Ben There, Doing That

#17 The Secret Life of an Artist: Paris Hilton, Silicon Valley, & the Power of Creative Reinvention w/ Gene Kiegel

Gene Kiegel: Creative fountainhead. Interdisciplinary artist. UC Berkeley architecture. Central Saint Martins London tutor. Represented by Waterhouse Dodd NY/London In this engaging episode of the 'Ben There Doing That Podcast', host Ben Yurcisin sits down with Gene Kegel in his art studio at Mana Contemporary, Jersey City. Gene recounts his journey from growing up in the USSR, now Ukraine, to becoming an artist in America, facing initial skepticism from his parents. After brief forays into computer science and engineering at UC Berkeley, Gene eventually pursued his passion for art and photography. His transformative experiences in Brazil during Carnival deeply impacted his artistic journey, leading him to experiment with photography and later with beeswax as a medium.  Gene shares insightful stories on breaking into the fashion and celebrity photography scene in LA, including experiences with Paris Hilton and Bai Ling. The conversation delves into his unique art style using beeswax, exploring themes of organic growth and universal beauty, offering listeners a profound look into the life and mind of an artist dedicated to his craft. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:59 Gene's Background and Early Life 02:02 Journey into Creativity and Video Games 03:39 College Life and Career Struggles 08:54 Inventions and Missed Opportunities 20:06 The Brazil Experience 31:54 Return to LA and Pursuing Photography 37:33 Life-Changing Decision 37:56 Starting a Photography Career 38:18 Crazy Advertising Experiences 41:57 First Fashion Week 46:13 Learning the Craft 56:34 Breakthrough with Celebrities 58:31 Innovative Marketing Strategies 01:08:16 Exploring Beeswax Art 01:21:36 Final Thoughts and Advice Join the Mindset Mavericks Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EyDm0CLhvnGERzraGOzISR [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EyDm0CLhvnGERzraGOzISR] Connect with Gene: https://www.instagram.com/genekiegel/ [https://www.instagram.com/genekiegel/] Connect with Ben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/ [https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/]

#16 From Promoting Parties to Promoting Tech and Pitching on Shark Tank w/ Andy Karuza

Andy Karuza is the Marketing Leader atNachoNacho [http://nachonacho.com/] (a B2B SaaS marketplace powered by fintech). Andy is also a startup investor, inventor, and serial entrepreneur whose products have been sold in over 100 countries and featured in more than 100 top global media publications. He currently collaborates with founders to market leading AI and SaaS products in the software industry and works with his product team to conceptualize, design, and launch AI-powered features for the NachoNacho marketplace.  In this exciting episode of the ‘Ben There Doing That’ podcast, host Ben Yurcisin chats with his friend and entrepreneur, Andy Karuza. The conversation navigates from Andy’s initial foray into entrepreneurship through organizing college parties, to his current endeavors in the tech industry specifically with his role at NachoNacho.  Andy shares insights into monetizing social events in college, transitioning into tech, and his investment endeavors including his experience with the space communication company ASTS. He discusses the importance of a good team, timing, traction, and technology in evaluating successful businesses. The episode also highlights Andy’s life as a digital nomad and tips for leading a flexible career. Listeners get a peek into an array of experiences including Andy’s Shark Tank appearance and attending a space rocket launch. Fun and informative, this episode offers valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, investing, and living an adventurous life. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:28 College Party Business Beginnings 01:27 Transition to Professional Events 04:46 Balancing Career and Personal Life 07:03 Entrepreneurial Challenges and Lessons 19:20 Shark Tank Experience 29:32 Living the Hustle in Different Cities 32:23 Cool Experiences and Networking 33:08 Moving to New York: A Personal Journey 33:32 The Beauty of the Pacific Northwest 38:01 Nomadic Lifestyle and Flexibility 40:20 Defining Your Values and Happiness 43:34 Investment Insights and Space Stocks 01:00:13 Event Planning and Networking 01:02:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell Join the Mindset Mavericks Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EyDm0CLhvnGERzraGOzISR [https://chat.whatsapp.com/EyDm0CLhvnGERzraGOzISR] Connect with Andy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykaruza/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykaruza/] Connect with Ben: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/] Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/ [https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/]

#15 From Muay Thai to Breakdancing: Jerrra Blues’ Wild Ride Through Art, Life, and Motherhood

Jerrra, Russian born, based in New York since 2009, abstract tattoo artist, singer (alternative, pop, experimental), immigrant who took your job, wife and mom.  In this engaging podcast episode of 'The Ben, There, Doing That' podcast, host Ben Yurcisin chats with Jerrraa Blues, a tattoo artist, musician, social media influencer, and martial artist. The episode covers Jera's multifaceted career, starting from her experiences with tattooing, tattoo fails, and her journey from Russia to America. They touch upon Jerrra's early days in breakdancing, rapping, and forming bands in New York City, as well as her personal growth through challenging gigs and relationships. Jerrra also shares insights into balancing her creative pursuits with motherhood and striving for personal fulfillment. The conversation is sprinkled with humor and heartfelt moments, emphasizing the importance of facing fears and continually pursuing what makes one happy. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Beginnings 00:16 Tattoo Stories and Podcast Struggles 01:03 Meet Jera Blues: Influencer and Tattoo Artist 01:56 Jera's Creative Journey and Struggles 12:19 Life in New York and Forming a Band 26:54 Riding the Wave of Youth 27:14 Questioning the Big Picture 27:38 Struggles of a Young Musician 28:33 Band Breakups and Personal Insecurities 30:43 Transition to Tattooing 31:38 Boring Jobs and New Beginnings 34:51 Discovering Martial Arts 35:12 Social Media and Modeling 46:34 Balancing Motherhood and Career 51:05 Final Reflections and Advice Join the Mindset Mavericks Community: https://skool.com/mindsetmavericks [https://skool.com/mindsetmavericks] Connect with Jerrra: https://www.instagram.com/jerrradraws/ [https://www.instagram.com/jerrradraws/] Connect with Ben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/ [https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/]

#14 Platinum Pre-Pandemic Partner: Joe Cameron on Social Media Success and Staying Grounded

Joe Cameron: Award-Winning Digital Tech Leader | Senior Marketing Specialist at Brach Eichler | Honored LGBTQ+ Advocate | Twitch.tv Partner with 2.8 million+ Hours Watched | Co-Producer of Jersey City Pride | 17+ Years in Marketing Join host Ben Yurcisin and guest Joe Cameron in a candid podcast episode where they navigate the intricacies of combating stress, the importance of male friendships, and the unforeseen challenges of becoming an online influencer. The discussion revolves around social media's impact, how to strategize effectively for content creation, and the vital importance of empathy in today's digital age. Joe also shares his experiences with Twitch streaming, the economic significance of the LGBTQ+ community, and practical tips for reducing personal stress through effective planning and organization. Packed with personal anecdotes, this episode is a blend of insightful life philosophies and practical advice on navigating modern life. 00:00 Getting Started: The Chaos Before the Calm 00:26 Catching Up: Conversations and Connections 03:19 The Struggles of Personal Branding 04:10 Insights on Social Media and Content Creation 13:57 Empathy and Human Connection in the Digital Age 23:27 Pandemic Challenges and the Rise of Twitch 28:02 Navigating New Features for Better Reach 28:21 Dealing with Toxicity in Online Communities 30:06 The Reality of Being an Influencer 31:16 The Impact of Bots on Social Media 33:22 Managing Stress and Overwhelm 36:07 Effective To-Do Lists and Tools 46:49 Marketing Journey and ROI Obsession 56:51 The Economic Impact of Pride Events Join the Mindset Mavericks Community: https://skool.com/mindsetmavericks [https://skool.com/mindsetmavericks] Connect with Joe: https://www.instagram.com/josephlcameron/ [https://www.instagram.com/josephlcameron/] Connect with Ben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/ [https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/]

#13 Keep Going: Embracing Vulnerability and Mental Health

In this raw and unscripted episode of 'Been There Doing That', host Ben Yurcisin opens up about his recent mental health struggles and the importance of self-care. With no set plan, Ben shares his journey of overthinking and burnout, and how he decided to hit record and speak from the heart. Amidst his discussion, he introduces Tranquila AI, a project aimed at addressing the global mental health crisis through empathic AI. Ben reflects on the significance of inner happiness, the limits of material success, and how crucial it is to engage in creative outlets for mental well-being. He emphasizes the need for self-reflection, the impact of meditation, and not relying solely on external factors for happiness. This episode serves as a reminder that it’s okay to not be okay and highlights the importance of addressing mental health openly. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Struggles 01:04 Current Projects and Tranquila AI 04:11 Mental Health and Personal Reflections 09:34 Creative Outlets and Finding Balance 15:53 Closing Thoughts and Self-Care Join the Mindset Mavericks Community: https://skool.com/mindsetmavericks [https://skool.com/mindsetmavericks] Connect with Ben: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benyurcisin/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/ [https://www.instagram.com/benyurcisin/]