Denise Cardona

Denise Cardona is the Owner of Printworks.Solutions, a printing brokerage based in Salinas, California, which she established with her late husband in 2018. With 40 years of experience in the printing industry, she has built an extensive career spanning customer service, accounting, billing, production, scheduling, management, and sales. Her journey began when she responded to an advertisement for receptionist and secretarial work, learning the printing trade on the job under the mentorship of her late employer, Andre. She gradually advanced into accounting and billing, production assistance, scheduling, and production management, eventually overseeing operations at two facilities before transitioning into sales, where she generated the majority of the company's revenue. When her former employer streamlined operations, Denise and her husband recognized an opportunity to establish their own brokerage using the client relationships she had developed. Today, she holds certifications as a Green Business and a Women-Owned Business and was featured in the Carmel Pinecone's Women in Business section in 2022. Through Printworks.Solutions, Denise provides printing brokerage services, helping clients find the right solutions for their needs while managing budgets, production expectations, and deadlines. She attributes her success to her Type A personality, responsiveness, attention to detail, and commitment to consistent service. Her professional philosophy is shaped by advice from her late mentor, Andre, who reminded her that the customer pays the wages, and her father, who encouraged her to challenge herself and continually enrich her life. Denise values honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic. She believes in communicating clearly, taking responsibility for mistakes, and making things right for her clients. She also encourages young women entering the printing industry to know their products, understand customer needs and expectations, and become familiar with the options available to them. Outside of her professional life, Denise enjoys spending quality time with her 28-year-old daughter, with whom she shares an exceptionally close relationship. They speak twice daily and enjoy shopping, dining out, attending concerts, and sharing their love of baking, decorating, and Harry Styles. They also enjoy decorating their home for parties and holidays, creating a welcoming gathering place that has become the house where their friends love to spend time. Denise is an avid fitness enthusiast who regularly visits the gym, practices kettlebell training, participates in high-intensity workouts, and plays pickleball. She is also a member of The Club at Pasadera in Monterey, California, where she enjoys connecting with friends. A natural entertainer, Denise loves hosting gatherings, cooking, and baking, finding great joy in bringing people together through food and hospitality.