said that hanging out with friends helps more than anything. Even if it’s just a quick break, talking and laughing with people can take your mind off everything.
This past weekend before Spring Break I decided I was going to go to this art expo by my house. For what reason? Because the ad I found on Instagram was titled “Star Wars, Marvel, DC Art Expo” and that’s all I needed to see to be hooked.
The Amazing Art Expo!!!
First time ever hosted in Oxnard, CA, this event was a 3 day free event that landed on Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29 was such an amazing and fun event to go to. The venue was at the Staybridge Suites (River Ridge) in Oxnard, California. The featuring art they had displayed were Anime, Video Games, Star Wars, Horror & Monster Art, Disney Princesses/Characters, Marvel, DC Comics, Lord of The Rings, DND/Fantasy & Dragons and more!. “A representative and collective of 12 different artists such as: Christopher Clark, Nastiya Grushovenko, Dominic Glover, Adam Michaels, Ashley Raine , and many more! Everything around the room was hand drawn created by an artist, nothing was made by AI in this room.” said by Rachi Felici, one of the events organizers. As you can see this is extremely amazing pieces of work drawn and presented here. All of the art really brought out my nerdy side because I knew every genre of art that were there. From the Harry Potter art to the One Piece art. My favorite, of course, was the Star Wars art. You can check out the Amazing Art Expo website below —- https://amazingartexpo.com/?srsltid=AfmBOootJRVg1c5I8pNZMms-Xi4-3-qRCFqC0HHPhNZrru2ZKua58f4H
Voice Actor Appereances
Many people from all over came by to this event. They had voice actors like David Sobolov, who voiced the villain Kaido in One Piece, and he has voiced many other known characters throughout his career.David Sobolovis a Canadian voice actor and director, best known for his roles as Gorilla Grodd in various DC media, Drax the Destroyer in various Marvel media, Kaido in One Piece, and various characters in the Transformers franchise; notably Depth Charge in Beast Wars: Transformers, Shockwave in Transformers: Prime, and Battletrap and Apelinq in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
David Sobolov, March 27, 2026 at the Amazing Art Expo in Oxnard,CA
Cosplay Costumes
This 3 day event wasn’t only just art for 3 days, it was also a Cosplay Event. On Saturday and Sunday of that event, there were many people in there costumes ready to enjoy all of the art, artists, voice actors and be apart of their favorite niche. I saw many costumes such as Clone Troopers from Star Wars, Monkey D. Luffy costumes from One Piece, Disney Princesses along with people dressed up as their favorite anime and horror film characters. Saturday and Sunday reminded me of a smaller version of Comic Con, but with a lot art and cool looking cosplay costumes. You can check out Amazing Art Expo Instagram below —-
As a student at Ventura College, I’ve always known there were resources available to help students succeed, but after speaking with Pete Parker, Director of Development for the Ventura College Foundation, I realized just how much support is actually available behind the scenes.
The Ventura College Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students overcome barriers that may stand in the way of their education. Whether it’s financial struggles, housing challenges, food insecurity, or even transportation, the foundation works to make sure students have what they need to continue their academic journey.
One of the biggest ways the foundation supports students is through scholarships. This year alone, the foundation is awarding over one million dollars in scholarships, which is an incredible milestone. These scholarships can make a life-changing difference, especially for students who might otherwise have to pause or stop their education due to financial stress.
Pete explained that the foundation’s goal is simple: remove barriers so students can succeed. While financial support is the most common need, the foundation also works closely with programs like the Ventura College Basic Needs Center and the Promise Program to ensure students are supported in every aspect of their lives. These programs provide essential resources like food, school supplies, and additional support systems that help students stay focused on their education.
What many students may not realize is that some of this support is made possible through community involvement, including the Ventura College Marketplace, which helps generate funding that goes back into student programs and scholarships. This connection really shows how the campus and the community work together to support student success.
Something that really stood out to me was learning that the foundation is actually separate from the college itself. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works as an external partner, connecting the community to the college. Through donations and partnerships, they are able to fund scholarships and support programs that directly impact students.
The scholarship process is also much simpler than many students might expect. There is only one application that opens in October and closes in February. From there, students are matched with scholarships based on factors like GPA, major, and personal background. The foundation also provides workshops and support through the Writing Center to help students submit strong applications.
What makes the foundation truly special is the connection between donors and students. At the annual scholarship ceremony, donors get to meet the students they are supporting, creating a meaningful and personal experience. Pete shared that seeing students smile, celebrate, and even cry tears of joy when they receive support is the most rewarding part of his work.
As a recipient of two scholarships myself, this experience is incredibly personal. Being a single mom returning to school, support like this makes it possible for me to continue my education and work toward my goals. Receiving two scholarships through the Ventura College Foundation has been life-changing, and I’m deeply thankful to the donors who made that possible. Their support goes further than they may ever realize.
At the end of the day, the foundation’s mission is clear—they want students to succeed. They want to see students achieve their dreams and continue growing even after they leave Ventura College. It’s not just about the time spent on campus, but about building a lifelong connection and support system.
If you are a student at Ventura College, I highly recommend applying for scholarships and exploring the resources available. You never know how much support is out there until you take that first step.
Being a community college student is about more than just attending classes. Many students are balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities while also preparing for their future careers. Every day looks different for me, and sometimes unexpected plans can change routines. As a student working toward completing my social media marketing degree, I am constantly learning how to manage my time, stay motivated, and continue building my career at the same time.
This article shares a realistic look at one day in my life as a community college student who is not only completing assignments but also working, creating content, and preparing for life after graduation.
Morning Routine: Resetting After a Busy Weekend
On most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, my morning starts very early, around 4:30AM, so I can get to the gym before starting the rest of my daily responsibilities. However, this particular Wednesday looked a little different because I had just returned from Coachella Weekend 1, and my body needed a bit more time to recover. So, instead of waking up before sunrise as I usually do, I started my day at around 7:00AM, which gave me a much-needed boost to fulfill the day’s requirements.
My morning routine still focused on getting organized and preparing for the day ahead. I filmed a Get Ready With Me video, which is part of the content I create daily as I continue building my presence in digital media. Creating content has become an important part of my daily routine because it allows me to practice skills related to my future career in social media marketing. In addition, it is just something I enjoy doing on a daily basis.
Even on slower mornings, I remind myself that preparation sets the tone for the rest of the day.
Late Morning: Turning Free Time into Productive Time
spend a realistic day in my life with meeee!🌞🤍 #dayinmylife#Vlog#spendthedaywithme#diml#studentlife @Palm & Boy Coffee and Acai @Nespresso @Califia Farms @Garage Clothing @abercrombie & fitch @Aritzia @Wildflower Cases
Around 9:00AM, my day officially began moving. I was already dressed and ready, so I filmed the start of my Day in My Life video by showing my outfit for the day. I made coffee at home and ate breakfast, which was leftovers from the night before (a tostada with beans, cheese, ground beef, and salsa). It was a simple meal, but it gave me the energy I needed to keep my focus.
Before heading to study, I made a quick stop at Costco to get gas and a car wash. Small errands like these are part of everyday life, but they still require planning and time management. After finishing my errands, I drove to Palm & Boy Coffee and Acai to study before class. This is one of my favorite cafés (Fun Fact: I used to work here back in 2019!)
I arrived at the café around 10:00AM, ordered an iced dirty chai with almond milk, and settled in to get some work done. This was important because it allowed me to prepare for class while also working on creative projects.
While studying, I filmed and created a short video for TikTok featuring a lip combo using my new Rhode products. Creating content while studying might seem unusual and/or odd, but for me, it is part of building my career. It allows me to practice marketing, filming, editing, and branding skills in real time!
Attending Class: Investing in My Future
After studying at the Palm & Boy, I left to attend my 11:30AM Digital Content Marketing class. Attending class is one of the most important parts of my day because it provides the knowledge and skills I need to succeed in my field. I am enjoying this class because it allows me to connect, in person, to peers with similar interests as me! As a community college student, I have learned that my education is an investment in my future.
Balancing school responsibilities requires a ton discipline and focus. Even on days when I feel tired or busy, I remind myself why I started this journey in the first place and what goal I am working towards.
Afternoon: Working and gaining Real-World Experience
After class, I drove to Thousand Oaks, where I work. Before clocking in for my shift, I picked up lunch from Jersey Mike’s and prepared for the rest of the afternoon. I worked from 1:30PM to 6:00PM, helping customers and managing various other responsibilities at my job.
Working while attending school has taught me valuable skills such as time management, communication, and responsibility. These skills are just as important as the lessons I am learning in the classroom. Having a job also helps me gain real-world experience that will, hopefully, be useful in my future career.
My workday marked the end of my Day In My Life Vlog, but my responsibilities did not stop there.
Evening Reset: Finishing Responsibilities and Preparing for Tomorrow
After finishing work at 6PM, I drove home and continued organizing my space. I had just returned from a busy weekend at Coachella, so cleaning and resetting my environment was necessary to feel prepared for the upcoming week. Resetting the space is always helpful in creating a more productive environment.
Even after a long day of school and work, my responsibilities were nowhere near completed. I am currently taking Excel and we usually have a variety of assignments due on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Since this was a Wednesday, I still had a full list of assignments to complete. This part of the day requires extreme discipline, especially when I feel tired.
Later in the evening, I went to grab dinner at In-N-Out. Taking time to eat and relax is important because it allows me to recharge after a full day of responsibilities.
By the time I finished dinner, it was around 10:00PM, I took a shower, prepared for bed and got ready for my nightly “scroll-time”. Nights are a time for reflection and recovery. Even though the day was super busy, I was proud of everything I accomplished with my time management and organization. Now I am one day closer to building my dream career.
Reflecting: Becoming a Girl Boss One Day at a Time
This day in my life shows that being a community college student involves so much more than just going to class. It requires dedication, organization, and motivation. Everything I do, whether I am studying at the café, working a shift at my 9-5, creating content, or studying and doing homework, plays a role in building my future.
As the end of the semester approaches, I continue to focus on developing my skills, gaining experience, and preparing myself for my career in digital marketing. And while everyday looks different, one thing remains the same: all of the effort I put into each day helps me shape my opportunities for the next day to come.
Here’s a hard truth; In this day and age, almost everyone- if not struggling themself, knows someone that is struggling.
10 years ago, mental health was talked about a fraction of the amount it is talked about now. It has become a bigger conversation than ever, especially for students. Between school, work, relationships, the pressure to “have it all figured out”, and just trying to be a decent person, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and even isolated.
But one thing keeps coming up in these conversations: community matters.
The term “community” can mean a lot of things, so it’s important we define it before we start valuing it. Community is found in the people we spend time with, the spaces we feel comfortable in, and the interactions we have daily. And while many people think of community as a big, obvious display of connection (clubs, organizations, large groups), it can also be a lot simpler. For most students it can look like a friend you can talk to between classes, a local barista that knows your order, a phone call with someone you trust, or a teacher that checks in on you. Living in a small town, and especially one as warm as Ventura, most of these aren’t foreign concepts.
According to conversations with several Ventura College students, one of the hardest parts of struggling mentally isn’t always the stress itself, but it’s feeling like you have to deal with it alone.
I talked with a senior named Relle; she shared,
“I don’t think I realized how much I needed people until I stopped seeing them regularly.”
It’s a feeling that’s more common than we think.
While there isn’t a “twice daily pill” or quick fix to struggling with mental health, connection does make it more manageable. It is our human nature to need places where we can let loose, laugh, talk, and not feel like we’ll be voted out like “Survivor” for being ourselves.
Building real connection can start with small, consistent choices. Here’s some ways students are already doing it:
Becoming a “regular” somewhere. Coffee shops, a study spot, walking around campus, showing up consistently creates familiarity, and with enough effort, connection.
Invite. Be the first to reach out! If everyone always waited for someone else to include them, no one would be invited anywhere. Take the initiative, even if it’s scary, it’s better than not trying at all. Here are some suggestions from VC students,
“Do you want to grab coffee? Would you want to study together? Can I give you a ride somewhere?”
3. Put your phone down! (Sometimes) Most people’s phone is their digital implant- hardly ever leaves their hand. Feeling that someone cares enough about what you’re saying to give you their full attention doesn’t go unnoticed and means so much more than you think. Think back to any time you’ve been talking to someone that’s on their phone. I bet it still conjures up just as much frustration now as it did then. Now think back to a conversation you’ve had with someone that looked you in the eyes. I bet you felt much more listened to, much more cared for, and much closer to that person. Listening is how we build connection, and therefore, community.
4. Low pressure. If you feel that every interaction you have to have with a person has to be meaningful, deep, and groundbreaking, that can be a lot of pressure. And chances are, you don’t always have the energy for those types of conversations. So keep it light, take the pressure off, and meet people where you are. Taking the steps to reach out, even causally, ensures you don’t slip away to an island of isolation, and that you continue to build reliable relationships.
Having “Go-to” spots also helps. Ventura naturally creates opportunities for connection (you just got to take advantage of them).
You can try: Any one of our beautiful beaches or walking paths, coffee shops (Daylight and Moon, Freedom Coffee, and Room Service are some of my favorites), places on the VC campus (the library, student center, outdoor benches/quad), local parks or lookout spots (Cemetary park, Arroyo Verde park, Surfers Point).
Having places you can depend on makes planning so much simpler. One student said,
“Something about being out in nature makes it so much easier to open up.”
I couldn’t agree more, and Ventura makes that extremely accessible.
If there’s one takeaway, let it be this: you’re not supposed to go through everything yourself. When things feel hard, or stressful, or completely overwhelming, it feels easy to push people away and deal with your problems alone. But trust me when I say, that won’t solve anything. Building community, especially in the hard times creates relationships to last. Community won’t solve all your problems, but it will help you remember that you’re seen, supported, and not the only one figuring things out. You don’t have to completely uproot your life and change your schedule, or friendships, or habits. You just have to put in a little effort. Text someone. Sit with someone. Invite someone. It might matter more than you think.
Meet Chipotle! She is a 5 year old pitbull currently at the Ventura County Animal shelter. She is a staff favorite there at the shelter, known for loving to cuddle and everyone she meets, even new faces. She even helps welcome new volunteers on their first day. She loves plushies, ear scratches, and is very friendly towards all.
Chipotle’s daily life at the shelter is simple. Living her days in an outdoor kennel, going on walks, and interacting with staff and volunteers when possible. She lives in a busy and loud environment, like many animals in the shelter, which can affect their wellbeing. It can be stressful, yet still, when given those moments of attention from people, it can make a big difference in her day.
We treat people and animals with dignity, empathy, and kindness.
VCAS
The Ventura County Animal Services’ mission is to improve the lives and well-being of the animals in their care while they wait for adoption. Staff and Volunteers provide food, medical care, cleaning, and assistance in finding potential homes. They strive to show compassion in the community and educate pet families to support the human-animal bond.
Chipotle has been at the shelter since December 17, 2024, 486 days. Even though she is well-loved at the shelter and very friendly, she has yet to find her forever home due to misconceptions about her breed. The other main reasons for this are that she struggles with other dogs and can pull on the leash during walks. Despite these challenges that can be worked with, Chipotle has shown how she would love to be a part of a family (as a couch potato).
Volunteers play a big role in supporting the shelter’s daily work. Nicole, a VC student, explained why she decided to volunteer.
“I had some downtime, and having visited the shelter a couple times, I was really interested in volunteering.”
“For my English class, we had this assignment where we’d write an essay about something we’ve never done before…so for that assignment I volunteered!”
She described how volunteer work depends on what the shelter needs each day. “You refer to what’s on the schedule or whiteboard and allocate yourself to where you’re needed,” she explained. Tasks can include laundry, donations, dish washing, kennel washing, and refilling treats. This depends on what needs help with at the moment. As Nicole told me, “Everyone’s doing something.”
Volunteer and Mercury! (fellow dog in shelter)Sabrina Carpenter, the Bearded DragonVolunteer Tasks
Some volunteers also work directly with animals through walking and enrichment activities. Nicole explained that the enrichment helps keep the dogs engaged while they wait to be adopted. This includes playtime and training-based activities like “click for quiet,” which rewards calm behavior.
Balancing school, volunteering, work, and personal life can be difficult. For example, even with the little time Nicole has had since picking up more hours at her job while being in school at the same time, she still dedicates her downtime to doing 2-3 hours a week. This shows just how much effort a volunteer has to make to help out. Everyone has different circumstances, yet they still do their utmost to contribute in any way they can to help these animals in need.
Overall, the Ventura County Animal Shelter relies on both staff and volunteers to care for animals like Chipotle. While she waits to find a home she’s supported by people who help out in many different ways.
The community can help to make a difference, like volunteering, adopting instead of shopping, or just helping spread awareness. Even a small amount of help can have a positive impact, especially with issues like overcrowding in shelters.
If you’ve ever walked into a workout class and instantly felt out of place, you know how intimidating fitness spaces can be. That’s exactly what Karen, a Ventura College alumna and owner of The Routine in Ventura, wanted to change.
Karen didn’t always plan on opening a Pilates studio. She actually owned a beauty business in downtown Ventura for about 10 years, spending long days doing lash extensions. Over time, the work became physically demanding and pushed her to look for new ways to move and feel better.
So she started trying different ways to move her body going to the gym, taking group classes, doing yoga. But nothing really stuck until she found Pilates. She said she immediately loved it. It didn’t just feel like a workout it made her feel good, energized, and actually excited to move. The only problem? The closest studios were far away.
So instead of settling for that, she decided to bring Pilates to Ventura herself.
When she first opened Routine, it wasn’t perfect and she knew it wouldn’t be. Teaching was new, and things didn’t go exactly how she expected. But she leaned on her community, built a team, and now about nine instructors are still with her today. She strongly emphasized how important her team is to her, and how much they’ve helped shape Routine into what it is today.
What really makes Routine stand out isn’t just the workouts it’s the environment. It’s supportive, safe, and welcoming. People start recognizing each other, building real connections, and it begins to feel like a second home.
Now Routine is expanding to Santa Barbara, something her clients actually pushed for. For Karen, it’s about stepping out of her comfort zone and bringing something new to a different community. She said what excites her most is connecting with new people and making their day better.
At the end of the day, her story is simple: don’t wait for perfect. Believe in your idea, take the risk, and don’t be afraid to fail. Because sometimes the best things start with just trying something new.
VC Social 