Ben Rednour shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Ben, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I’m proud to be building a reputation as an artist. My day job is diesel technician, but my passion is creation. I draw happiness (pun intended) from making art. It’s nourishment that we all have available to us, and I’ve noticed that so many people don’t exercise that part of themselves. We all have an innate desire to express ourselves, yet we become so engrossed with survival that we forget our imagination. We forget how to play and we’re sick because of it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Benjamin Rednour. I’m forty-three years old. I am originally from Murphysboro Illinois. I’m a combat veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. I’m a father and papa. You can find me on TikTok under the handle OuroboroStyles. I am an artist who does leatherworks, visual art, and Paracord accessories. I started creating about thirteen years ago. I am not limited by the formerly mentioned mediums. I enjoy creating and finding new ways to express myself through art.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The world has told me more than once who I have to be, and the rebel in me has always refused. It has taken me my whole life to figure this much of who I am out. I would encourage anyone reading this to resist being categorized by societal norms. That is the surest way to lose yourself. Create now to lure yourself into the light.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Growth hurts. Tell me this. Do you learn better from someone saying “Don’t touch the hot stove”, or do you learn better from the flame? My whole life has been a hard-headed lesson. I’ve gotten better with age, but in my younger years I had it all figured out. I can say that the things I’ve learned through suffering are much more intimately understood than those learned through success. I believe success is the celebration of things learned.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
I am my authentic self 100% of the time. You can’t advertise for one thing and present something else. That’s false advertising y’all.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Working! How much of our lives are wasted on surviving the “civilized” life. We toil away to make it another day, but when we consider what we truly want, then we draw a blank. Nothing seems to exist outside of utility. That’s why self-expression is crucial to us all. It’s one of the best ways to remain free.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bigrednour
- Other: TikTok: ouroborostyles
Image Credits
Benjamin Rednour
