Today we’d like to introduce you to Mario Aragon.
Hi Mario, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi my name is Mario Aragon and im 38 years old. I was born in Mexico but was raised in Dallas from the age of 8. I’m married to my high school sweetheart. We have 5 children together, ranging from a newborn to 20 years old. My son Damian is the oldest. He has been my right hand man ever since he was born, and then we have four beautiful daughters. I dropped out of school my senior year to work and be a father. I’ve worked many different trades along the way and learned many different things.
In my early 20s, I was venturing out and trying to work for myself doing home installations, remodeling, painting, etc., but business was slow so I started looking for a job and landed a job at an installation company in Dallas.
Due to my previous experiences I became one of the top, highest paid employees at the time. I took pride in my work, and that paid off. Designers starting noticing my quality of work, and wanted to work with me personally. But I still chose to stay working for the company because it was comfortable and because I knew working for yourself wasn’t that easy. I had so much fun at that job. I got to travel to New York, California, Washington DC, and many other places over the U.S installing art, and working with designers from all over the world. It opened my eyes to a new world. I ended up staying with that company for nine years before Covid hit. Most of us were on unemployment at the time. We were struggling to get by so in my spare time, I decided to follow my first love which was drawing and painting. My years of experience from working with artists and designers, art galleries and art collectors gave me the insight on what sells. While still working at the company I decided to start creating content of my daily routines, the art I hung, and the artists I got to meet. I mixed comedy with decor, fashion, artistry, and everything else that I thought was fun and interesting. I made sure to always be original and just be my self. My followers on my Instagram started increasing and I became an art vlogger by accident.
Other designers that worked with the company started contacting me personally due to my content and my professionalism. Since the company was slow. I had to take a risk, so I started doing side jobs until my boss decided he wasn’t happy with me working for myself. I decided to leave before I got fired. I only had $2,000 in my bank account left over from our income tax return. I wanted to provide for my family at any cost. I started collaborating with artists, designers, galleries, and many other people in the industry, and started slowly creating clientele, but it was slow at first. I started painting to not waste time. I promised myself I would show up for myself daily! I would create value with my time on the days that no jobs came in.
I started a clothing line called ARTGANG. I created my own logos and a few people reached out and wanted to know who made my logos, because at the time, a lot of people seemed to be starting little side businesses as well to make ends meet. So from that, I started creating logos for small companies and friends of mine. I was balancing selling merchandise for my clothing line, creating logos and installing art to make ends meet.
My art installation company starting growing and jobs were picking up. I advertised myself on Google, Thumbtack, Yelp and a few more apps that helped me get my business to the next level. I specialize in fine art installations and other things that has to do with home decor and home design. Working for myself and creating my own schedule gave me more freedom to pursue my dream to become an artist and launch my clothing brand. I learned that the art industry is a monopoly of rich people that buy art for crazy amounts of money. I met artists that make millions a year, which of course is super inspiring and would be a dream come true to create art and get paid for it. So that’s what I’m chasing. Art lives forever. I promised myself to create 25 pieces to showcase.
One of my pieces was a Willie Nelson portrait that I created and made out of scraps of leather. I posted it on Instagram and it caught the attention of a few people. I ended up getting invited to a private party/ art show to present some of my pieces. It was my first time showcasing my art.
The experience was amazing! I got to meet designers, art collectors, business owners, entrepreneurs, videographers, photographers, all walks of life that were interested in the same things as me; trying to create a beautiful world where people can socialize and share ideas.
My passion is creating art and being with my family, making memories and watching my kids grow up. I love to invest in my family. I love working, and I love what I do, but putting smiles on my kids faces is my greatest achievements. And giving my wife everything she needs is a gift from God. I’m already rich, I’m already fruitful because of the family I have been blessed with. I am the king of my home and I feel complete! I walk by faith and not by sight, because running your own business is a challenge, which let me add that I couldn’t do all of this without my beautiful wife.
I have big plans for 2025. I’m thankful for family and friends and everyone that has supported me over the years. I’m thankful to be in this situation and I’m privileged to tell my story.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In life, there’s always challenges and obstacles. This is my third time, trying to start a business and I can say failure is part of success. I accidentally stumbled into what I do today but I truly believe it’s where God led me to be. I’m a small company just me and my son. It’s been so smooth thanks to him. Growing my clientele in the beginning was one of the most challenging things I would say, but the more content I create it the more I keep growing. Now I’m entering my 3rd year and thankfully my schedule is always full.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my line of work what I do is install different items on different wall surfaces or mount them from the ceiling. I am a master installer of many things. But I specialize in high-end fine art installations. My specialties are my attention to detail and my experience in interior design after working 15+ years with some of the best award-winning design firms in Dallas. I have developed many skills to elevate my performance and my efficiency. I am known for my professionalism, my artistic vision, and my ability to problem solve. I’m also known for my quality work and my generosity, I always have a smile on my face. I’m blessed to be where I’m at and I’m extremely thankful to be in this position.
What I’m most proud of is being a father, a husband, a family man! And now a business owner, artist, and entrepreneur. I was looking for freedom and I found it doing what I love! I’m proud that I overcame every obstacle to be here. But only by the glory of God I’m here. I’m proud that I never gave up and kept following what I believed in my heart. If you have faith and believe in yourself, you will be proud of the results that will come out of that.
What sets me apart from everyone else is that I love what I do! And I do it to the highest of my abilities so I consider myself the best in the art game. My experience in fine art installations has propelled me to become a better artist/designer/installer. And my work ethic is incomparable, because when you love what you do, you will always do your best and that will always set you apart from the rest.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
There’s really nothing I do that I don’t show on social media. I’m an open book! But I guess something I would say people don’t know about me is that I’m very interested in conspiracy theories. (which let me add a lot of which are slowly becoming true.) I grew up in the streets and thankfully found God at an early age. I love learning more about the gospel and growing in faith having a personal relationship with God.
I guess something else people may not know about me is that I love fashion! I have my own clothing lines ArtGang and ArtLife. I’ve also made a few ski-mask designs. I created a clothing line for my son called CashOut Season. Even though I haven’t gone through the whole process of a big scale manufacturer due to my art business taking off, it is something I’m eager to get back in to. Having so many ideas on the back burner kills me sometimes. But my unique styles of design are for all artists, creators and designers such as streetwear to high fashion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artagonmasterinstaller.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artagon_master_installer?igsh=MXRrNm83MnV1ZDA5OQ==
