Meet Monica Ahluwalia and Carlos Giron of Design Depot in West Houston

Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Ahluwalia and Carlos Giron.

Monica Ahluwalia & Carlos Giron met and became pals at their ‘real job’ at a company called INTECH Process Automation here in Houston. Monica is an originally from Kenya; she has lived in, and traveled to many countries, and within the US. Monica has a degree in Microbiology from the University of Wisconsin, and a degree in Art-Illustration from the Pratt Institute of Art in NYC. She had to leave Kenya permanently and settle in US in 1999 after a tragedy took the life of her Father and Brother at the same time. She has lived in Houston with her mother since 2005.

Carlos, is originally from Venezuela. He has a degree in Electronics Engineering from UNEXPO in Venezuela. He moved to Houston in 2012 and lives with his sons. He has a daughter in Venezuela and hopes to have her here in Houston soon.

Needless to say, they both have a passion for Art and Design. They have totally different styles…Monica likes to splash paint and is a colorist…creates detail with designs, mixed with Expressionistic Realism. Someone once told her that she paints like a Microbiologist! She admits that she cannot draw a straight line with a ruler.

“Carlos is a very Measured Designer…and paints and creates Art ….like an Engineer…..Surprise! Realism and Detail oriented. Everything is just perfect and Wow!

The leg work to start the business came and fell into place VERY quickly…..almost right after a short discussion over dinner with friends…….The idea had been brewing in both their minds for years….so it just made sense!…..The work of getting the funds, finding a suitable location….and all the build-up took about 5-6 months and Design Depot opened its doors on Jan 9th, 2017.”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Nothing is ever a smooth road…..there have been years and years of struggle especially for Monica. In 1999, she, and her parents and brother were attacked and shot inside their home in Kenya. Armed thugs put 120 bullet holes in their car when the family tried to go to the hospital. Unfortunately, Monica’s father and brother did not make it.

Monica was not expected to make it either with 8-9 bullet wounds….but somehow she did. Her mother was also shot but fortunately survived too. Monica was not expected to walk again…after a month in the hospital….her mother flew her to NYC with support from family and friends….. then began the tough recovery….many years and many surgeries, battle with stage 4 cancer…..but she is determined, and passionate and has dreams still to fulfill….and of course, her mother, who is her biggest reason and strength to never fall.

Carlos….moving from Venezuela with just half of your family is a far from ideal. Carlos, did….first with his oldest son. He has worked hard, and finally his second son was able to come live with him in US….now the struggle and wait for his youngest…his daughter. Hard work and determination has paved his road forward for his family.

So….all Monica and Carlos would like, is to have Design Depot grow and Flourish all over the US and the world and be able to give both their families a comfortable life……but also, to be able to give support to other Artists, Designers, and Artisans around the world who have so much talent and skill, but is camouflaged with the burdens and struggles to simply survive. LEG

DESIGN DEPOT LLC – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Design Depot in Houston Texas offers a unique atmosphere for Artists, Designers and Entrepreneurs to communicate, collaborate and create…..so let’s ‘MAKE A SPLASH!! together. We want Design Depot to be very very successful, but we’d also like to be a part of other people’s successful journeys…Sure we are a Print and Ship Store, but the biggest difference that we can take a bow on is that we DESIGN, Print and Ship.

If you want to promote your business and have no idea about logos, design work, web sites, promotional pieces….we can sit down with you, gather your thoughts, and ours, and create something super! If you want to change something you already have, we can help you.

Graphics – Web Design – Art Vectorization – Fine Art

Business cards – Copies – Booklets – Brochures – Flyers

Posters – Banners – Signs – Envelopes – Cad drawings

Stickers – Promotional merchandise – Tee Shirts- Vinyl

Lamination – Lazer Engraving – Jewelry – Home Goods

Stationary- Murals – Paintings- Custom Art- Artwork prints- & much more

We are not only commercial Designers, but we are Fine Artists as well….we can create custom Art…..murals, paintings, Jewelry, Clothing…..the sky is the limit…so from Graphic Design, to Fine Art and everything in between…we can take care of it!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
This is just the beginning, and the road is endless……we can see so many people on our path, rather than push them aside to move ahead, we like to take them with us. Success is when you grow with, and within the community or communities you serve. No one can be successful all on their own.

Design Depot we hope, will be very very successful…..we are just a tiny start-up right now, hopefully with the support of those whom we will be privileged to do business with, we will one day be successful enough to boost the lives and livelihoods of many individuals and start-ups like ours.

We cannot really define success at the moment. Right now, it’s relative, and every tiny step forward is successful…..and success is boundless…..if the sweat stops trickling down Design Depot’s neck tomorrow from the fear that we may not make our expenses…….that will be success!! We have a ton of passion, optimism and faith, that Houston will push us to SUCCESS!!

Contact Info:

• Address: DESIGN DEPOT LLC.
  13310 WESTHEIMER ROAD #150
  HOUSTON, TX 77077
  HOURS
  Mon-Fri: 10am to 7pm
  Sat: 10am to 6pm
  Sun: 10am to 3pm
• Website: www.designdepotonline.com
• Phone: (281) 497-8288
• Email: INFO@DESIGNDEPOTONLINE.COM
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/designdepotbycarlos
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/designdepotonline/
• Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/design-depot-houston

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.