Meet Jack Ambriz | Creative Director & Co-Founder

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

Hi Jack, putting aside the decision to work for yourself, what other decisions were critical to your success?
This is a great question, and I think for me was deciding to suppress my ego. Learning how to do that wasn’t easy, but I very quickly realized that it’s better to go about life with an open ear than with an open mouth. People are much more willing to teach/help someone who is eager to learn than someone who talks about how great they are at something. In any success, you need the help of others, self-made is a myth.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I quit an engineering/ manufacturing job where I was making and designing parts for some of the most luxurious cars in the world because I wasn’t happy. When I made the decision I had been contemplating for some time going back to what I originally wanted to do after high school which was film. I picked up a camera and fell in love with creating imagery that highlighted the beauty of things. I quickly realized that this could be great for brands and their products so I focused on doing just that, and sooner than later my portfolio started to build, which lead me to work with startups, which lead to really learning how to start and manage a business, which lead to me being awarded equity and later on co-founding other projects. The whole process sounds like it was quick and easy but it wasn’t, it’s been over 5 years since that journey started, and had to do what a lot of people are afraid to do which is add value with zero return in the beginning. To jump-start my portfolio I had to offer services for free, I was always a believer in doing it for free rather than putting a low-value price on my work. Once I had a decent sized portfolio then I was able to justly price my work without having to explain why my prices were my prices. Once I started working with startups I learned to not say no to things just because it doesn’t fall under my responsibilities. In the startup world, you have to wear many hats, and if you do these little side quests, eager to learn and with good faith, you learn SOOO much, which in the end makes you a better equipped person to achieve success in your career. Everything you do, must come from passion and goof faith, even if you don’t want to do it. I truly believe thats why I’ve reached milestones in my businesses, because everything is done with passion and good faith.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh man this is tough, given that most of my career has been around luxury but really focused on alcohol, I think the move here would be Napa Valley. I love Napa, I love wine for many reasons, not only is it delicious but there is also such a process that involves so many people to make it all possible. The craftsmanship that goes behind it doesn’t go unnoticed in my eyes. So yea, Napa, I would take them to check out some of my favorite vineyards, meet the winemakers, eat some amazing food, and end the night smoke cigars from my subscription service (Unicorn Hunters Club)

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 find myself to be very stoic, so a lot of the teachings that have built my character that has aided in the little success I have achieved are those of past philosophers. Marcus Aurelius, Plato, Seneca, Musashi, and many more. One of my favorite reads is the 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene. Truly powerful teachings on how to be in control of yourself and your emotions, which in the end is all you need to really make the best of life in any given situation. Aside from the old teachings, I do have a very small circle of friends, which each possesses something that is crucial to my development as a person.

Website: https://unicornhunters.club

Instagram: http://instagram.com/zirbmma