When he moved to the West Coast from Louisiana, Brumby Broussard set out to be a film producer. But after working seven years in the movie industry, including a few as an assistant to Julia Roberts, he walked away. “I knew I didn’t want to be in the movie business forever,” he says.

Instead, Broussard, 34, pursued a business career with his girlfriend, Misti See, whom he met on the set of the film “America’s Sweethearts,” and a friend, Charles Taylor. The three moved to San Diego and in December 2003 opened Mixture, an urban home furnishings and design store in Little Italy. Broussard helped form the Kettner Art and Design District in Little Italy, which now includes 23 businesses.

Broussard says a large part of the business is selling on consignment the work of local artists. But Mixture also rents art and furniture to the set of the television show “Veronica Mars,” and celebrities such as James Gandolfini and Anne Hathaway have ordered merchandise.

Another Mixture endeavor that is satisfying to the owners is production of art shows that benefit special causes. The business developed “A Reason to Survive,” also known as ARTS, an event that allows children to create art the business sells in auctions. Mixture also has partnered with The Storefront, an emergency shelter for homeless and runaway youths, selling art work by the students and donating supplies from its Art Cart Program.

Mixture shows bring people to see and purchase local artwork, and Broussard says customers like to support local artists. And that may help to eliminate the quintessential phrase “starving artist,” at least in San Diego.

“There’s an unbelievable amount of talent in San Diego,” says Broussard. “Our main goal is to be unique.”