“How do you do it?,” is the first question Trina Luong and Chris Staiano usually hear from people who discover they are a married couple who own a full service graphic design studio, The Yellow Loft. It becomes clear, as the couple frequently tends to explain it works because their personalities complement one another.

“I could never be the creative, zany Chris!,” said Trina. Chris notes, “I could never be as eloquent in discussing business and design as T.”

Married for five years, Creative Director Trina and Principal Chris have a life that works. A four-mile commute from downtown to Belmont Shore, two French Bulldogs, a sunny office — and a clear adoration of one another. The couple met 10 years ago at the CSULB Graphic Design Program, but didn’t launch their business right away.

In their early years, Trina worked independently as a graphic artist, and Chris in the marketing division at Warner Brothers. But after Warner Brothers offered him a promotion, Chris knew he wanted to go out on his own, and The Yellow Loft began.

“I never looked back,” Chris said, looking lovingly at his wife.

Upon entering their partnership, the two jumped in with both feet. “We were a bit green,” Trina said. “But we’ve been able to figure out what our dual needs are and make the balance work from there. If I’m too overwhelmed with work, I need to step back and take a day off.” Trina and Chris spend 40 hours a week in the office with three employees. Trina said time spent at work has been beneficial for the two. “Our quality of life changed for the better,” said Trina, “because you get more time back.”

Chris said he tries to keep his wife’s needs as a priority in the workplace. “I give her space to do what her role entails, and it’s mutual,” he said. Trina and Chris have figured out which roles they are best suited for — both as spouses and as business partners. They also have another priority: making sure each partner gets time to do their own thing.

For Trina, that means going shopping, traveling and hanging out with her girlfriends. Chris has an obsession with remote-controlled cars, movies, target shooting and a vinyl toy collection. “He’s on Ebay a lot!,” laughs Trina. Chris’ office reflects a collection of colorful TokiDoki skateboards, limited edition statues and other collectibles.

Trina said her experience working with Chris has made her encourage other people to work together. “It forces you to look at yourself a lot more, and figure out what can create balance,” she said.

Trina said what she loves most about working with Chris is that he is a great person. “He’s got such a good skeleton of goodness. It’s addictive, and I love myself more because of who he is,” she said.

For Chris, it’s the simple pleasure of seeing his wife on a daily basis that keeps him happy at work. “The fact that she’s here and in my life is key,” said Chris. “I’ll sometimes pop my head up over the splash just to look at her.”



A typical day for Jim and Masy Bunnell starts at 4 a.m. Masy feeds 10-week-old son Parker, checks emails until 6:45 a.m., and then wakes up five-year-old Sophia. School drop-offs start at 8:30 a.m., after which Masy heads into the office with Parker. Although the Bunnells tend to spend early mornings running a number of errands, the two manage to always appear alert and energetic.

For this couple, life is all about family and community.

From their day-to-day business operations to their participation in the non-profit community, their success is built on their close-knit relationship and love for Long Beach. The Bunnells own Total Network Solutions, which provides IT services for businesses in the city. Masy said she loves spending up to 40 hours a week working with her husband because it allows them to squeeze in quality time together. Masy appreciates the conversations at work without the kids. “There’s a lot of jokes or ‘I forgot to tell you this’ moments, which are very special to me,” she said.

Two years ago, Masy quit a demanding job in politics to join TNS, which wasn’t always smooth sailing. “I gave my notice about four times in the first six months!,” Masy laughs. “To all of a sudden come from one industry (politics) to another (technology) was a challenge. It was very humbling.” By getting on board at TNS, the Bunnells were able to have what most couples want: more family time.

Jim credits much of the company’s success to his wife. “I put everything in her hands and don’t worry about it. We wouldn’t be in the position we are now without her,” he said.

After Jim launched TNS in 1998, the couple wed in 2004, welcomed their daughter Sophia in 2005 and their son Parker last November. Everything became a balancing act. “Masy never lets me get too far in the work zone and lose sight of what’s really important, which is family,” said Jim while smiling at Masy.

In addition to their annual family vacation, last year the Bunnells went on a romantic Italian getaway to Rome, Florence and Venice. Recently, the couple spent their weekly date night on the rooftop at Michael’s Restaurant.

When the Bunnells are not working and making time for each other, they make an effort to get involved in other activities.

The couple volunteer with numerous non-profit organizations. Jim found his calling when asked to serve on the Long Beach Day Nursery board. The nursery is the area’s oldest childhood care facility providing low or no-cost day care to working parents.

Masy discovered her passion with Children Today, a local organization that provides free child care and family support services to children experiencing homelessness in the City of Long Beach. Children receive specialized early care and education services designed to counter the traumatic effects of homelessness while parents receive assistance transitioning from homelessness to a home.“Families receive dental care, immunizations, or planning for families to transition from homelessness to their first apartment,” said Masy, who has been on the board for almost two years. “I love it.”

Jim is quick to attribute the success of TNS to the generosity of the Long Beach community that has supported them. “We’ve grown so much as a couple and as a business,” said Jim. “We owe a lot to the city for where we are today.”



Downtown residents Ella and Victor Carrillo have a lifestyle that glamorously combines both business and personal.

The Carrillos own the ID Agency, a full-service marketing business. Their long work weeks include three months of travel a year, dealing with clients such as Xbox and Puma, and masterminding events with celebrities. It all began with having Long Beach as their perfect backdrop.

“When we moved here, we knew no one,” Victor said, adding, “Long Beach is our own world. Ella’s a huge beach person and I’m a city person. We just love the diversity of Long Beach — you can have it all here.”

Envisioning a better lifestyle, Victor defected from the daily grind to launch the agency in 2004, just a year before meeting Ella. He had been working in marketing and advertising for car brands when he decided to move the business across the street from the couples’ loft.

“We wanted the center of our life to be in Long Beach,” said Victor. “Ella left her corporate job and business began to grow. Then we started lifestyle marketing, so now we really are a full-fledged marketing firm. [The business] needed Ella’s touch.” Victor credits his wife with securing the first fashion brand, which is now just as big as their automotive division.

Ella also fostered a humanitarian side for the business. “For years, we didn’t do non-profit work. Ella comes on board, and eight months later I’m in El Salvador as a United Nations Election Monitor,” Victor said. “I got to see her [native] country and participate in the cleanest election they ever had. It was a huge change for their country.”

Business travel is one area where life tends to get hectic, the Carrillos said. On a recent trip to Virginia, the two crossed paths as each headed to two separate business meetings. “We were on the phone with each other as we passed the other by, Victor pulling up to [the client] while I was on my way to the airport,” Ella said. To break away from the hectic business travel, the two typically try to piggyback a workweek with a romantic weekend. Their most recent retreat was to Mexico.

Victor said being married for two years has only enhanced relationships with their clients in the workplace. The Carrillos are expecting a baby boy in May, and have shared their joy with their clientele. “Clients have a personal connection with us. Today, we had a conference call with a client managing PR damage control. But their first question was how Ella was doing with the pregnancy,” said Victor.

Ella said she has developed deep admiration for her husband since she began working with him. “People depend on him and trust him. All of the feelings I have for him, other people have for him too,” Ella said, while gazing at Victor. “I love him as a businessman, and he’s just as good as a husband. There’s a good balance.”

Victor said the best thing about working with his wife is getting to share all of their achievements. “These days you spend more time with people you work with than your own family or friends,” said Victor. “We are really connected. Life is so fast-paced, and this is really special. We love it.”