It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Hollywood Sign in North Hollywood, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in North Hollywood, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I want to begin by thanking the owner Amy for being so helpful! She walked”
“Amy and her team are taking care of my grandmother and they are so communicative”
“As a staff member at Always Best Care Senior Services, I’m proud to be part”
“This company is a delight to work with , They are so helpful and professional”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office”
“I want to begin by thanking the owner Amy for being so helpful! She walked me through step by step while I was already very stressed. Her patience was beyond helpful. We were sent Carmen to tend to my grandfather and she was a delight! Punctual, clean, and had great attention to detail. I must say her speaking both English and Spanish was a definite win. I would recommend ABC to anyone in need!”
“Amy and her team are taking care of my grandmother and they are so communicative and sweet. The caregivers really cared about my grandma too and my family and I trust. We enjoy working with them so much and they are also such a good source of support for me and my family, and my grandmother loves the company when we are at work. Thank you guys!”
“As a staff member at Always Best Care Senior Services, I’m proud to be part of a team that truly cares about the seniors and families we serve. The company creates a supportive and respectful work environment where caregivers are valued and encouraged to provide the highest level of compassionate care. Management is responsive, organized, and always focused on making sure both clients and staff feel supported. It’s rewarding to work for an organization that prioritizes dignity, reliability, and genuine kindness in everything we do. I’m grateful to be part of a team that makes such a positive difference in the community every day. ????????”
“This company is a delight to work with , They are so helpful and professional in our time of need. I highly recommend Always Best Care for your loved one , they go above and beyond.”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office manager Christina are a pleasure to work with. I love what I do, but the best part is that I have a company who cares for their employees.”
“I love working With Always best care of Studio City, the owner Amy and office manager Christina are a pleasure to work with. I love what I do, but the best part is that I have a company who cares for their employees.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Valley Village Park in North Hollywood, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Firefly or visit Crossroads of the World, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in North Hollywood, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in North Hollywood, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in North Hollywood, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Fehr.Hi Camille, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?Ever since I can remember, I wanted to dance. I grew up in San Jose, CA, and started dancing at just two years old. And as I got older and began developing my own voice and opinions, I fell more and more in love with the art form. When I was eleven, I won my first dance scholarship at a convention, and that was when I started taking my training and competing more seriously. I b...
Today we’d like to introduce you to Camille Fehr.
Hi Camille, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?Ever since I can remember, I wanted to dance. I grew up in San Jose, CA, and started dancing at just two years old. And as I got older and began developing my own voice and opinions, I fell more and more in love with the art form. When I was eleven, I won my first dance scholarship at a convention, and that was when I started taking my training and competing more seriously. I began competing as a soloist, attending additional conventions and competitions, training in workshops and intensives, and exposing myself to dance outside of my normal studio environment. I especially loved getting to work with and train under different choreographers and professionals who gave me an idea of what a dance career could look like.
A very pivotal moment in my life and career was when my dance teacher told me that I should pursue commercial dance. I didn’t know exactly what that entailed at the time, but I trusted her and went for it! We found an audition for the Movement Talent Agency, and my mom and I drove from Northern to Southern California for me to audition. Huge shoutout to my mom for making that trip to LA (and so many others) possible. I didn’t get signed at my first audition, but six months later, I auditioned again and got signed with MTA!
That opened my eyes to the world of dance on film and the professional dance industry: music videos, commercials, awards shows, movies, television, and so much more. I was fascinated by it and quickly realized that this was the side of the dance industry I wanted to pursue. Throughout high school, I auditioned and self-taped as much as I could and worked when opportunities came up, while continuing to focus on my training and refining my technique and skills. I also knew that I wanted to attend college in Southern California so that I could be closer to these opportunities too.
I went on to study dance at Chapman University in Orange, CA. I truly loved the program, and I also appreciated that college gave me a transition between my childhood life and adulthood. I learned a lot about dance, but just as importantly, I learned a lot about myself, independence, and what it takes to work toward the career I wanted. Being in Southern California also gave me the chance to take professional dance classes in LA, audition, and work whenever I could while I was in school.
I was incredibly eager to graduate and fully step into the professional world, so I literally moved to North Hollywood the day after graduation. Since then, it’s been quite the journey—taking classes, auditioning, self-taping, rehearsing, working, acting, shooting, studying, and constantly learning. I even completed a cruise contract, where I had the opportunity to work alongside amazing and kind professionals who I had always been inspired by. Every experience has taught me something new, and I’m incredibly grateful for how far dance has taken me and am excited to where it will continue to lead me!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?A part of my career that I’ve personally been learning to understand is that everybody’s journey is different, and the right things will happen at the right times for all of us.
Sometimes, when I’m not booking for a while, or when I see other people booking jobs that I can envision myself on, it’s easy to think, “Why didn’t I book that?” or “I should be working on that.” Instead, over the past year, I’ve really been working on trusting my own journey.
If I’m working, I’m doing my best to bring a vision to life and bring my energy to the project. If I’m not working, I get the opportunity to train, grow, and work on myself. If I didn’t book a job, I remind myself that it wasn’t meant for me—and that there’s something else out there that is. In an audition room, all I can control is showing up as my personal best, both in spirit and physicality, and enjoying the process. I can’t control whether the people in the front of the room choose me. I can only control what I bring into that room.
Those are a few of the mantras that have been running through my head lately. I know that I’m meant to be here, and I have a place here. I’m always grateful to be living my dream—to be showing up, putting myself out there, and going after what I know I can do.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?I am a storyteller. I discovered through my early dance training that exuding the feeling of music, movement, and lyrics comes very naturally to me. If a song sounded emotional, I could easily express that through my performance, and the same went for songs that felt joyous, humorous, angry, or anything in between.
I’m fueled by the ability to connect with an audience—such as non-dancers and people who are willing to feel something. I seek to impact people and help them understand more about themselves by telling stories through movement, words, and/or actions.
Recently, I’ve been expanding my artistic knowledge by taking acting-centered classes alongside my constant dance training. These classes have allowed me to explore a different side of my artistry, one that focuses more on the internal experience. What physically happens when I feel a certain emotion? How can I fully step into a scene, both physically and mentally? How can I allow what I’m feeling internally to influence what an audience sees externally?
Storytelling doesn’t always have to begin with movement. It can begin with a feeling, a thought, or a moment—and I’m excited to continue discovering all the ways I can bring stories to life.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?I’ve been very lucky to have had a few inspiring mentors who have helped me grow into the person I am today!
In terms of finding a mentor, there has to be an exchange. You have to be willing to trust, to be guided, and to openly learn from your mentor. At the same time, the mentor has to be willing to share their knowledge, experiences, and perspectives with you.I feel like my mentors have shown me they clearly have faith in me and believe that I can succeed. And I think they know that I believe in myself and in my ability to succeed as well. They know that I want to succeed, which helps them trust that what they are sharing with me will be put into good hands.
Additionally, it’s really important to have someone who can see the potential in you, but who can also see potential beyond what you believe is imaginable for yourself. It can inspire you to reach beyond what is directly within view and achieve more than what you thought was possible.
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Image Credits Disney Channel, Wes Klain Photography, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disneyland Parades, Netflix
Suggest a Story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know
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[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Korean BBQ North Hollywood just got a major upgrade with the arrival of 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse. This gorgeous new space in the heart of NoHo is designed for the neighborhood to enjoy delicious Korean BBQ, gather at a full bar, and relax on a spacious patio.We wanted to get to know a little more about 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse so we asked the founder and CEO Jun Lee a few questions!Hi Jun, tell us why people should come to 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse? What is special about it?...
[NoHo Arts District, CA] – Korean BBQ North Hollywood just got a major upgrade with the arrival of 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse. This gorgeous new space in the heart of NoHo is designed for the neighborhood to enjoy delicious Korean BBQ, gather at a full bar, and relax on a spacious patio.
We wanted to get to know a little more about 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse so we asked the founder and CEO Jun Lee a few questions!
At 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse, we focus on creating a premium Korean BBQ experience that combines high-quality meats, thoughtful side dishes, and a comfortable, modern atmosphere. What makes us special is our Premium combo dining concept, where guests can enjoy a balanced meal with carefully selected BBQ cuts, traditional Korean dishes, and curated drinks all in one experience.
We also put a lot of attention into the dining environment. Whether guests come for dinner, drinks, or a night out with friends, we want 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse to feel welcoming, relaxed, and a little different from the typical Korean BBQ restaurant.
We chose North Hollywood because the area has a great mix of residents, creatives, and young professionals who enjoy trying new dining experiences.
While Koreatown has many Korean BBQ restaurants, we felt North Hollywood was the perfect place to introduce a modern Korean steakhouse concept to a different community. We wanted to create a spot where people in the Valley and the NoHo Arts District can enjoy high-quality Korean food without having to drive far.
Our cuisine is rooted in traditional Korean BBQ, but we present it in a more modern and refined way. We focus on premium cuts of meat, fresh ingredients, and balanced flavors. In addition to classic BBQ, we offer a premium combo or à la carte menu, appetizers, grilled meats, Korean comfort dishes, and desserts in one complete meal.
We also pair our food with a full bar, including wine, soju cocktails, and craft drinks, to create a dining experience that feels both authentic and contemporary.
Yes, we welcome dogs on our outdoor patio as long as they are well-behaved and kept on a leash. We love being part of the neighborhood, and we want guests to feel comfortable bringing their pets when they dine with us outside.
Great news!! So dress up your dogies and yourselves and head over to the beautiful brand new 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse on Magnolia and have some fun!
I was able to taste some of 350 Atelier’s delicious offerings myself last week and wow. For Korean BBQ in North Hollywood, 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse really stands out if you want something a little more elevated. I hadn’t had Korean BBQ before, and I may not be able to go anywhere else ever again. I had the most delicious selection of appetizers and three different kinds of beef.
First, the appetizers. I do love pickled vegetables, but the shake shake cucumber was superb and the glass noodles, which is kind of a warm salad with fresh shiitaki mushrooms and a delicious light dressing, were so delicious. I also had some of the corn cheese side dish, which was a revelation. Sweet roasted corn in a light creamy cheese sauce…yum. All the appetisers, and there are many, are really a wonderful way to share small dishes with a group. The BBQ is in the center of the table and when they serve the meat they actually cook it for you. The service is actually wonderful and they are more than happy to describe each dish and how it is prepared. Most of the meats are marinated and they are tender and beautifully flavoured. We had the ribeye, the short ribs and the tenderloin. All cooked to perfection, thinly sliced, buttery and melt in your mouth good. I have not had such a fabulous meal in a long time and when I have a special occasion, or even if I just want to treat myself, 350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse is definitely where I will go!
350 Atelier Korean Steakhouse is a brilliant addition to the NoHo food scene. The restaurant is elegant and still relaxing, and you certainly feel as if you are worlds away from work or kids or the troubles of the world. It’s peaceful and warmly welcoming, the food is genuinely phenomenal, and the service exceptional. Just the perfect place to enjoy good company and wonderful food. I highly recommend it!!
???? 11050 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA 9160
???? (818) 308-6232
???? https://350atelier.com/
Open daily.
Lunch ServiceMon-Sun 12PM – 4PM
Dinner ServiceMon–Thurs 5PM – 11PMFri 5PM – 11:30PMSat 12PM – 11:30PMSunday 12PM – 11PM
Happy Hour daily from 5:00 PM to 7 PM at the bar only.
Instagram@350atelier
They post updates, special menus, and events on their social media, so guests can follow them to see what’s new.
Today we’d like to introduce you to Aiman Akhtar.Hi Aiman, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.My story started in 1987, born to father in Karachi Pakistan, population 15 mil, and mother from Mumbai, India, population 22 mil. As a result of the nation-states partition, I found myself raised between two worlds, and spending a lot of time in a third dimension, that of cartoons. I was obsessed with animated stories, to the point where I would not he...
Today we’d like to introduce you to Aiman Akhtar.
Hi Aiman, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.My story started in 1987, born to father in Karachi Pakistan, population 15 mil, and mother from Mumbai, India, population 22 mil. As a result of the nation-states partition, I found myself raised between two worlds, and spending a lot of time in a third dimension, that of cartoons. I was obsessed with animated stories, to the point where I would not hear anyone yelling outside the door when I was locked-in to my favorite shows. In 1999 my family immigrated to the US, specifically to Chicago IL, population 10 mil, where I attended High School, and worked my first job at Hollywood Video movie rentals, and then a second job at Blockbuster Video movie rentals! I was enchanted by Pixar and Miyazaki, and an anime Otaku forged by Cartoon Network’s Toonami, and I decided to pursue animation professionally at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I graduated with a BFA in 2008…. Right in the middle of an epic financial and jobs crisis. This taught me perseverance, and I stuck to my guns and found work for 6 years as a 3D Artist at various advertising studios for Commercial brands including McDonald’s & Harley-Davidson. My personal work was calling me towards storytelling, ideas that would leave an emotional impact on the viewer, so in 2014 I pursued a career in Entertainment to LA, population 18 mil, and the reason I keep bringing up demographics is to emphasize that I was always an urban kid, growing up around diverse throngs of hustling humans all out pursuing their dreams. I started in commercials, previs and vfx, and to set myself apart, I started specializing in emerging tech, specifically 3D printing. I have a passion for translating appealing 2D character designs to 3D sculptures, and this got me noticed by LA studios. Got to work on engineering large scale 3D printed & articulated sculptures at Alliance Studio with Steve Wang, fellow animal lover & famed creator of the Predator. Next I taught slicing/keying workflow to artists at Aaron Sims Creative creating concept art maquettes for movie/show pitches like Stranger Things and Aquaman. And then sculpting even smaller-scale miniatures in the style of Dungeons and Dragons games for the Hero Forge character creation engine. Made the jump to sculpture & 3D printing for stop-motion animation with Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, working on Supermansion, Ultra City Smiths, & Santa Inc. Then got my dream job as Digital Design Director at Nickelodeon Animation Studios, working on all the characters, sets and props for feature-quality animated show “Max and the Midknights”, ssn 1 & 2. which just wrapped after 3 years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?This road has been anything but smooth, a laughably bumpy ride even! As I mentioned, I graduated during the recession of 2008, then when I arrived in LA in 2014, the bulk of good animation jobs had already been outsourced internationally, and studio art jobs pursued financial subsidies out to Georgia, Vancouver, UK, and New Zealand. Surviving in LA has been a constant process of learning and adapting to new technologies and various job needs. I persisted working as a 3D artist but I had to hop between industries till I got my “break”, from VFX, to Toys, to Tech, to Games, to Stop-Motion and then finally Realtime CG Animation. The 2020 pandemic also sidelined by independent creative ambitions, and led to a divorce with my then partner, after 15 years together, which really rocked my self-esteem. Though after just 8 years in LA I had achieved my “dream job” of working a creative sculpting job for an animation giant like Nickelodeon, I found myself struggling to grow outside the limited constraints of “creative production-artist”, and I realized I really wanted to be a “Creator/Producer” a part of the storytelling, show-running and direct emotional impact on the audience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?Since wrapping at Nickelodeon, I’ve found industry jobs are scarce right now, especially with Ai replacing the small sustenance gigs, and almost nothing is getting green-lit in Hollywood under a Trump presidency there’s a lot of fascist tech oligarchs playing mergers and monopoly to maximize exponential profits for their shareholders at the expense of the working class. So I’ve been making rent by freelance contracts as a sculptor, or physical lighting art installations, and even performing as a fire spinner, various stagehand work, Task-rabbit and Lugg app, helping folks move with my pickup truck, can’t have an ego when times are tough, gotta lean on community and tangible skills, survive till we can thrive again.
I’m not going to mince words, we’re in a recession right now, and it’s important for artists to create more than ever; to give others hope and build something you’re proud of, that only you can create, so I’m producing animated content with my own eco-characters, Fungisaurs! Our ???????? creatures born from little spores, that grow like mushrooms, sprout legs and turn into little dinosaurs, and then grow quickly from tiny, “A Bug’s Life” scale, all the way to Kaiju-scale to promote conservation of our planet & it’s biodiversity! The idea is something I’ve been developing for a while, and through an initial Kickstarter we were able to produce an independent mystery-box toy line, sold 15k toys and were carried in 200 independent stores. Then we raised funds to create a cutting-edge augmented reality app to bring the toys to life. Now I’m pitching an animated series and seeking Equity Investment in order to scale our animation development pipeline to become a fulltime indie Youtube content creator. In a sea of AI slop, the way to stand out is Studio-Quality, Intentional, Creator-Driven Storytelling, so check out our website and follow our IG and Youtube to enjoy human-made Fungisaurs shorts!
It’s hard to say what I’m most known for in community, at this point it’s probably all the costumes I enjoy styling and collaborating on, and my shibari practice, which is rope binding and somatic touch to make peeps feel cared for and adored. These were post-pandemic hobbies that came out of a need for connection, self-expression and caretaking others in my circles, but the thing that sets me apart is that I really hyper-fixate on my passions. I commit to the bit because it really helps me learn who I am, and that’s the meaning of life, self-realization, being and knowing yourself as genuinely as you can.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?Networking is how I’ve gotten every job I’ve ever landed. Even folks who interviewed me and couldn’t hire me earlier on, I stayed connected with and they hired me later in my career. I’ve gotten work through college friends, and friends of friends, and if I can do it, anyone can. Generally speaking, there’s only a few rules to any business, do a good job, deliver on time, and don’t be a dick… It’s surprising how many people mess that up. I will say, if you’re serious about any specific career title, get methodical about your networking. Research names of 20 people who have the job title you want now, list their websites and contact info, reach out to them on Linked In and tell them you admire their work and want to do the same, request informational interviews/lunch, feedback on your portfolio, connect with their directors, update them and everyone else every few months with your progress, your website updates, new personal projects where you learned something new, etc, eventually you will be water cooler conversation amongst those who have a need you can fill and your name will be dropped at the right time/place. Professional art field in animation/games/entertainment is very competitive, don’t compare yourself to your fellow students or friends, compare yourself to the best working in the field and strive to grow. You really won’t know what you’re capable of till you try, if its an option, go for it!
Contact Info:
818-572-2799
