Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlos Fabre.
Hi Carlos, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey began at PACE University, where I honed my entrepreneurial spirit, which was further shaped by studying Advertising at Miami Ad School and delving into electronic music production. This eclectic educational background laid a firm foundation for my multifaceted career.
Relocating to Los Angeles marked a pivotal turn. There, as a freelancer and eventually, through a mobile agency, I immersed myself in diverse projects with top-tier brands and entertainment entities like Disney, Lionsgate, and HBO’s Game of Thrones, which honed my skills in handling high-profile campaigns.
At 28, I launched Artqult Los Angeles, a venture that was not just a streetwear and skateboarding brand but also a practical education in advertising, marketing, and brand management. Growing Artqult’s digital presence to an 800,000-strong audience through strategic online campaigns was an experience that solidified my expertise in leveraging social media and influencer partnerships for brand growth.
Today, my boutique marketing and advertising agency reflects the evolution of my professional capabilities, managing a dynamic team and servicing clients like PONT CVC and IMLOS Records while also exploring potential partnerships in the fashion, automotive, and music sectors.
My entrepreneurial portfolio spans three companies: DopeTronix Kreative, a digital marketing powerhouse; Work Tank, an advisory firm in VC and PE; and IMLOS Records, my record label under which I, as Carlos Fabre, have achieved a quarter-million streams across platforms.
In collaboration with my father at PONT CVC, my role extends beyond creative direction to fostering brand equity and spearheading initiatives in investor relations and project scouting. Our latest venture into tech, developing an app poised to make a significant industry impact, is a thrilling new frontier.
Constantly at the crossroads of growth, learning, and evolution, I’m committed to pushing boundaries and embracing future-facing opportunities.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Embarking on my entrepreneurial path has been a true odyssey of learning and adaptation. My venture with Artqult Los Angeles was less about financial gain and more a masterclass in the essence of entrepreneurship. It was there I sharpened my skills in marketing and brand management. While the brand garnered name recognition, the crucial lesson came from understanding that notoriety doesn’t always equate to sales. Navigating this taught me invaluable lessons about the commercial heartbeat of a business—revenue generation.
Currently, my focus has shifted towards mastering investment acquisition and managing a sales force—critical components of a business’s financial engine. In the challenging landscape of the music industry, as both an artist and a label owner, I’ve cultivated a dedicated audience. Yet, the stark economics of streaming platforms have revealed that live performances are the real moneymakers, presenting a lifestyle shift I am preparing to embrace.
With my marketing agency, we are beginning to build a reputable brand, especially after making waves in industry contests. Our reputation is growing, but to truly leave a mark, we understand the need to scale our operations more rapidly.
The VC and PE advisory firm is gradually carving out its presence in the industry. Although we’re on the cusp of greater client commitment, it’s PONT CVC that stands as the pillar of my current and future endeavors. It’s here that I see the most substantial potential for sustainable growth and wealth, especially as we pivot towards the burgeoning tech sector. The trajectory of PONT CVC suggests not just a prosperous future but also a testament to the resilience and agility required in today’s fast-paced entrepreneurial landscape.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Artistry has been the undercurrent of my life since childhood, with my journey into music production beginning at the tender age of 16. I still vividly recall the joy of my friends and I cruising down Highway 635, the wind weaving through our hair as my first track played on the stereo of my dad’s Chrysler Sebring—a quintessential moment of youthful exuberance and creativity.
During my time at PACE University, a fellow student—my first fan—heard my music and predicted my future recognition as an artist. His early support was a beacon of encouragement, spurring me on to create not just music but also to express myself through design. Photoshop and Illustrator became my tools for crafting logos and designs that resonated with my peers, further solidifying my reputation as an emerging creative force.
In Los Angeles, my identity morphed into a duality: the founder of a streetwear brand that captured the city’s eclectic vibe and a sought-after creative freelancer specializing in entertainment, fashion, and beauty. My work—spanning packaging to digital and social media—garnered recognition, propelling me beyond the confines of a one-man operation into dynamic team-led projects.
My portfolio, which extends across platforms like LinkedIn, SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube, is a testament to my diverse talents. As a designer, marketer, advertiser, and advisor in mergers, acquisitions, venture capital, and private equity, I’ve built a portfolio that not only showcases my work but also serves as a nexus for my entrepreneurial ventures. You can see the breadth of my creative and business endeavors through my various online presences:
• TheRobertoFabre.com: A window into my personal artistry and design work.
• DopeTronixKreative.com: The digital marketing agency where creativity meets strategy.
• PontConsultants.com: A consulting firm that signifies my venture into the strategic corporate sphere.
• WorkTankLimited.com: A testament to my advisory prowess in the high-stakes world of VC and PE.
• ArtqultLosAngeles.com: The streetwear brand that became synonymous with LA’s modern skateboarding culture.
• ImlosRecords.com: My music label that amplifies my voice as an artist and nurtures new talent.
Each site is a chapter of my story, reflecting a passion that transforms into tangible success. My journey is far from complete, and I look forward to the paths that lie ahead with a heart full of music and a mind for business.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
The fondest memory from my youth is the countless hours spent skateboarding with my friends at what we affectionately termed the “Crazy Thing”—a challenging gap in our local parking lot. It was our proving ground, where we tested our limits and cheered each other on, each of us attempting more audacious tricks over the gap.
This wasn’t just about skateboarding; it was the genesis of my journey in media and film. We’d record our sessions, each of us eager to capture that perfect trick on tape. Then came the meticulous process of editing—piecing together these moments into videos that were more than just recordings. They were our aspirations laid bare, our visual pleas for sponsorship from the local skate shop and later, index.
Our skate team, Ambidextrous, became more than a group of friends; it was a lesson in collaboration, design, and self-promotion. Through it, I learned the intricacies of team dynamics and the power of branding. We were not just skaters; we were a collective, marketing ourselves, forging an identity that would resonate with onlookers and potential sponsors alike.
This microcosm of street culture laid the groundwork for what would eventually evolve into my own skateboarding and streetwear brand. The lessons learned at the “Crazy Thing” went beyond skateboarding—they were my first foray into the world of entrepreneurship. The brand I own and market today is a direct descendant of those early days, rooted in the passion that drove us to leap over that gap, both literally and metaphorically.
Contact Info:
- Website: DopeTronixKreative.com | PontConsultants.com | ImlosRecords.com | WorkTankLimited.com | TheRobertoFabre.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imlosrecords/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabre589
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/C3vMWqoUhr0?si=rTd-Ril_QtG7UoST
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/imlos?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
Image Credits
Jen Pagliari
