Today we’d like to introduce you to Eduardo Gutierrez.
Eduardo, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was in raised in Perris, CA, the youngest of four children, but I consider San Diego my home. My parents were migrant farmworkers, and at the time, the Inland Empire was predominantly agricultural grows and farmland. My entire life between visiting my family and weekend escapes to San Diego; it was like Disneyland to a kid who grew up in poverty. Mountains, beaches, city and a different lifestyle than the Inland Empire. As a youth, I was often misguided because I had to raise myself. My parents were so busy working trying to make ends meet they had to alternate between one working a day shift and one working a night shift. At the age of 20, after constantly being in trouble, I decided to join the military. While in the United States Air Force, I learned that the world wasn’t the bubble we live in California. I often grew discouraged being a minority in a world with a lack of color. I felt misrepresented and bullied through most of my career for being different.
While in the Air Force, I met a friend who would become one of my closest acquaintances and now one of my best friends and business partner. Gary Bangs (IG: @90theartist) together over the years, we worked on photography, music, art, and have often traveled together. What we didn’t know is our passion for creating would lead to the creation of our company now, Gunstarr. We created a place to showcase our own art, music, poetry, writing, and visuals while also helping friends who felt misrepresented themselves. Our mission has been to not rely on the world to cater to us but rather be the creators who showcase the world we live in. Gunstarr is more than a product or service. Its a vision, a hope, a dream. Founded by men of color who wish to show that beauty in this world exists in all places. Beauty is not defined by race, color, or preconceived social constructs. Art is life. It is not meant to only be observed in quite museums but also be seen in the chaos of the world. Together Gunstarr hopes to share the unrequited love artists bleed on to their canvases they paint.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been easy creating this company, between me and my business partner still holding full-time careers, to having to make phone calls and video sessions at strange hours due to us living in different parts of the world. But we truly believe what drives success is the unseen effort we put into our products. The ability to go above and beyond.
Gunstarr – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At the moment, we are creating our own personal brands while helping a few people. We are taking upon commissioned artwork for people who need logos created. We recently released a lo-fi music project available on all platforms. “Quarantine Dreams” by 90 the Artist is a collection of songs that represent the emotional wave some of us have felt through figuring out our love life while being intensified during the isolation of quarantine. This summer, our apparel lines will be sold. My individual brand focused on craft beer and its lifestyle, along with a Gunstar exclusive line, which is more for everyone. We are not only in the United States but also in different countries where we have spent time and created relationships.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success is a tricky subject. I feel I have found success a long time ago through my career and hard work. Now the focus is creating success for more people around me. I want everyone to have the opportunity to succeed in this world. If that happens to be through financial means, that is amazing, but I would rather it be through quality of life and happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gunstarr.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papi.chulo.of.craft/?hl=en
@Papi.Chulo.Of.Craft, @90theArtist, @Gunstarrllc
Image Credit:
@Gunstarrllc @90theArtist @Papi.Chulo.of.Craft
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