Entrepreneur Brian Thompson: From Red Oak Rustic to Hollywood Glam

Artisan Brian Thompson of Red Oak Rustic began his business on a whim in 2017 when he wanted to make a wood-burned American flag for his basement. He always dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur and figured that selling his handcrafted pieces was a good start, so he put his artwork online and he began attracting clients from the get-go.

Producer Suzanne DeLaurentiis saw his work on the popular social media platform Instagram and reached out to him for her annual event, The Suzanne DeLaurentiis Pre-Oscar Gifting Suite, held at the luxurious Intercontinental Hotel where many celebrities and Hollywood luminaries come together to celebrate veterans and the service they provide to our country.

Upon talking to each other, they were surprised to find that they both grew up in Jersey, in cities only twenty minutes apart from each other. Thompson used to serve as a New Jersey State trooper and much of his artwork centers around police officers, firefighters, and the military.

“Although I make regular flags, custom ideas are always the most fun for me,” he says. “If you can think of an idea, I can probably make it come to life. I am not only making a flag but something extremely personal for them.” He had one custom piece in particular that got DeLaurentiis’ attention. It was a large-sized flag that honored all facets of military life including Prisoners of War and those that weren’t fortunate to return from service. DeLaurentiis invited Thompson himself to come out to Los Angeles to take part in the presentation to the veterans.

Thompson had never been to Los Angeles, and initially was not going to make the trip out. “I figured that Los Angeles was going to be similar to New York. New York moves so fast and I’m more laid back in South Jersey,” he says. His brother eventually pushed him to take advantage of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“The event itself was a little overwhelming, to say the least,” Thompson recalls. DeLaurentiis had placed his booth and art in the center of the celebrity gifting suite. “I met a handful of people that I never would have met had I not gone to the event,” he continues, “I met Bai Ling from the Wild Wild West and Justin Bieber’s first dance captain, Marvin Ryan, and a handful of other people.”

At the event, veterans, celebrities, sponsors, and guests were treated to Halo Smile Treatments, walked the red carpet, were interviewed by many media outlets, and enjoyed a three-course Italian-inspired buffet with a multitude of lavish desserts.

Later in the evening, DeLaurentiis presented the veterans with plaques from Red Oak Rustic honoring their service. The showcase piece was then awarded to highly decorated Vietnam veteran, George Lines.

“I didn’t want to believe Suzanne when she told me that I wouldn’t want to leave,” Thompson laughs, “but I really didn’t want to leave.”

As soon as the event was done, he asked DeLaurentiis, “So, am I coming back next year?”

More information on Brian Thompson can be found on his website: redoakrustic.com

-Giovannie Espiritu |Founder, HollywoodActorsWorkshop.com