Meet Josh Blanaru | introducing GUNS R BLAZIN

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

Hi Josh, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Pick a phrase + get it on a shirt! GUNS R BLAZIN launched in 2021 with a clear intention to inspire others while looking good in the process. The idea of putting a custom phrase on a t-shirt once ruled the 80’s shopping mall scene, and GRB upgrades this vibe by pairing an extra sexy t-shirt template with a phrase of your choice from volumes of album art menus. There are over 200 phrase options to choose from, ranging from uplifting to borderline bonkers, so get ready to laugh while being inspired at the same time. Choosing a phrase is a lot of fun and these tees make great gifts! You can also request a personalized phrase by reaching out via email (gunsrblazin@outlook.com) or sending a direct message on Instagram (@gunsrblazin). I recently added some SICK logo tees to the online store, as well as distressed hats and two-sided drawstring bags – they look awesome and get noticed! For a limited time, get 10% off your entire order at GUNSRBLAZIN.com by using discount code “GRB10” at checkout.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have been excited to introduce GUNS R BLAZIN to a larger audience since its launch. I like to work backward – starting with the overall goal, splitting it into smaller milestones, and then breaking it down further into bite-sized tasks that I can actually digest. There were definitely bumps along the way, but I kept my eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel. Since we’re all friends here, I’d love to share some insights and best practices that worked well for me.

First, be honest with yourself about realistic time management. I say “realistic” because you have to build out your tasks with consideration for real-world responsibilities, such as your primary job, family obligations, mental health breaks, daily exercise, social commitments, etc.

Next, be open to change. As an artist, you have to remove ego and stubbornness from your creative process. In doing so, alternate energy can guide you to make better decisions. You have to be okay with things not going as initially planned, so allow yourself to surrender some control if you find yourself feeling stuck. Be prepared to learn as you go – the pros often remind us that success is never a straight line, so being flexible is an asset. You don’t want to force anything that doesn’t align with the overall vision.

Lastly, decide carefully who you let into your inner circle of strategic planning. At times, outside energy can affect or derail your authentic creativity in a harmful way. It can be risky to share what you’re doing with others, especially those who might not see the world the way you do. Personally, I think relying heavily on outside validation and feedback should be kept to a bare minimum – at least until your ideas materialize into concepts you strongly connect with. This allows you to properly discern appropriate and healthy feedback from undermining intentions or subconscious jealousy. Art is subjective, and that means not everyone is going to get it or even like it – and that’s okay. It’s important to reach a place, on your own, where being misunderstood by others is no longer a barrier to productivity.

Most important – set goals and boss up, because it’s got to get done. If you’re a one-person operation at the start, then it’s up to you to make it happen. Turn it on + turn it up!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles, and the surrounding area, has a rich culture of diverse people and offers many different worthwhile experiences. Here’s my personal top 10:

(1) Amoeba Records in Hollywood – check out the extensive music collection and assortment of vintage band tees. (2) E.P. & L.P. in West Hollywood – rooftop drinks with awesome views of the city! (3) Mini golf at Castle Park in Sherman Oaks – they also have an awesome arcade with air hockey. (4) Watch a movie at Hollywood Forever Cemetery – it sounds creepy but it’s an amazing experience! (5) Take a drive up Highway 1 – start in Santa Monica and head north through Malibu, then make a final stop in Zuma Beach to watch the sunset. (6) Enjoy a meal at Moonshadows Malibu around sunset – the food, the view, and the sunset experience are not to be missed! (7) Watch a concert at the Hollywood Bowl – it’s a spacious outdoor venue and a great place to watch your favorite band. (8) State Social House – a fun sports bar on the Sunset Strip. (9) Hermosa Beach Pier – I love the walk from Hermosa Beach Pier up to Manhattan Beach Pier. (10) The Last Bookstore in downtown L.A. – the largest new and used bookstore in California.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shoutout to those who don’t fit neatly into one category or consider themselves to be “different”. I’ve never fit neatly into one category because my “identity” is based on a variety of components, not just my career or other divisive checkboxes. I’d like to think people are more than just who they date, what they believe, or how they present themselves to the world – especially on social media – because that messaging can be subconsciously tainted by things like societal programming and unrealistic expectations. We are all here with our own unique DNA sequence – which means each of us truly has something special to offer the world. It’s important to not let anyone make you feel like you’re not good enough or worthy, because you matter and are worthy of love!

I’m a sensory person who enjoys the experience of taking in my environment while staying as present as possible. Along with this openness, comes a strong curiosity to understand more about other people and the world around me. I try to absorb many types of things, but prefer to let the important ones inspire me, such as: great music, vivid colors, ocean air, magical sunsets, and deep connections with ancient souls.

Being creative allows free-flowing energy to radiate from your deepest soul. It creates a safe atmosphere to express yourself in an authentic way and can lead you on a path to inner healing. We feel different, and are sometimes changed, after experiencing art forms that resonate deeply within us. For this reason, music is a massive source of inspiration and a key element to my creative process. I love the way music feels and how it guides me in different directions while making art. During lockdown, I started cataloguing music from different genres into two distinctive playlist series on Spotify (profile search: Josh Blanaru): “Music That Feels Good” and “Night Vision”. There are multiple editions under each playlist name, and I often use them as a soundtrack for everyday life. I enjoy sharing music with others and bonding over songs that actually make us feel something.

Photography is also a big passion of mine. I am magnetically drawn to abstract silhouettes, complex shadows, and mysterious shapes. I love accidental patterns in everyday life, and enjoy capturing these images in a unique way that tells a story. I like the idea of creating something that hasn’t existed before, or reinterpreting the norm in an interesting way. I’m a better listener than talker, so showing how I perceive my environment comes more natural for me.

Last but not least, creativity has led me right to this special moment where YOU are reading this. Thank you for taking the time to read about GUNS R BLAZIN – I hope you’ll join me on this meaningful journey to live in truth + be free forever!

Website: https://gunsrblazin.myshopify.com/collections/all

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gunsrblazin/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gunsrblazin/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@gunsrblazin