Our Story.

The one on the left is Kevin, and the one on the right is Ardavan (me). We’re 25 minutes apart. We’ve owned and operated Graphicwise, Inc. since 2000. We aren’t your typical designers. I’d say we’re entrepreneurs first, who happen to be great at design.

We were born in Iran in 1971. Our parents had a large guesthouse behind our house, which housed 3 Americans. They were like family. We went to an American school with the kids of American and British embassy workers. Life was great.

The Islamic Revolution took place on a gloomy day in 1978. The U.S. Embassy was stormed by Islamic fundamentalists and 52 Americans were taken hostage for 444 days. The number of hostages would have been 55, except Olga, Frank, and John happened to have the day off and were home with us.

Days later our house was raided by revolutionary thugs looking for the “Americans”. Our parents hid them in the basement, knee-deep inside a heating oil tank for the better part of 16 hours. Eventually the thugs left, and my parents paid off a truck driver to drive Olga, Frank, and John to the Turkish border and eventually back to their home in Alabama.

We fled Iran in 1984 with only $6,000 in my parents’ pocket. Our mom had to take a job in Downtown L.A.’s garment district as an underpaid and abused designer, and my dad started translating news for the Persian radio station earning $4 per hour.

Seeing them under so much financial stress and eventually divorcing, Kevin and I decided to step up at the age of 18 and support them financially and emotionally however way we could.

30 years later, we are supporting them, putting on a smile, and not letting them in on our own financial struggles – especially when times get tough, clients cancel, or recessions hits. In their mind, we are successful and the source of their pride.

That’s why we decided to reach out to you. At age 49 we NEED to get it right. We NEED to succeed beyond just barely paying our bills. We don’t want a handout. All we want is an opportunity.

Bottom Line.

Please take a chance on us. We are confident that we can add a tremendous amount of value to you and your companies. From branding, design, web, to packaging, posters, and endless creative and marketing ideas.

[email protected] | 949-690-1610