Meet Ben Kassoy

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

Hi Ben, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process was, “I have no idea what I’m doing!!!” and “Leaving my job without a plan is crazy!!!” and then, “It’s so crazy…it just might work.” I’d been working at a nonprofit in New York for nine years, where I served as the Editor-in-Chief. Then everything fell apart: COVID hit, I moved out of the city, gave up my apartment, got super anxious and depressed, and left my job with no real prospects or plans.

I came to LA and, after several months writing sad poetry, suffering daily acai bowl-induced brain freezes, and listening to Lorde while mournfully wandering the beach, I got clear on what I wanted: to support organizations doing things like fighting for Native representation, accelerating the careers of first-gen college students of color, providing accessible healthcare, and sponsoring refugees — and I didn’t want to be tethered to a screen or to a strict schedule. I wanted to support myself with said work, and I wanted plenty of time for my own writing (so the poems could stay sad but get better!). I always knew I had the writing chops, the network, and the discipline to start my own impact-driven copywriting company, but before 2020, I never had the courage to take the leap. When COVID hit, I took the leap and, whaddaya know, a net appeared.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Even before I started my business, I’ve always kind of led a double life: by day, I’m a copywriter and editor partnering with companies replacing plastic with plants, providing mental health support to marginalized communities, making voting accessible for millions, and beyond. And then by night, I’ve been a columnist, an author and, most recently, the writer/producer/performer of a poetry-and-dance solo show called “The Funny Thing About A Panic Attack.” (I made my international debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer, and the show returns to LA on December 15!)

The impact work is grounding, collaborative, selfless…and pays enough to finance my creative endeavors, which generally ~cost~ me money. (Turns out experimental literary breakdance theater isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme lol.) Doing copywriting, editing, and content strategy focused on supporting others is motivating and energizing; when I finish that work, I have plenty of space for my more personal, more creative projects.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d start by getting on the 405 at like 3:30 pm and just going for a drive. Jkjk.

I know all the ~cool kids~ live on the east side, but I’m a west side girlie— and I’m also thinking in lists today — so here goes:

BRUNCH: AOC in Brentwood. Cinnamon roll to start. Egg sandwich. Fresh-squeezed orange juice. French toast for the table. Food coma. Boom.

HIKE: Mandeville Canyon. It’s not too strenuous, but you’ll get a little schvitzy while enjoying the name-of-my-favorite-Drake-album: the VIEWS. The hike also offers prime dog-watching. Just look at those pups running up the trail!

BEACH: Venice…specifically the rainbow lifeguard tower off Brooks Ave. And psst…and be sure to check out my favorite (not exactly secret but definitely kinda hidden) bookstore, Small World Books, down the boardwalk under the big red awning.

MUSEUM: The Hammer in Westwood Village. Start with free admish ($8 parking in the garage; no biggie), then enjoy the indoor-outdoor experience that always offers provocative art, and stick around for a bite at Lulu, which features the best millet muffin I’ve ever had. Sounds weird, is divine.

DINNER. Jon & Vinny’s. Angelenos may say it’s basic, but try the corn agnolotti then COME AT ME.

SHOWS: For stand-up, Largo. For clown and other funky comedy, The Elysian. For theater: The Geffen. I know LA is a movie town, but you can see movies anywhere, right? The comedy — and yes, the theater! — in LA are amazing (and also don’t require you sit through 35 minutes of previews).

DANCING: The Brig. Wait no, General Lee’s. Wait no, The Short Stop. If you were staying with me — and I hope you do; you’ll LOVE the guest room — we’d hit up all three.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m so grateful to my family for cultivating in me a sense of curiosity, exploration, creativity, and social justice. My older sister, Jess, was a huge inspiration; she played sports so I played sports. She danced in The Nutcracker so I danced in The Nutcracker. She went to this weird academic camp where middle schoolers spend their summers living on campus and taking classes and pretending to be college students, so I…also did that. My parents, Felice and Jerry, never limited me based on gender roles: I’d go to soccer practice or a tennis tournament, then change my clothes in the back of the minivan on my way to a ballet recital or theater camp. My younger sister, Mallory, is a super talented actor, improviser, and comedian; watching her perform really inspired me to get back onstage after years away from it. Thanks to the support, encouragement, and non-judgement of my family, I never had to pigeonhole myself; I always got to be what I wanted to be which, it turns out, is a lot of things: I’m a poet, writer, editor, actor, dancer, butcher, baker, and candlestick maker — though I prefer “chandler,” Chandler Bing (jkjk).

^ Honestly, feel free to cut that last part out. On second thought, KEEP IT.

Website: https://www.benkassoy.com

Instagram: @bkassoy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-kassoy-92730312/

Other: https://benkassoy.substack.com/

Image Credits
Richard Dean, Holly Van Ness, Bil Brown