Full name: Chuck Sanchez
Title: Owner/Creative Director
Company: STUN Design and Advertising
Age: 37
Hometown: Baton Rouge
Why do you do what you do?
I get to solve problems, help people, and be creative all at the same time and I’m not limited to any one type of client. Boutiques one day, construction companies the next.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Starting a successful business that I am truly passionate about. And awards and recognition for our design are just the cherry on top.
What was your first job?
Beyond lawnboy, wearing the Pig mascot costume at Piggly Wiggly on Burbank … now closed.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Simply, “Do Good Work,” from Milton Glaser in a New Orleans hotel lobby (designer of I Heart NY logo and iconic rock star of the design world). He said for the short time we are here, do good work.
Who do you most admire in the local business community and why?
My father-in-law, Lane Grigsby. He built a huge company from his garage that still maintains a strong family environment. He also likes to tell me how he feels on any given situation no matter if I want to hear it or not and we all need that, especially as a business owner.
If you could have any job other than your own, what would it be?
Besides a carnie, hmm, that’s tough. Some sort of scientist/engineer (geek points are really adding up) or an automobile designer.
What is the greatest personal or professional obstacle you’ve overcome?
Admitting to myself that being a bartender forever was not going to work in the long run and going back to school for a second degree were the keys to my future success.
If you started over, what would you do differently?
Not a thing. If you can guarantee my wife and two children would be there with me I might have started what I’m doing a little earlier in life. I wouldn’t be anywhere right now without them.
What is your prescription for life?
Don’t look at the top of the hill. Just focus on your next step. You know the top is there and you have what it takes to reach it, but if you look up to soon you might you might lose focus on what’s in front of you, like your breathing and then pass out. (Recently learned from a hunting adventure in Colorado.)
What book are you currently reading?
Wink! The Ninja Who Wanted to be Noticed to my 4 and 7 year old, and Confessions of an Advertising Man to myself.
If you could have dinner with any three living people, who would they be? (Authors? Leaders?)
Chevy Chase, Larry David and my wife. I wouldn’t want her to miss out on the fun.
Who would play you in a movie?
Luke Wilson.
What do you do to unwind?
Hunting and fishing with my family. Skateboarding with my kids. Playing goalie on a men’s soccer team. Watching HBO on Sunday nights with my wife.
What is the most expensive purchase you’ve made for yourself?
A new car (coupe). I had never bought one until this year. I went for the four door, saw the two door, the boys could fit in the back seat and the wife gave me the thumbs up – I owe her big time.
What is your favorite weekend activity?
Anything with my kids.
What’s your theme song?
“Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
What’s your favorite spot in Baton Rouge?
My house.
How do you take your coffee/tea?
Tea: green hot or cold with heavy sugar.
What is your favorite movie? TV show? Band?
Movie: Rushmore; TV show: Curb Your Enthusiasm; band: a recent favorite is Wolfmother, an all-time favorite is the Foo Fighters
What is your favorite gadget?
My new AR-15 machine gun, with heads-up display, laser scope and more!
What is something that you can’t live without?
Oxygen.
If you could change one thing about Baton Rouge, what would it be?
More variety with our parks and recreation areas. Bike paths, fishing ponds;, skateboard and BMX facilities, sculpture gardens, traversable inner city waterways, outdoor amphitheatres etc … to keep and attract young people, we need to give them things to do after they clock out.
What is your greatest hope for Baton Rouge?
That we become a progressive city that provides its residents the things we like about other big cities and to take chances at pursuing innovative ideas.
What is your greatest fear for Baton Rouge?
That as a city we become afraid to take chances and get out of our comfort zone.
