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

Hi Flobo, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I didn’t have much of a thought process behind starting the business at all. I had a decent 9-5 job in hand and was doing my business at first. In November 2017, I was let go from my day job and with that came a difficult decision to make. I could either go look for a new job, or start my own. Knowing how hard it would be to start looking for a new position during the holidays, I instantly decided to invest any cash I had on hand into what eventually became Knew Amsterdam Entertainment. I haven’t looked back since.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In 2017, I started a premium, direct-to-consumer stationery brand called Knew Amsterdam. It started off as a “side-hustle” while I worked in the marketing department of a big non-bank mortgage lender. When I was let go from that job, I started leaning into the stationery business full-time, while taking up work as an independent DJ to pay the bills. Without as much money coming in at first, I made the difficult decision to close down the stationery business the following here, focusing on the live entertainment business that had kept me afloat. Fast forward to today, and Knew Amsterdam Entertainment has productions and projects in the broadcast, podcast, live event, esports, and digital content spaces.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Arrive into town via the Pacific Surfliner
Catch the daytime ballpark tour at Petco Park
Have to take in one of the many rooftop lounges in Gaslamp Quarter for a drink
Visit the La Jolla Cove seals
See a San Diego Gulls Game

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I have to give a shout-out to my parents. Though they were staunchly in the “get a good job” generation, they encouraged me to set out on my own when prospects of a normal 9-5 dried up. The self-employment route isn’t for the faint of heart, and I have respect for those who prefer working for a steady check so they can focus their creative energies elsewhere. I just couldn’t do it. And while I have the confidence to say that now, it was my mom and dad who gave me the tools to, as they say, “bet on myself.”

Website: flobito.com

Instagram: flobito

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ftboyce

Twitter: floboboyce

Facebook: ffloboboyce

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/flobo-boyce-culver-city

Youtube: youtube.com/floboboyce

Other: knewamsterdam.com

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.