We had the good fortune of connecting with Gio Bertuccelli and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gio, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For me being in business on my own has been a natural evolution from what I experienced growing up. We immigrated to this country to start a new life and a new business. My father my brother and I Started Studio3 in New Orleans back in 1982, I was 18, a company providing creative services for the special event industry through our culture of “Carnevale” (Mardi Gras) in Viareggio Italy. Going forward it was easy to see the advantages of being an intrapreneur as an artist. The culture that permeated in my life showed me clearly the advantages of being and independent artist with an understanding of business. As a creative entity Independence is not only freedom but an essential dynamic in order to provide the best service for a client. Therefore, I believe that great art will always come from an independent minded artist hence having your own business, especially in the beginning of your career, will teach you not only how to think on your own 2 feet but how to think differently and enable one to provide a more unique product or service.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The uniqueness of my upbringing and the exposure to multiple cultures at an early age gave me and advantage and a prospective which was rare especially for someone as young as I was when I started. I think it would be hard to beat the experiences I had in producing the episodic music to the hit show “Friends”. Being involved in such a culture bending phenomenon is hard to describe. Not only from the obvious financial reward but for the exposure and long-term platform it enables. With the success of “Friends” I was able to also do other things such as produce artistic recordings like the one that we did for Joel Virgel “Amor Amer “. It received accolades throughout the industry. The long tail it produced for me, not only in personal satisfaction but, in professional recognition cannot be understated. To get to the point to engage opportunity one has to take risks. Driving cross country through the desert towing a trailer full of equipment, sleeping on the floor for nearly a year next to a refrigerator on a brick floor. Work at a music hub such as Guitar Center Hollywood in the early 90s in order to network in an industry you know nothing about. Make horrible demo after demo and accept criticism and defeat as a necessary tool for learning and success. Be honest, always and most of all be present in the moment and bask in a sense of humble recognition of just how lucky you are to be here now. Be quiet and learn be authentic and lead. The pursuit of happiness is never easy. But the more honest you can be with yourself about all aspects of your life the more absorbable negative experiences will be. As I got older and I could no longer ignore my personal truth of being transgender. Coming out had to be a priority. Nothing has ever been more difficult, scary and challenging then reconstructing oneself from the inside out and assimilating your previous experiences in to the real you. My brand is my life, a multi-cultural explosion of love.

Any great local spots you’d like to shoutout?
As an immigrant child of America I love showing friends and visitors the city I love from the façade of its multi ethnic make up . In a single day I love to travel through Koreatown, Little Tokyo, East LA, Hollywood or Beverly Hills to highlight the magic that Los Angeles brings not only to visitors but the world as whole as a center of modernity and tradition spoken in many languages. Korean BBQ at Genwa , sushi at Little Tokyo Sushi or the famous French Dipped Sandwich at Philippe than a nice Los Angeles Club Crawl as a night cap that might include a sunrise . As a former resident of Park La Brea the Farmers Market on third is a great start. The newly discovered Ghost Pizza on Melrose across form Fairfax Highschool is a must stop. Try the HUMBLE, Mac & cheese, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, crumbled bacon, chives, red chili flake pizza! YUMMM. Some great shopping experience throughout the Melrose strip is always fun. Hopping over a few blocks to Hollywood Blvd Musso Frank is a traditional experience. Anything there is great but my personal favorite is their Bone-In Ribeye Steak. Next a cruise through out Hollywood for shopping and the night life of WeHo ,a dinner at Bossa Nova on Robertson plus some late night dancing at the Abby across the street. A day at Universal theme park is a sure shot as is the subsequent stroll down Universal City Walk. But for dinner downtown’s Border Grill gives a more Cosmopolitan spin to the local Mexican cuisine, while Playa Baja in Montebello is the perfect traditional Mexican eatery, including the best old school jukebox. A Day at Disney Land should start with the best omelets at the Pancake House on Chapman Avenue, later dinner at Rusty Pelican on West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach will let you taste the sea with a grand view and atmosphere. For a nice recovery morning Breakfast at The Filling Station at Orange Circle is the perfect call fallowed by a casual stroll to all the unique antique shops peppered throughout. A day at the beach starts early and ends late. Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica offers a variety of shopping wile Venice Beach and it’s canals rely on a unique experience exposed by a plethora of films and television shows. Everything is good about this. Head over to Abbot Kinney Boulevard and just choose your weapons. A visit to the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign will certainly work up an appetite. Head over to Silverlake to feast on one of the most delicious and healthiest meals you have ever experienced at Botanica. Later experience the unique offerings of Akbar in Los Felis a queer experience unlike another in L.A.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My father Raul Bertuccelli was a force of nature and possessed a visionary spirit that comes from being an immigrant, twice! I worked in his shop literally since I was three years old. Of course, in the beginning it was more like babysitting but I learned how to make things and have that be a way to earn a living. My father was hugely influential in my life. he always told me I should just go for what my dreams declare for me. That he came to America in his late 40s and dint speak English therefore for me to move to Hollywood and peruse a career in music was so not only possible but preferable. Throughout though there have always been Creative Angels that have help me. Whether it was Jim Sonzero, the well-known commercial director in the 90s or Michael Skloff who wrote the theme to “Friends”, both men empowered me with opportunity and actions. Lastly, I want to acknowledge the power of culture. Everywhere I lived I experienced very unique perspectives of the people around me, be it Bogotá, Viareggio, New Orleans or Hollywood.

Website: https://www.giosound.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bertuccelligiorgio/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giorgio-bertuccelli-b9b98ba/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl6HstrDfEkItHUH3XMQDtA?view_as=subscriber

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