A Canvas of Connection

Two artists, one mission: crafting community, healing, and hope through handmade creativity.

It started with a sticker. Not just any sticker, but one carefully cut by hand, smoothed onto a vinyl sheet, and placed with love on a single folding table at a local video game bar. The couple behind the table—Cheyenne Chargulaf and Martin Leon—stood close, hopeful smiles shared between them as strangers passed by. Some stopped to browse, others to chat. What began as a pop-up moment quickly began to feel like something more. A space was opening up, not just for selling art, but for making friends, sharing stories, and creating community.

From Side Hustles to Soul Work

Before Leon and Chargulaf became a shared brand, they were simply Martin and Cheyenne—two artists navigating life in Las Vegas, each building a creative identity in their own way. Cheyenne, raised in a tight-knit community, found solace in art with friends at local parks, organizing informal art swaps that planted the seeds of her entrepreneurial spirit.

“I realized I wanted to build a community through art,” she said. “It wasn’t about money. It was about belonging.”

Martin’s path was just as winding. He hustled through comic cons and toy expos, selling handmade props, 3D prints, and custom decals. When not behind a vendor booth, he captured moments with his camera—weddings, birthdays, and small local gigs.

Both of them were business-minded but heart-led. When friendship turned to partnership and eventually love, the fusion of their visions was inevitable. They moved in together three years ago and officially launched their joint venture: Leon and Chargulaf.

The name blends their last names, but the deeper meaning runs through every product, post, and person they meet. “We decided to work on our business together,” Cheyenne recalled. “We wanted it to reflect who we are—our story and our purpose.”

They started small: a single vendor table on Wednesdays at Player 1, a video game bar that offered space for creatives. But one table became two. Then came comic shops, art cafés, pop-up events, and their own curated “Artist Alley” showcases that invite other creatives to shine.

Navigating Storms, Staying Grounded

Leon and Chargulaf isn’t just a passion project. It’s a lifeline during difficult times.

“There were moments where we were all taking turns losing jobs,” Cheyenne shared. “We just got back to work recently. We're still behind financially, but we're doing our best to move forward.”

Their resilience is part of what makes their story so compelling. Even while holding down jobs—Cheyenne at Mandalay Bay and Martin at Park MGM—they’ve never stopped building, dreaming, and sharing.

Martin credits much of their early momentum to two people who believed in them. “Lisa King, she even sent us a grant opportunity. And Acosta, my boss, they were both so supportive of our mission to help others with arts and mental health.”

Cheyenne’s motivations are also deeply personal. After losing her best friend to mental health struggles, she felt called to turn their business into something more than merchandise. The couple is now working toward nonprofit status to support others facing emotional hardship.

“That friend grew up in the Ronald McDonald Charity House,” Cheyenne said quietly. “We started donating food there. That’s why we care about mental health so much. It’s not just business for us. It’s personal.”

Handmade with Heart

Leon and Chargulaf offers more than custom T-shirts, stickers, and vinyl decals. It offers a sense of connection.

Their product line is colorful, expressive, and always evolving. From personalized credit card stickers to custom logos, 3D-printed items, and small-batch food at events, their table feels like a mini art fair with a soul.

“We’re not just here to sell,” Cheyenne emphasized. “We’re here to make friends, to make memories, and to help others.”

Martin added, “Even if we’re not chosen first, we’re just happy to be part of it. We don’t see other artists as competition. We want to uplift each other.”

That attitude shows. They often refer customers to other creators when they’re not the right fit. And their Artist Alley events give lesser-known vendors a shot at the spotlight. For them, every sale is a chance to build something bigger than business.

Real Voices, Real Vision

“We have to sell ourselves, not just the product,” Cheyenne admitted. “We had to learn that the hard way.”

Martin nodded in agreement. “Networking was the biggest lesson. At first, we didn’t really talk to anyone. But once we started, it changed everything.”

Cheyenne’s voice lit up as she shared their growing calendar of appearances and pop-ups. “We’re at Maximum Comics, we’re still at Player 1, and we’re looking at cafés and more events. We want to go wherever we can bring our items—and our energy.”

They’re also dreaming of more than pop-ups. With plans for a car, new 3D printer, and even a laser engraver, the duo is quietly laying the foundation for broader reach and more ambitious creations.

And through it all, their digital presence is helping stitch the pieces together. Their Linktree (linktr.ee/leonandchargualaf) connects to Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and even their Lyft and Twitter/X. Etsy is coming soon. But real growth, they insist, has come from showing up—physically and emotionally.

“We started small, but it’s grown through presence and consistency,” Cheyenne said. “People remember how you made them feel.”

A Place to Belong

Leon and Chargulaf is more than a business. It is a reminder that community can be crafted by hand. That love can be stitched into every sticker. That healing can start with one small conversation at a folding table.

They’ve partnered with groups like Saint Baldrick’s, Sin City Anime Convention, Vegas Kid Zone, and Connect Comics. Their work isn’t just seen. It’s felt.

“We want people to know that if they’re going through something, they’re not alone,” Martin said. “You can push forward. We’re here, and if we can’t help, we’ll help you find someone who can.”

Keep the Story Going

In a world often rushing past, Leon and Chargulaf invites you to slow down, look closer, and connect—with yourself, with others, and with the handmade magic of community.

You can find them on Wednesdays at Player 1 Video Game Bar, at Maximum Comics on Fort Apache and Tropicana, or online through their Linktree, where you’ll discover their socials, upcoming events, and soon, their online shop.

Follow them, meet them, support them—not because they need to be first, but because they make everyone feel like they matter.

This feature is part of The Business Review Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.