Carmen Rad | CR&A Custom
Founder and President
At the age of 25, Carmen refused to allow her career to plateau as an assistant and used her background in fashion design and marketing to launch CR&A Custom. With just one employee (her mom) and no outside funding or equity with which to secure a loan, she worked tirelessly out of her extra bedroom and began producing custom clothing, promotional items, and embroidery work. Soon after, she convinced her husband, Masoud, to be her partner when he realized she was actually making a profit. Together, they pivoted from an apparel promotional company to a large-format printing company.
In an industry dominated by men, Carmen Rad has had the type of success that Latina women can emulate. CR&A Custom is among only a handful of large-format digital printing and outdoor advertising companies inAmerica that is minority (Hispanic) and woman-owned. CR&A Custom operates out a 25,000 square foot facility in the heart of downtown LA and is full-service with the capability to design, manufacture, print, and install commercial signage and outdoor advertising formats, including billboards, building wraps, tradeshow exhibits, wall/window/floor graphics, point-of-purchase displays, vehicle wraps and fleet graphics, and more. Examples are the oversized banners at Staples Center and LA Live entertainment campus as well as work for major corporations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Dubai.
Carmen has been recognized by a variety of organizations for her work and community involvement:
- 2018 Latina Empresaria Hall Of Fame – California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- 2016 Industry Service Award – The Printing Industries Association, Inc
- 2015 Women Business Firm Of The Year – National Association of Women Business Owners California
- 2014 Mujer del Ano by the Regional Hispanic Institute
- 2013 Innovater of the Year – Latino Business Chamber of Greater Los Angeles
- 2012 Supplier of the Year – USC
- 2010 La Opinion – Distinguished Women
- 2009 Member Of The Year – National Association of Women Business Owners California
- 2009 Latina Manufacturer of the Year – Latina Business Association
- 2009 Rising Star – National Association of Women Business Owners California
- 2009 Green Firm of the Year – SBA & City of Los Angeles MBOC
- 2008 Rising Star – National Association of Women Business Owners
- 2007 Minority Business Manufacturer Of The Year – U.S. Dept of Commerce MBDA
- 2007 Latina Owned Business Of The Year – California Hispanic Chambers Of Commerce
Carmen also served in 2014 and 2015 as the President for the National Association of Women Owned business Owners (NAWBO-LA).
Carmen attributes her success to her amazing CR&A team and the amazing network of women she has met through her leadership at NAWBO-LA. Carmen also has another rising business venture called HashtagCutouts!