Arpy Simonian, a Women in Print Alliance member, didn’t follow a traditional path into print — she grew up in the industry, working in her father’s business for 20 years, but was never fully given the opportunity to lead. When she decided to leave, she faced a difficult reality: no financial backing, no clear roadmap, and no safety net. In this episode of Her Imprint, Arpy shares how she started her business from home, took on side jobs to fund her first press, and built Arpine Labels & Print entirely on her own.

Arpy also offers a candid perspective on confidence, gender bias, and what it takes to succeed in a male-dominated industry. From teaching herself every aspect of production to creating a company culture rooted in creativity and empowerment, she has built a story that is both bold and deeply inspiring. Her message is clear: don’t let fear stop you — learn everything you can, trust yourself, and go for it.

01:00 – Introduction to Arpy Simonian
02:00 – Starting Arpine Labels From Home
03:00 – Growing Up in a Family Print Business
04:00 – Not Being Taken Seriously as a Woman
05:30 – Leaving the Family Business After 20 Years
07:00 – Clients Encouraging Her to Start Her Own Company
08:30 – Starting as a Broker and Saving for Her First Press
10:00 – Buying Her First Digital Press With No Loans
11:30 – Learning Print Technology From Scratch
13:00 – Why Labels Are So Powerful in Branding
15:00 – Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
17:00 – Facing Bias and Building Confidence
19:00 – Teaching Herself Every Aspect of the Business
21:00 – Making Print Fun and Creative for Clients
23:00 – Encouraging More Women Into Print
25:00 – Advice: Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back