Not all Brits in LA Members live in Los Angeles: in fact a fair number are scattered around the globe. This week’s we feature Mark Skelton, who lives in Ohio.
Since you don’t live in Los Angeles how did you end up joining Brits in LA?
I joined by osmosis many moons ago. Most of the ‘cool’ people I met in LA were always somehow connected to Brits in LA. Whether it was at the breakfast meet-ups at Cecconi’s or an after-party at Soho House, I always met new interesting friends.
Have you ever visited Los Angeles? If so we would love to hear your impression of LA?
I left London in early 2006 and lived in LA until late 2019. I fell in love with LA the moment I landed. As the movie says, “everyone in Hollywood has a dream.“ LA is where those dreams come to life or die. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s people are nomadic, culturally diverse and you never know who you’ll bump into. I’ve stood in line with Al Pacino at Starbucks, chatted with Larry King about life on the sidewalk and shared a fatherly-nod with Mark Wahlberg at Tom’s Toys as our kids ransacked the place.
Do you think you could ever see yourself moving back to LA, if not tell us what keeps you in Ohio?
I work remotely for a Santa Monica based tech company, so I’m in daily contact with my LA friends and business contacts. My wife, two children and I moved to Ohio to be closer to family. I travel to LA for business meetings, so I can always get my fix! As for moving back one day, never say never. So much good in my life comes from LA: I met my wife at a Playboy Golf pool party in the Roosevelt Hotel; both our children were born in Santa Monica and I’ve made life-lasting friends and memories there. LA will always be close to my heart.
Do you have a hidden gem that you want to share with us?
For some soul-quenching Malibu beach vibes, go to a little-known public access gate on Malibu Road. If you want to spot celebrities in their natural habitat, visit Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills.
Why would you recommend other overseas/ out of town readers joining Brits in LA?
LA can be lonely without a network of friends. Brits in LA has an in-built network of friendly, driven movers and shakers always up for a good time. No one knows a city like the locals, so tap into their knowledge and you’ll experience the best LA has to offer when you visit.
We hear you have been working on an exciting project. Care to tell us more about it?
Although our background is in film and TV production, my partners and I have recently entered the tech-startup space. Our new app, JamSpot, was built to connect creatives and business professionals with inspiring and unique meeting spaces on the go. Think of it as your own on-demand ‘private members club’ on your phone. A JamSpot could be a high-end restaurant closed during the day, a museum, a comedy club or a hotel rooftop. Our service generates a potential six-figure revenue stream for our hosts as well as new customers and built-in-advertising. JamSpot’s are designed to give near-zero drag on their host’s existing operations. We’ve partnered with the ‘Buy Local Santa Monica Committee’ to launch our sign-up for hosts campaign. I’d like to extend this sign-up invitation to all Brits in LA business owners who would benefit from our free service. Members can email me with any questions or to arrange a meeting with one of my partners.
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?
These nuggets have served me well. Be active in your LA community. Go out and do stuff. There are no shortcuts to success. Do the work daily. Expect to fail; use those failures and your critics as steps to achieving your goals.
Lastly, how can we find you on the Internet?
mark@jamspot.io or www.jamspot.io or BritsinLA FB group
