Daily Inspiration: Meet Alan Abeyta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Abeyta.

Hi Alan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a graphic design student, I needed to find a way to pay for school. I landed a job at a camera store that also offered picture framing services, and I was placed in the framing department. What started as a side job quickly sparked a new interest.

After graduation, I pursued a career in graphic design, but the roles never seemed to go anywhere. The firms I joined either closed their doors or moved away from hiring designers like me, relying more on faster and cheaper computer-based solutions.

In 1993, I relocated to Arizona so my wife could pursue her architecture degree at Arizona State University. I began working for the original owner of Framin’Works, and just two years later, in 1996, I purchased the shop.

Meeting with clients and developing creative solutions for their framing needs filled the artistic void I had felt in graphic design. Wanting to deepen my knowledge and skillset, I pursued professional certification and am now a Certified Picture Framer (CPF) through the Professional Picture Framing Association (PPFA)—a distinction held by only a few in Arizona.

Now, 29 years later, Framin’Works has grown into a team of eight dedicated professionals. We’ve been honored with Phoenix Magazine’s Best of the Valley award in 2011, 2023, and 2024. In 2020, we expanded into Scottsdale with the acquisition of Best Lil Frame Shop.

Thanks to my incredible staff, we continue to preserve memories for a lifetime—one frame at a time.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Store ownership in a niche market is anything but easy. Competing with big-box stores while trying to educate consumers that not all picture framing is created equal is one of the hardest things a small business owner has to do.

Small business owners wear many hats—we’re not just experts in our craft, but also accountants, human resources, marketers, and problem-solvers. In the world of custom picture framing, brick-and-mortar shops like mine are often the true specialists, offering personalized service and quality that chain stores simply can’t match.

Unfortunately, the picture framing industry, like many others, rises and falls with the economy. When times are tough, clients often delay their projects—or worse, never return to complete them, leaving custom framing jobs in-house for years.

I’ve come close to closing twice: once during the 2008 financial crisis, and again in 2020 at the height of the pandemic. Both times required tough decisions to keep Framin’Works alive. But thanks to the reputation I’d built and the loyalty of my clients, they returned when it mattered most.

Running Framin’Works has never been easy, but it’s a labor of love—and one I’m proud to continue.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Framin’Works specializes in creative solutions for all your custom picture framing needs. Whether it’s a specialty-cut mat, a custom frame finish, or an elaborate shadow box design, we bring your vision to life with precision and artistry.

There never seems to be a project we can’t handle. In fact, many of our loyal clients trust us so much, they simply drop off their artwork and say, “Call us when it’s ready.”

Want to see what we’re capable of? Check out some of our most creative and unique work on Instagram: www.instagram.com/framinworks

What makes you happy?
First and foremost, my family brings me the greatest joy. I’m blessed with an amazing wife and two incredible kids who have their heads on straight. Their love and support ground me every day.

Next is Framin’Works. I genuinely love the creativity and problem-solving that come with running the shop. I’m fortunate to work alongside some of the best creatives in the valley—our success is truly a team effort, and we wouldn’t be where we are without their loyalty and input.

Finally, my hobby: coaching youth and junior triathletes. Since 2013, TriProject has been my passion project. It’s an honor to help guide young athletes, not just in sport, but in life. Triathlon is a demanding discipline, and watching these kids grow into strong, resilient individuals is incredibly rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.framinworks.com and www.bestlilframeshop.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/framinworks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FraminWorks
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/framin-works-phoenix-3