Meet Ben Guerra | Graphic creator and owner of two e-commerce websites.

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

Hi Ben, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Life work balance over the years has definitely leaned towards more family and personal time. I have learned to moderate my time towards work and realized that if I work without juggling other tasks and distractions, I can accomplish what needs to be done in 4 to 5 hours instead of 8 to 10.

Spending more time with my partner and grandchildren also energizes me and the family over-all moral is boosted. Work is important, but by balancing the family gives me the space to get it done.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The roads I took to get where I am today was very diverse, if I would right a resume today it would look like a very messy tossed salad at best. Starting as a kid selling crystals and socks on Melrose Ave and Venice Beach to the US Marine Corps to the cosmetics industry, its been a heck of a ride. Eventually being in cosmetics for Bloomindales in Los Angeles I found custom packaging which opened the door to creativity and more personal freedom.

I met very talented people in packaging, and I was given the opportunity to travel to cities in the US and other countries I’ve never been to before. I also traveled with Jocelyn who is my wife today. That was a huge plus for me.
Custom packaging gave the confidence to start creating and finally start working for myself.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Los Angeles has changed since I really hung out there and socialized, but if I traveled back in time my itinerary would be some of my old favorites.

I would definitely visit Melrose Ave and stop at Wasteland, Wacko, and Posers shops. Have a drink at The Cat & the Fiddle, enjoy the boardwalk in Venice Beach and the iconic Venice Pavilion. The scene back then you would see people like the Dwayne brothers, Keanu and I even sold a silver jewelry piece to Cher or Jude did, it all blurs now. The night scene I would visit the Rainbow, House of Blues, Red Rock Bar (State Social Bar now) and even visiting Tower Records back then was fun.

My itinerary would be a mixed bag and staying up late, something I can not do today.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolute Shoutout to my dear friend Jude who passed away in 1997. Jude was my inspiration for MelroseSocks.com since we both sold socks for his dad on Melrose Ave when we were in high school. I would also like to give a shoutout to my wife partner Jocelyn for encouraging me to be creative and helping balance my life with two daughters.

With love,

Ben

Website: https://www.melrosesocks.com

Instagram: iluvpatios

Image Credits
All personal pictures