Life & Work with Sergio Guzman of Boyle Heights, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sergio Guzman.

Hi Sergio, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m Sergio Guzman the “Dude From LA” and I host a podcast by the same name. I explore my varied interest by speaking to people passionate in their field. Growing up in East LA/Boyle Heights I met many interesting people and dove deeply into the worlds of graffiti, skateboarding, Hip Hop and later premium cigars and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was anything but smooth. My parents divorced in middle school splitting my living situation from Boyle heights and East LA. Skateboarding was life but with it came drugs and drinking at an early age. I worked at my mother’s food truck “Tacos La Güerita” parked in front of Sam’s Hof Brau near DTLA. I met so many people from many walks of life and learned how to make an impression quickly. After graduating from Garfield High I went to Santa Monica College then later chose UC Merced where I got a bachelors in History. Ultimately this is where my Dude From LA name came from making underground Hip Hop songs with friends while making cigar review videos on YouTube. My biggest challenge came when quitting alcohol focusing on sobriety for the last two years and using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as my outlet for healing. Albeit a difficult sport, I’ve found BJJ the only antiseptic to my once crippling alcohol addiction.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve been a Craft Beer Sales person for the last decade. Originally working for Stone then Los Angeles Ale Works and now at a great distribution company. I’m proud of the fact that I’m a great sales person who always tries to take care of his customers above all else. Even as a sober individual I enjoy the store owners and bar managers I’ve become close to over the years.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Truthfully I see craft brewing here to stay but not in the never ending infinite growth it had 5 years ago. It might continue to be niche and if that’s enough to make a living off of it I’m here for it. Ultimately I love the people in the industry some of which like Sara’s Market in City Terrace, have become real friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.dudefromla.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dudefromlapodcast
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/@jebus272?ra=m