Ellen's Silkscreening Recognized by 'L.A. Business Journal'

Congratulations to  who was named Los Angeles Business Journal’s 100 Biggest Women-Owned Businesses in Los Angeles County for the fifth year in a row.

Here's her story:  

In 1978, Daigle (a recently divorced registered nurse at the time, with 3 small children) took some courses on sign painting in order to work at home and be near her children. Silkscreening was one of her courses and in 1978, Ellen opened a shop in her garage.

Her three young daughters helped, of course, and she began going door to door for business. Her hard work paid off. Six years later, she opened a store front in South Pasadena. 

Through a project with KRLA Radio, Ellen began working with Joe Daigle, the Art Director at the time, which eventually led to Joe leaving KRLA to work with Ellen full-time. Ellen and Joe married in 1984. 

It was in 1984 that her big break came when she secured a contract with the Olympics, and she expanded the business. 

Ellen is active in local politics and one of the founding members of , a women’s political group in town. Ellen has been on the Parks and Recreation commission for eight years and was the chair for two of those years. She served on the Community Redevelopment Commission for 4 years and is currently serving on the Public Safety Commission. 

In addition to the Los Angeles Business Journal award, Ellen has been recognized by the following: 

• 1994 Ernest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 
• 1994 Industry Award for Ethics & Excellence by Press Magazine 
• 1995, 1996, and 1997 Ellens Silkscreening honored with the "Industry Service Award in Excellence" 
• 1999, 2000, 2005 & 2007 Ellens Silkscreening named one of the top 100 women-owned businesses in Los Angeles County by the L.A. Business Journal 
• 2000 Inducted by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) to its "Millennium Hall of Fame" 
• 2002 Woman of the Year awarded by Congressman Adam Schiff 
• 2008 Woman In Business awarded by State Assembly member Anthony Portantino & State Senator Carol Liu 
• Previously honored by Business Life Magazine as a woman of Achievement 

Patch Asks: Have you been to Ellen's Silkscreening?