Meet Dan Rutstein from London who moved to LA five years ago to pursue a diplomatic career…”and now the real world”.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA?
When working for the Department for International Trade I was sent here for four years, last year I made the move into the private sector. Because if you are going to get off the Foreign Office merry-go-round there is no better place than here – so much opportunity. When you leave Government, the obvious thing in the UK would be to go and do corporate affairs for a big company. In LA, leading a tech company, sitting on a few boards and becoming a double podcast host seems like an entirely normal next step.
What do you miss most from home?
Northern real ale, proper curry, rugby league, real chips, orange squash and my beloved AFC Wimbledon, whose League One games are never televised.
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since?
On the third day of my diplomatic posting I realized I wanted to stay. The sunny outlook (the people as well as the weather), the vast opportunities, the friendliness, the lack of tall poppy syndrome. None of that has changed. Five years in, I am still as excited about what life here can be as I was when I arrived.
(although I am now much more aware of guns and the cost of healthcare than my first week).
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus London?
It really is the scope of opportunity and how people live their lives. The vast majority of my school and university friends have normal London jobs. Suit on in the dark, don’t see the kids, train up to London and back again, kids already asleep.
Here no-one seems to have a proper job. They are all successful and happy but they do so in a much more balanced way. There are long hours but they are around kids, or golf, or long lunches (or all three).
Do you have a hidden gem in LA that you want to share with us?
I am not sure how hidden it is but the Magic Castle is absolutely my favorite place to go. Having joined a couple of years ago, I have probably nearly once a week since. It is a rare, exclusive, dress-code enforced, non-celebrity pocket of amazement and intrigue.
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
Expect it to be expensive and be ready for that. Come with good ideas, enthusiasm and none of the shyness and modesty that Brits excel at. If you are good, positive and also lucky, then Los Angeles can make your dreams come true.
Lots of our members join our group Brits in LA seeking out words of wisdom – what is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Professionally – be like your American hosts. Be positive, don’t be shy, tell your story, just ask for help.
Personally – use doggie bags. If you are committed to finishing the food on your plate (as I always am), you will quickly and visibly regret it here.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you ? Are you working on anything at the moment?
I run an immersive tech company called Laduma – www.thinkladuma.com. We do amazing things in virtual and augmented reality and immersive projection. I also host two podcasts – @RealityShowPod about immersive technology. And, jointly with former Scottish rugby captain Chris Cusiter, The United States of Dramerica (@USof Dramerica) – a whisky podcast that’s not about whisky. Every fortnight we interview someone over a glass of whisky about their life – Brit favorites Nigel Lythgoe and Ross King have already featured.
