Connor Treacy, Entrepreneur (Interview 11/100)
In a lot of ways, Connor Treacy is an example of someone whose leadership spills beyond just what is evident in the business world. While Connor has a wide range of experience in his career, he’s shown himself to be a leader in all aspects of his life including the work that he’s doing in partnership with pushing political actions that line up with his values. Sometimes being a leader is an unconscious skill and trait that permeates all the things we do. Connor might be one of the most perfect examples of that. As much as I tried to get him to put himself in a box or nail down his next goals, it all just came back to him embracing the people around him and naturally gathering people together in a positive way. I’m not sure that we give folks like Connor who are natural connectors enough credit. Combine that ability with a life-long learner and a work ethic that seems to span larger than a narrow goal and you get a man who gave a shout out to Warren Buffet for being a seemingly down to earth man giving away all his money he worked so hard to earn.
It wasn’t all roses and butterflies. He’s open about the times that things weren’t going his way or when he felt like he was on the verge of losing it all. It’s those ups and downs that we all can relate to. The reality is that the path to successfully making a positive impact isn’t easy and isn’t linear. There are so many detours, lessons learned, and hiccups that pop up along the way. “I just never know what’s going to happen next, so a lot of the time it just feels like confusing and like sucks…you know what I mean?” He also brings a theme of working really hard on whatever project is in front of him. When he started throwing parties, he was throwing bigger and better parties that more people want to come to. When he started working in music, he helped grow Yungblud into a multiplatinum selling artist.
This conversation also made me think about another through line of all the leaders we’ve heard from this far: the upside of the hustler mentality. The value of saying yes to an opportunity when it comes across your path and to also take a valuable lesson from it to implement when you move on to your next challenge. The value of continuing to find a new place to set your sights on even if you don’t have the most clear picture of what truly lies ahead. Sometimes the road ahead leads to not being able to pay for a pizza. But sometimes the road ahead leads to a Grammy winning music. You just never know until you give it a whole-hearted try. “I get to a certain point where I start thinking ‘what’s next?’...what can I do that’s bigger than this?” That dream big mentality has served him well, even when the dream isn’t clear.
We also talk about how the hustle looks different depending on the day or the year or the project. Sometimes it looks like it’s just going on a really long walk and letting the inspiration come to you. Sometimes it’s tackling the to-do list in front of you. Sometimes it’s going back to school. Sometimes it’s DJ’ing a democratic political event to support the cause. It might not look like your typical grind, but it all adds up and it’s all meaningful.
His advice for giving back to the community? Simple: use your skills and talents. Not as rich as Warren Buffet (yet)? Give your time. Want to be a good supervisor? Treat everybody the same, no matter who they are. Want to get into politics, but don’t know anyone in that space? Start reaching out to folks. Find a gap in your experience? Fill it in. This common sense approach to life reminds me of Whitney Wagner’s “see a need; fill a need” line. t's also the common sense approach to a good leader pushing for a meaningful and positive impact in the world.
Shout outs to:
Mentions | BioSite (with links to listen & more) | Blog & Transcripts
Transcript
AM: Hey folks, thanks so much for coming to the Capitalism for Good Podcast. It's here where we'll focus on exploring how we both make and spend our dollars to benefit the greater good.
Folks, today we have Connor Treacy, entrepreneur, jack of all trades, party planner, nightclub owner, in the music industry, planning political events, current student getting his master's degree, all of the above. And even after speaking with him for an hour today, and then having a little check in with him a few days ago as well, I am still not convinced that he fully sees his value in his advice as kind of a leader in a person throughout the world. If you want to understand what a true connector's value is, I think this is the episode for you. This is the interview to listen to. Connor talks about how he started in his career trajectory just being a teenager throwing parties and not really like knowing where things were going to go or what was going to catch on or kind of what the next thing was. And he's got this view of life that things are just like serendipitously falling into his lap and he's getting these offers.
But there is something very, very cool. And there's something that we could all learn from someone who truly treats and interacts with people of all different kinds, of all different demographics, of absolutely anything, and treats them the same way and gives them the same value and just lets that be the leader of what's going on in his life and the things that he is doing. And I think that that is truly, truly admirable.
And he's got such a like low key vibe when he's talking about the things that he's doing and his management philosophy and his driver. And no matter how many times that I tried to like nail him down and take him to say like, what's next? What's your next goal? Why do you think it is? He is just like, I don't know. How do we know? How do we know what's going on? And it's interesting to watch someone who has been in so many different fields and has an interest in so many different things and seems to truly be living the life of a lifelong learner. And I'll say it again, a connector. His ability to garner momentum and garner crowds and gather people together and really, really find something that is uplifting is very cool. So this is an exciting one. He's got a different take and a different outlook on the world. And I am excited for you all to hear it. And I'm excited for you all to kind of take away whatever you can from this just like laid back but yet hard workers view and his philosophy and everything that he has to share. So enjoy.
Here, we'll just get started and what I would love for you to jump in with is kind of taking us through your career journey, all of the different things that you have done, all of your little ventures, I shouldn't say little ventures, all of your big giant ventures. No, no.
CT: They're all little ventures.
AM: How we got to where you are. I mean, they add up all the little things that we do, even though they start small, like add up to be like big, giant things to get us to where we are.
CT: That's what it feels like. That's what it feels like. I basically am from LA, kind of had like a normal upbringing, played sports, didn't really, I was pretty good at tennis. I was never going to be like number one in the world or something like that, but I definitely was like probably in the top, like people that played like in SoCal and stuff. So I had that going on, but as far as like work related dreams or like things that I thought I was going to do later on in life, like I didn't really know what my thing was, if that makes sense. And so I think when I was like in high school towards the end of it, maybe like senior year or something, I had the idea to like just start throwing parties.
And I think like the first one I did maybe was like on my 19th birthday, and it was like super like small and janky. It was literally like in a backyard, like house party type thing, you know? So that's like how it all started. And I would say that I just kept trying to find like places to do the next event at. And then, you know, by like March or April, that's like when the big one happened where I was on the news and it was like the Project X thing. So, I mean, I would say it like happened pretty quick, I guess.
But it definitely was like something that I like thought about all the time and was like trying to like build on it, but I didn't really have like a plan. And then I just, you know, from there, just kept trying to like add things to it, you know? So I would have done that party like, you know, November of 2011. And then by like March or April 2012, Project X happened. And then by that summer, I already was like going on Google and like booking YG and like renting out like an 18 plus venue and like selling tickets on Facebook. So there was like always a clear progression, but I guess like, I didn't like think that like, I was going to be doing all of that necessarily. Does that make sense? I don't really have like a plan, I guess. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
And so that's kind of how it started. And so then it kind of became a thing where I was doing like 500 or a thousand capacity, like events. I was doing like downtown LA warehouse parties. I was doing like 18 plus Hollywood nightclubs. I also was doing like house parties. And then I would say like right when I turned 21, so like November, I got invited to like a big 21 plus nightclub and then started getting hired by all the big 21 plus nightclubs. And then it kind of like morphed into, you know, me bringing out a lot of the like young celebrities. And some of them were older celebrities too, but I was kind of like the young guy that was like doing it, you know, I became like known for it kind of. So, you know, more for me doing like these mass things to more like curated, like bringing key people and stuff like that. And so did that for a few years when I was like 24, like 2017, I got hired at Universal Music Group as an A&R and a manager. And they just reached out to me. I didn't even, I wasn't even trying to work in music.
So obviously, I think like if you're looking at the trajectory of all this, like it's, you know, it feels like there's momentum the whole time, but there was a lot of times where like, I almost like lost it all or I thought it was done or this, and it felt like things weren't moving. So I guess like when you take a step back from it all, it looks like that. But during that whole time, like I just never know what's gonna happen next. So a lot of times it just feels like confusing and like sucks, like, you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
So I started working at Universal Music Group. I think I would work there for about two years. Started working with this rock act named Yungblud. He had like 2,000 followers and like one song out. And we built him up to being, you know, like a multi-platinum selling artists. You know, I did records with him and Halsey, Travis Barker, Machine Gun Kelly. And then I also was managing a producer, got him placed on Dua Lipa's opening single on her album, Future Nostalgia and that won a Grammy.
And so kind of like, you know, that was like my two years there. Decided to leave just cause I felt like, I kind of always been like entrepreneurial and that was like my first taste of being like in a corporate setting. And so I thought maybe it was just be easier to like do my own thing. And so I left and then like literally three or four months after I left COVID hit. So like the whole industry shut down, which was nuts, which was like a weird. I don't know if being like pessimistic is like the right word, but I always like I'm like super conscious of like, okay, like I wasn't an adult really for like the 2008 financial crisis.
I was like, I wonder what it's like to like when I'm going to have to like be an adult going through like an economic crash. And like that was like the first one that I went through. And yeah, it was just it was just nuts for me personally because it was like everything entertainment was just shut down like instantly like in one day.
AM: Yeah. So you weren't doing any events and you weren't doing it. It was.
CT: Yeah, yeah. There was like no touring. There was no nightclubs. Like I even was like consulting for this app where it was like about meeting up in real life like that's not you know what I mean? So like everything got thrown off. So but there was like good things that came out of it. So like, you know, that probably happened like in 2020. So by the time like August of 2021 came around, I opened a nightclub with like four other partners. And so I guess COVID was helpful because in that sense, because I think we got like a good lease deal and then a lot of nightclubs that were opening were open and were paying rent and stuff, they were like hurting. So we were kind of like the fresh thing on the block when COVID stopped. So there was pros and cons to both, to like that whole situation, but that's kind of what ended up happening. So we opened a nightclub called Off Sunset. I did that for about three years. That was a big hit, especially like the first two years, like a bunch of like huge like celebrities that probably, anyone can think of probably went and made good money, did some really cool parties. And then yeah, that stopped about like a year ago. And then now I'm kind of just producing music. I manage a few people. I do the political events. And then I have about a year left of my MBA. And so that's where we're at now with everything.
AM: Will you talk a little bit about the political events that you've been doing?
CT: Yeah, so I guess back to like my other point too, I kind of always have these feelings of like, I'll get to like certain points, get to a certain point in nightlife or a certain point in music. And then I start thinking like, what's next? Or what can I do that's like bigger than this? And I'm like super grateful for like everything that I've been able to do and whoever I've been able to work with in both the music and the hospitality space. But I kind of got to a point where I was like, I feel like I want to do something on top of this. That's like even more like meaningful.
And so I had the idea of somehow getting involved in politics, but I didn't I just didn't know anyone in it. You know what I mean? And so it kind of was like hard for me to break into it, I guess, in a sense. And I kind of just started reaching out to some folks. I interned for like the mayor of like this city near me, like maybe like two years ago. And then it really started to move like this year around like January, I started reaching out to a few different like like Democratic groups, and they started responding to me. And really where I feel like my niche or where I could be of service to them was that I could help with doing their events. So I'm now the chair of events for this group called Stonewall Democratic Group. And so I did one fundraiser for them, I think April, the months now this year.
AM: Time doesn't make sense to me either.
CT: Yeah, yeah. I'm 32 now, so it's like at the time like I'm like, I can't keep up with it, but it was around then. I did the first one with them. There's this other group called Working Families Party that I reached out to. And so I work with them on events too. And that's who I did the after party for for the California Democratic Convention. And so mainly working with them too, I have the 50th Anniversary Stonewall event coming up in November. That'll be big. Like a lot of people are going to go to that. And then I think with Working Families Party, I'll do a couple more events. And then I think also like the election cycle is starting next year. So, you know, we'll probably do events for candidates and people that are running again and all that good stuff. So that's kind of where I'm at right now and how I got there.
AM: That's such a journey. And I know that you describe it as like, you know, not really getting into something and not really knowing where it'll take you. And I'm sure like when you were interning for the mayor, you had the same idea of like, well, I don't know what this will turn out, but it is meaningful. But like from the outside, and you mentioned this, there does seem to be momentum and like a through line that goes through everything that you've done. Do you have any sense of like why? Well, I'm just going to say it. Why are you so good at getting a following? Like if you're a teenager and you're planning, even if it's just a party or an event, you got to have people to come to that. Like people are going to want to be a part of it. And same thing when you get into the music business or you're getting these offers that are dropping in your lap. Do you have any sense of what that is that is like attracting people to the things that you're doing?
CT: I think for one, like I try to be cool with everybody. So I hope there's like, I hope there's not that many people that hate me. Like, you know what I mean? Because I try to be on the vibe where, you know, I talk to everyone the same. You know what I mean? Like it could, I could be talking to someone on the street or I could be talking to a huge celeb. Like I typically keep it like a hundred. Like I talk the same way with everyone, you know? And I try to just be like a nice person first and foremost. Cause especially like in hospitality, like you have to, you know, it's what I learned for sure. But also like I, I just feel like the way that I came up, like it was just so step by step that in some sense, like I'm really like just like a super normal, like LA per like, you get what I'm saying? Like I didn't like grow up around any of it.
And for me, like there was just so many like highs and lows through it all that like it, I still feel like the same person I was when I started, if that makes sense, you know what I mean? So it's, and then when it, at least for me, like it didn't happen like overnight. It was a lot of like steps. So it's, yeah, I don't know. I just feel very like the same in my head compared to before. But I've also, I guess, I also know what it's like to be hot and what it's like to be not hot. And so I feel like when you are hot or like when things are going, like you need to even be extra nice, because at least for me, like it does seem like there's always been momentum, but like I quit Universal and then COVID hit. So I went from like, you know, a year prior having like a Platinum record or whatever with Yungblud and Halsey and whoever, all of a sudden like I have no work and nothing's happening. And like, I don't know if I'm going to bounce back. And then Off Sunset ends up coming like a year later, right? So that's what I mean where it's like, I don't, I never know. I never know if I'm going to bounce back or not. Like it's, like, you know what I mean? Like that's kind of like how I view it. So it's like, it's hard, like when you're navigating through it, like in the thick of it, you know?
AM: Yeah. How have you done that? I mean, I have made decisions like that multiple times or taken big leaps or been like, okay, this isn't right, so I'm going to take what is perceived to be this big giant risk, even though I've probably thought about it for a year before I've done it. But like, it is scary when you're in that, like in between, you don't know what's like, are you planning? Are you thinking? Are you still reaching out? Are you like recuperating? Like, what's your strategy when you're in the middle there?
CT: Yeah. Well, okay, like for one, you know, I'm like super focused and it's, I'm really like a workaholic, like it's like really all I think about. It's like what I love to do. And like, I've been sober since I was 19. So it's kind of like my became like my new addiction in a sense. So like, I don't, there's obviously like luck with it, but you know, like, I definitely feel like tapped in. You know what I mean? Like, I feel like very hyper aware of like the decisions I make and I understand the risk. And sometimes it doesn't work out.
AM: Right.
CT: You know, like there, like I left Universal because I wanted to be a music manager and I had a few different things I was working with that I thought were going to blow up. And then it ended up being a nightclub that was my next hit. Right. So, you know, it's sometimes like what I envision happening doesn't, but then like something else kind of carries me. But I would say that like, it's hard. I mean, it's not, it's definitely not for everyone. There's like zero structure with what I did. It feels like a bit easier now, because I know the history and like I'm aware like, okay, like I'm probably gonna be hot for like two years or and then like I'm gonna lose it and then it'll cool off for a year and then something else. Like that's kind of like my trajectory or my history. So I'm at least like aware of it. But yeah, like to people I date or family members or whoever, like they're like, when it's not working, they're like, dude, like your trip, like you know what I'm saying? So yeah, yeah, yeah. And that still happens to me, by the way. So, you know, so.
AM: I relate wholeheartedly to that.
CT: Yeah, right. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I think like, you know, if that's like the path you want to pursue, then that's at least what it feels like for me. So…
AM: Yeah. So are you just like following your gut and following your heart or?
CT: Always. Always. Like I joke about this with my friend from like when we first started throwing parties in college, like it never even crossed my mind to do a summer internship or to like send out a job application. Like I was like, I'm going to throw parties. Like that's what I'm doing.
AM: Yeah. Yeah.
CT: You know, I always I always had a hustle, though, going on to like pay for it, though. Right. So originally I was teaching tennis lessons and I was using the tennis lesson money to like pay for the parties. And then I was using the party money to like pay for the music stuff. Or like you know what I'm saying? So it was always like one thing for the next. So I wasn't just like blindly like running into things with like no cash flow.
AM: Right.
CT: Yeah. Yeah.
AM: Let's talk about that from especially from an entrepreneurial, from like a business model perspective. So many of the leaders that I have talked to are we're talking about like how they're building community give back into their business model, or they are finding ways to volunteer, but like on the clock as an organization. But it sounds like what you're doing is almost like leveraging the profits that you're making, the things that you're doing to pursue these other things, like to put on these political events. Am I understanding that, that that's kind of your thought process there?
CT: Yeah, I definitely like, you know, am more of on the vibe at least right now, where I'm more giving my like time or like expertise to organizations for free, rather than like just straight up cash. There are, you know, I have made some donations to some groups on like ActBlue or something, or I just sent something to a buddy that's like running for lieutenant governor or something yesterday. So like I'll do, but like it's like small things, like I'm not like sending people, you know, thousands of dollars or something like that. But an example of how like I am saving like groups money is, you know, like the after event for the Democratic Convention, you know, they didn't end up having to put down any money for the venue. I ended up getting them the venue and then the club just takes the bar. Like you get what I'm saying? So I like know how to talk to these clubs and stuff like that because I had a club. And you know, so indirectly I saved them like a good amount of money, you know? And then I obviously-
AM: It's future there, ROI. If you're not spending money on that stuff, then you get more money to actually like do the thing that you set out to do.
CT: Yeah, so, you know, and then I DJed it for free. Like I didn't ask them for money. So like the group or whatever. So basically like, yeah, I'm more like saving them money with how I know how to navigate it rather than me like personally like writing checks and stuff like that. But I mean, I'm not like against it. I just, I don't have like millions of dollars to...
AM: Right, we're not all Bill Gates. Yeah, yeah, yeah. What advice in thinking about that in particular? Again, I sit kind of right in the middle of for-profits and nonprofits and like linking those up as partners together often. And I’d I think that that is a huge thing that often is a blind spot for both sides of the house. Like you've got a for-profit business, an event space, a club, a whatever, that's like, oh, I'm being hit up for donations all of the time. Don't you know that I'm a business? I'm trying to make money. I've got to pay people's paychecks and all these things. And you've got this charity that's like, well, come on, all we're asking is for this. We're just asking for one night. We're just asking for one thing. Like, but but when you kind of learn about each other and you can speak each other's language and be like, all right, I know that you as a club owner need to get people in the door. You need word of mouth. You need advertising. You need people to spend money. And then this charity needs donations and advocacy and word of mouth. And like, how do we bring those things together? Like, how what advice do you have for people as they're trying to bridge, bridge those kinds of gaps?
CT: Yeah, I mean, I guess the only like the only advice I can give is, you know, try to offer help with where your expertise is. So, like, I just understand the nightlife world. And I know from having a nightclub, if I could get a guaranteed 500 person group to come to the club and spend at the bar, like, I would probably let them do it without asking for a fee because the bar will still do well, right? But if a group doesn't know that, or like, hey, can we do it? Then, yeah, you would try and hit them with like an event minimum, or like, you know what I mean? So that's just like, that's what I know from doing the nightclub stuff. But I guess to someone else, it's like, if you are knowledgeable about another side, then lend that, and then you can save that money, you know?
AM: Yeah. When you are, again, and talking about your skills and the things that you've learned, and how you just apply that to the next thing, or apply your funding to the next thing, or whatever that is, you're taking the lessons that you've learned from your previous thing and moving it into the next one. You talked about how you're going back to school right now. I know that this is contradictory to what you said earlier, and that you never really know what the future holds, but what's kind of rolling around in your head with where you're wanting to go next?
CT: Yeah, the school thing was, I was just thinking, it was around the time when COVID hit, I had these thoughts before, I don't know if insecure is the right word, it was just more, I just was aware that my value before was who I knew, and I just was like, it's not sustainable, it's really hard doing that, you know what I mean? Because people get in relationships, they get married, you know what I mean? So you constantly have to keep getting new relationships and stuff like that. And I just felt like that was the one thing I didn't have was the school co-sign. And so I felt like if I did that and learned business or blah or whatever, and then I would have that as well to fall back on where I'm Connor, not the guy who is with so-and-so or knows so-and-so.
AM: Yeah. Yeah.
CT: That's why I did it.
AM: Yeah. Another thing that I've been thinking about as you've been talking is, we talked about how you're in California, I'm located in the Midwest or the South depending on what day you talk to me on. But one thing that has struck me is the lens through which it seems like you look at the world, that even when you're describing your personality or how you gather groups of people together, it's very much like, well, I just treat everyone the same way. Which sounds like such a basic, like, no doubt, that's just the way that you treat people. But, you know, I'm in the South, I'm in Kentucky right now. That's not always the way everyone looks at the world. There's a little bit of a different competition, doggy dog world, in that there is a hierarchy, there is these, like, social change, like, there are different complexities. Do you think that growing up, like, on the West Coast versus Middle America or somewhere else, like, do you think that culture is what led you to be so passionate about, like, democratic and progressive values and pushing those things forward? Or was it your upbringing? Or do you have any, like, idea of what that might have been?
CT: I mean, I guess maybe, like, it could have. Just, like, from one sense, like, you know, my parents got divorced when I was, like, seven. And so, you know, that was, like, a pretty big event because then, obviously, their stuff split up and then it kind of caused me to move to, like, I was, like, a block away from Venice High School and, like, it wasn't, like, the best place, probably. Like, in the 90s, you know, and so, I, you know, grew up around, like, a lot of different kinds of people. You know what I mean? And so, and, and by the way, like, there was, like, really nice people that I grew up next to. I wouldn't say it was, like, the worst place in LA to ever live, but it definitely was, like, a lot different than where I was originally, like, born. You know, I would, I would say that, like, my, my, at least, like, upbringing was more the vibe where, like, I probably was born, like, a upper middle class type kid, and then when my parents got divorced, I, I became more of, like, a lower middle class, and then it took my dad, like, a number of years to, like, bounce back type vibe.
AM: Yeah.
CT: Does that make sense?
AM: Yeah.
CT: So, so it was more like, I went from, like, living in, like, a big house to all of a sudden, I'm, like, in a two bedroom where my dad's in one and I'm sharing one with my sister. And, like, I, it's like things that you're not really, like, registering, like, I didn't, like, I didn't, like, think of it at the time as, like, a downgrade or something. I was like, oh, like, my parents are just divorced, right? But then, you know, now I'm, like, living in an area where I'm around people from, like, all ethnicities. I'm around people that are, like, much older than me. I'm not around my dad all the time. And my mom is, like, a bit more, like, loose with, like, you know what I mean? So just my, like, world kind of changed. Yeah. And, you know, I think that it was a good thing. I think that, like, it made me grow up faster. But, you know, there was just, like, you know, a huge protest in downtown LA., like, the No Kings protest. You know, they're trying to come after, like, undocumented immigrants and all that kind of stuff. And, like, one of my best friends down the street from me, like, his parents, I'm pretty sure, you know what I mean?
So, like, I grew up around that. Like, him, there was another guy that was, like, a foster kid, like, there were, like, I would just, like, that's, like, what I grew up around. And so there was other things, too, like, on my mom's side of the family, like, I think my grandma's brother, like, he married, like, a woman, I think that was, like, Japanese. So I grew up, like, where, like, so I just, like, was never, like, just around only white people. Like, definitely, it's like, my dad is from Ireland. He immigrated here, like, when he was, like, 23. So, like, that side of the family is definitely all white. But, like, I definitely never was, like, in a vibe where I was only around, like, white people or something like that. And I was, like, always, I was friends with a bunch of people. So for me, like, so I guess maybe that's, like, why in one sense. But I don't know. I mean, it's hard to say. I mean, my mom's whole side of the family is from Florida. And so I definitely that's probably, like, more southern vibes. But I don't know. I just feel like I had, like, a pretty, like, well rounded upbringing where I feel like I was kind of, like, in a melting pot of different people and vibes and stuff like that.
AM: Yeah, totally. I mean, it makes perfect sense that you're just like, I don't know, I just, like, never had to, never had to think about anyone else as anything different. Yeah, it was just.
CT: Yeah, that was just more of the vibe. Like, I just kind of was like, yeah, like, I have some friends that, like, live down the street that are like this. I have some friends like this. And, like, it was never, like, a weird thing. You know what I mean?
AM: Yeah, totally. And kind of thinking about, like, your philosophy and your lens of the way that you look at the world, you've had, you've, on nightclubs, you're in the music industry, like, you have held all of these different types of connector and leadership roles. Like, can you talk a little bit about, like, what's your philosophy in your viewpoint when you're looking internally at an internal structure with, like, employees and hierarchy and all of those kinds of things?
Like, what's your leadership mentality? Like, what are your kind of, like, rules of the business there?
CT: I also there try, I talk to everyone, like, like an equal, you know what I mean? Like, I don't, I feel, I feel weird, like, projecting, like, I'm like, you get what I'm saying? Because, like, I know what it's like being in the other position. And I felt, I felt like a lot of people wronged me when I was coming up, you know what I mean? Where, like, I was, like, I was, like, taken advantage of when I was trying to cut, you know what I'm saying? Where, like, I was getting underpaid or people didn't pay me or this because, like, they thought they could get away with it you know? So, when I talk to people now, like, I tried it, like, even, you know, like, like, even when we, when I was doing Off Sunset and there was, like, new promoters that were there, like, I always try to, like, be super nice and, like, supportive and what, because I remember when I was starting, like, everyone was, like, not everyone, but, like, a lot of them were, like, just dicks and, like, we're, like, oh, new guy, like, screw you. Like, you know what I'm saying? And it's like, I don't know why, like, it has to be like that.
AM: Right. It's something that I think about all the time, you know, in my journey, I feel like so many of the jobs that I've worked, especially as I've gotten older, I, you know, started out really liking the company, really loving the vision, like, all right, I'm going to make a difference here. I see where I fit in, love the leadership, love who my supervisors are, love the, like, I'm in lockstep with the CEO. And then, like, a leadership change happens or a big event, like, something happens and it switches and we're like, I'm no longer on the same page as you here, like, when did this happen? And it's interesting the way that that shift can happen so quickly. And, like, my idea has always been, no wonder if you're similar to this, of, like, I'm a little bit of a lifelong learner when you're talking about, like, going after all of these different mentors and, like, holding multiple jobs at one time, and, like, a little bit reflective of the way my life has been as well.
But then when I'm in roles, even if it's been things that I've built myself, like, my own company, I'm constantly working to replace myself. I'm, like, I'm here for the challenge. I'm here to learn. I'm here for the skills. I'm here to get it off the ground and to get it to the next level. And then I want to train the next person to do the job, and I want to move on to the next type of thing. And, like, I relate in that I also am, like... And I also want the other person to have a better foundation and to have a better situation than mine, because I work to make it easier. And I wonder if that is at all relatable to you there.
CT: Yeah, no, I feel like you brought up a good point, because and I didn't really think of it like this, but, like, I guess, like, I'm similar to you, where, like, what I'm doing now is not the end goal. So it's almost like I'm not even, like, worried about being replaced in it. Like, it almost would be like, I would love to show you everything that I'm doing, if, like, this is what you want to do. And if you want, you get what I'm saying, where maybe when I was, like, coming up, all these people were, like, super weird and, like, gatekeep you with me, because, like, that's what their position was, and they weren't intending on moving up. And so maybe they were, like, threatened by it or something. But, like, that wasn't even what my final destination was going to be anyway.
So I personally was like, you didn't need to, like, be that difficult or weird with me, because even even if, like, I'm trying to do something else, like, we could have done something together in the future. But now, like, I feel weird because when I was like 22 or 23, you, like, underpaid me or didn't pay me or tried to, like, shaft me or like, you know what I'm saying? So, yeah.
AM: Yeah. It's like you're trying to, like, correct the things and be like, it doesn't need to be like this for the next person.
CT: Yeah. Like, like, I told there's no way anyone that, like, worked under me or for me or whatever at Off Sunset. I was like, oh, he's a dick. Like, like, I was, like, totally, like, you know what I'm saying? It's like, why?
AM: Yeah.
CT: It's hard. It's hard, especially at that time. Like, I know what it's like, you know, where it's like, there was, there was, like, a point, like, I think, like, in 2015, like, I dropped out of school originally, like, my senior year because the nightlife stuff was taking off. But I had put all this money into this, like, house I was renting with, like, this other guy because it was going to help with the nightlife stuff. And I literally one night didn't even have enough money to, like, buy a pizza and I was, like, tripping out, you know what I mean? So you don't know what some of these, like, newer people are, like, going through where they're, like, literally on the verge of, like, not, you know?
AM: Yeah. Yeah. Can you talk a little bit about that, like, those lessons that we learn, especially when we're younger, like, this is capitalism for good. So we do talk about money and, like, what are the things that you've learned to create stability for you to be able to, like, keep jumping from thing to thing and chase these different things? Like, what advice do you have for people, especially in such a chaotic world, to, like, create that stable foundation so that you can, one, chase the things that you want to chase next, but, two, be able to, like, give back, like, the stuff that you're doing with your political events and DJing for free and all of those kinds of things.
CT: Yeah. Well, I guess for the stability part, you know, I recommend, like, if you're able to set setting aside or saving like 20 to 25 percent of the money that you have coming in, you know, because I think, especially like when you're an entrepreneur, you're like building your business, like if you're bootstrapping it and you're paying for everything yourself, right? It's like the more money you put in, the faster it grows. But then also it's like what happens if you don't get paid on time and then all of a sudden, you don't have enough money for like food. You know what I mean? Like these were things I was going through like in the beginning. And when the pizza incident happened, I would say like a year after that, that's when I kind of was like, okay, like I'm gonna start saving like 20%, everything I like bring in at least so that I have like money in the reserve, you know? But things stabilized a bit, cause by then like it was starting to get a bit more established and stuff. But I guess that's like my advice.
AM: I used to have this philosophy when I was like, when I was first starting my business and I was like, I'm investing in myself here instead of investing in all of these other people's like dreams and goals. I'm investing in myself here.
CT: Yeah, you have to.
AM: Yeah. Okay, so I know that you said that you don't really know where you're going next fully, but you're chasing these things. But like, can you describe what that end goal is? Like what does your North Star look like in maybe vague terms? It seems like maybe something in the political world or something that makes you feel good about what's going on, or what, yeah, what are you thinking?
CT: Yeah, I'm in an interesting crossroads right now. I would say there's like three pillars of what I'm doing right now. Like there's the hospitality pillar, there's the music pillar, and then the political pillar.
It's just so hard, especially like working in the entertainment industry. Like you just don't really know what opportunity comes up. I did recently get hit up about a hospitality project. So like I could be in a position where like a hotel group comes to LA, or a big nightlife group comes to LA, and they want to make me the face, and I'm the main person that's like organizing everything, and I could maybe focus more on that. Maybe the political events take off, and maybe if like AOC announces she runs next year, or some other big political figure, maybe they bring me on to help with organizing the events, or DJ it, maybe like the music production stuff that I'm doing right now, maybe one of the songs does well, then I'll put more money into working with bigger artists and bigger producers. So that's kind of like where it's at. Kind of just trying to focus on like getting as far as I can before I graduate the MBA program in a year, because once I'm done with that, then I really got to focus on like making as much money as possible. Whereas right now I can focus a bit more on like speculative, like networking, building out, you get what I'm saying?
AM: Yeah. Yeah. I think that also sounds like another way, I'm putting words in your mouth to tell me if I'm wrong, but that sounds like another way of creating that stability of like, it's not just financial stability, it's also creating like a structure within your own life of like, okay, so you're working really hard at your education piece, so you can have this degree, so you can check that box, but you're also like, you've got all of these other irons in the fire, but it also takes the networking, but you also need to have these other skills, you need to keep those things sharp. All of those things are related to creating a structure that will help you in the future.
CT: They all help me by the way, right? Because the political contacts I make and the music contacts, that could all lean into if I did a hospitality project, the hospitality stuff works, because then I could invite them to come to the political events. It all works hand in hand. But yeah, I'm more just on a vibrate now. I'm trying to just build out my moat.
AM: Yeah?
CT: Yeah, I'm just trying to build out as much as I can, because once I'm done with the school part, I really got to focus on making money, because college loans are scary.
AM: Yeah, because college is expensive.
CT: Yeah, USC is not cheap.
AM: Yeah, but they do great things. I mean, you're in a great university system.
CT: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
AM: So I come from a research background, and the things that are coming out of all of the USC schools are huge.
CT: Yeah, yeah, yeah, the business school is good. Like, I definitely feel like it was worth the time and money and all that. But, you know, I'm sure you're in the same boat. There's certain times where you can focus more on just building out your brand and speculative stuff. And then there's other times where you've got to monetize it. So next year will be monetized. This year, it's just how far can I get with everything as fast as possible.
AM: And then it's helpful to I don't know if you relate to this as well. But for me, especially being an entrepreneur, you and I just heard this the other day from another leader that I was interviewing. Lindsay of Plaine Products was talking about, when you're an entrepreneur and you're a business owner, you set your own to-do list every day. You are your own motivation. And I'll tell you that yesterday was a day where I somehow had zero meetings on the calendar. I was ahead of most of the things that I had to do. My actual deadline work was really minimal. But you know what I really needed to do? I really needed to work out. So I worked out for two and a half hours and got that in as much as I could. I really needed to clean. So I did a bunch of stuff at home and I really needed to like tackle a bunch of laundry and then needed to like rest my brain. So then I read for a while. And it's like that that flexibility works really well for me. But it's also like that's not being lazy. That's investing in the other parts of your life. So you're not worried and you're not stressed about it later. And like it does all work together, although from someone who's used to just like having a typical nine to five job, you do the same thing every day. They're probably like, what are you doing? You're such a bum that you didn't do anything today. And you're like, well, you didn't see the 16 hour days that I've put in for the last two weeks though.
CT: Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, no, that's how my life is too. There's like certain days where I have a bunch of stuff going on. And then I've been more on your vibe too. Like I used to like always watch these like podcasts where people were like, oh, I get like four or five hours of sleep and I work out. Like I feel like, you know, it's like, it's a marathon, not a sprint. You know what I mean? Like I definitely try to be on your vibe where I try to take time for myself. I even play video games. Sometimes I play Fortnite, like just helps me relax. So it's just as important because otherwise, like you're just kind of working all the time. And it's like there's always like more stuff to do. And it's like, yeah, you don't burn out either.
AM: Yeah. I and I hate those burnout points in my life. And I often, at my last burnout, for like a year afterwards, I would just tell people like, my brain is broken right now. Like, I feel like I'm not helpful to a single person. My brain is broken. I just need to like let that get back to like a normal equilibrium. And I find that like when I'm doing things like out on a walk or run or reading or like focusing on something else, then I get all of these ideas or I remember this thing. And that's what like jumps me forward of like, oh, that was the missing piece that I didn't realize. Like all I need to do is chase that. But I just need to like let my brain breathe for a minute so that I can figure those things out. But like, if you asked me at 20 years old, I would have been like, yeah, I sleep four hours a night and I pack as much as I can through the day and I don't say no to a single thing. And it's just that mentality shift has been like really key for me.
CT: Yeah, no, I don't feel like people don't talk about it enough. It's like super important. I feel like you get new ideas and like inspirations too. I go on walks all the time for no reason. I'll just listen to my like iPod or my phone or whatever. And because sometimes like there's no inspiration. So it's like why grind out when there's no inspiration? Because some days you could just get a crazy idea and then you're just on like a nine hour run where you're just going for it. Because, you know, you can't force it.
AM: Right. Yeah. And there's always things to do. Like I can sit down on my computer and I can cross things off the list that are like don't take a ton of brain power and you still kind of feel productive. But there are some days that you're like, this is going to kill me if I just sit here and do something that's just crossing things off the list.
CT: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, no, it's like literally how I feel. There's, I really don't have that much of a structure. Like I kind of just, I mean, I play tennis in the morning, so I kind of wake up like around the same time. But aside from that, it's not like, like noon I'm going to do this. Like it's always kind of sporadic. It's like I'll have some like lunch meetings or this or that. And then I usually just write down everything on my notes on my phone for like what I need to get done. That's how I organize it.
AM: Yeah, I do that too. That and I still like typical millennial women write things down pen and paper. I used to do that, but now I just do, I do notes on my phone for things I have to get done. And then everything meetings and call wise, I just put it in my calendar on my phone. That's how I organize my whole thing.
CT: Yeah. Kind of like within it.
AM: Yeah. You hit on, you've talked about like playing tennis and like sports growing up. And I also, I come from a sports family. I played sports, I ref-ed sports, were avid sports family. And that is a big part of how I connect to the business world, is I'm like using these sports analogies all the time of like being a team player. Your GM is like the owner of the team and the coaches in all these like different things. And everyone's, you're on a team sport and everyone has their own job and their own specialty. And you're all working together and you're building momentum. And you got to sell tickets to the clients, to like all of those kinds of things. Do you recognize any of those through lines in the way that you look at the world from the things that you learned from sports growing up?
CT: Yeah, like kind of. But then at the same time, like most of my experience in tennis was me by myself. So like in some respects, I'm not used to like relying on other people because it's been just me alone on the court. Now, I definitely did play a lot of doubles in tennis going up. And then also like in high school and college, it was more of a team type dynamic. So I'm like kind of accustomed to it, but it wasn't like I grew up playing basketball or football where it was really like a real team effort. So sometimes, yeah, sometimes I don't know if it's good, like for my mentality for work and stuff, because I'm just so used to like being at all on me.
AM: Yeah, that's what I was thinking is I wonder if that has actually served you well to be in a more of an individual sport, because then you've got the courage and it feels natural to you to do all of these other things on your own and be like, yeah, I'm just going to throw this party. Yeah, I'm just going to jump into the music business. Like, yeah, I'm just going to help out with this event.
CT: Right. Yeah, that I would say that's more of my vibe. I need to get better at that. I need to get better at like the team dynamics stuff, not because I'm like a ball hog or selfish or whatever. I'm just like not used to being able to like trust others. Like, you know what I'm saying? I'm used to like if I miss the forehand in the net, like I just lost the point, you know? So, yeah, that's like the one thing maybe that's like not good about me playing tennis growing up.
AM: I disagree, but there's always things to, if there's another thing that I'll like reflect back to you, is it seems like you're another one of those like lifelong learners that's just always trying to like grow and evolve and like find your next thing and, you know, expand your brain a little bit?
CT: Yeah, no, that totally. If you were to tell me like you know, five or seven years ago or whatever, that I'd be doing my MBA at USC, I'd be like, that's, you're crazy, because my grades when I was originally in school were terrible, like, you know? Yeah, so it's like, I will not know where things will be five years from now, but who knows? Maybe I get sick of innovating, you know? And I'm just gonna chill on my couch and play Fortnite.
AM: That doesn't sound like a dream. And also sounds like you'd get bored of it. I would get bored of it after a while.
CT: Yeah.
AM: And kind of thinking of that, of like being a lifelong learner and looking outside at other people, my last question that I have for everyone is, who's another business or leader that you see out there in the world that is doing it the right way and making a positive impact? And it could be anyone from like an old boss, a coworker, a client, someone that you're a customer of, like absolutely anyone, but someone that you think deserves a shout out.
CT: As far as like giving back to the community and all that kind of stuff or…
AM: That's great. Or even just someone that you're like, oh, they're really great entrepreneur. They're really great in the music business. Like just anyone that you look up to.
CT: Man, that's a tough one. I don't know, maybe like Warren Buffet or something like that. He seems kind of like a level headed guy.
AM: And I think I read in the news that he's going to like give everything away when he passes, right? So I guess like I can't criticize that if that's what he's doing, you know?
CT: Yeah. But he seems like a pretty like normal down to earth guy. You know what I mean? It doesn't seem like he's like jaded, like you know what I mean by the whole thing? So I kind of I like his vibe. I think I watched one of his documentaries or things like where he still drives like the same car from like 20 years ago and goes to McDonald's. And that's like my life. Yeah. Yeah. And then he's going to make this huge impact by like giving away all this money.
AM: I heard Bill Gates is trying to do the same thing of just like I'm not passing all this down to my kids. I'm trying to give away as much as possible.
CT: Yeah, I think, you know, all that stuff's like admirable. So, you know, I guess like I would have to, that's like the main thing that would maybe come to mind.
AM: Yeah.
CT: I didn't, I never thought about that before. I don't, I don't really necessarily like look up to like one person. I just kind of like take bits and pieces of inspiration from a lot of different people. Because kind of like what I'm doing is like more of like a hybrid thing. So it's like hard to like base it just off one person. But there's like a lot of people I take inspiration from.
AM: Yeah, because you're doing like a good gillion different things. That's not surprising at all.
CT: Yeah, yeah, it sounds like it, but it's like, you know, it all like coincides. You know, I don't know, maybe in the future, like things will turn into more like hybrid type entrepreneurial like stuff. I don't know.
AM: Yeah. I mean, it already kind of sounds like, again, I'm trying to like hold a mirror up to you, but like it already kind of sounds like there, it is all connected, even though it feels like there are these different things.
CT: Yeah, it's totally all connected. It's all connected because it's like, you know, some, like there'll be some people that are like music consulting clients. And then, you know, there's like hospitality projects that I do. And then the political events and all those people could go to the events. So it all like kind of like is in one ecosystem.
AM: Yeah. Yeah.
CT: Yeah.
AM: Totally. Well, this has been really great. I thank you so much for doing this. I wish you all the best. I can't wait to hear about like the gajillion other things that you're going to do in the future. Especially like when you're done with school.
CT: Yeah. Yeah. No, I'll give you, I'll give you updates on some of the events that I have coming up. And then if I'm ever in your neck of the woods for one of the events, I'll definitely send you an invite if you want to come.
AM: Yeah, absolutely. Let me know.
CT: Yeah.
AM: Yeah.
CT: Yeah.
AM: Thank you so much to everyone who has subscribed through the Patreon. These subscriptions are what fund the project and keep it going. There's so many different tiers available starting at $1 and $2 a month, and each tier gets you access to different kinds of things. So, for example, the $2 a month listener tier gets you access to interviews on Thursday. So early access to the audio and video versions of interviews that are out every Thursday, typically in the evening time. Your $3 a month member tier adds on these weekly Between the Interviews series on Mondays. That's what gave a little sneak peek. There are some early examples of those Between the Interviews that were posted on the main feed so that folks could kind of get a lay of the land and what's behind the motivation for this project. Those reflection episodes are still going every Monday and the folks in that member tier still have access to those things. The VIP tier has access to merch. I really do my best to give back to those that are joining. So check the show notes for the link to the Patreon. There's a lot there. If you're interested in any of the behind the scenes of how this project gets made from the back ends, like if you are someone who is interested in starting anything that looks similar to this, whatever your topic is, I am really open, just like I'm asking these folks that I'm interviewing about the mistakes that they made. I do my best to be very open about the mistakes and the lessons learned that I made, plus the resources that really helped me, the people that I'm looking up to.
Like, yeah, why not share my experience there? So, that's all available there. And just in general, I truly want to hear from you, so please, please message me on Instagram, message me on the Patreon, leave me a review that tells me what you think of it, email me your thoughts and your suggestions, including the things that you don't like. I got a tough skin, people. You can tell me the things that I need to improve upon. I am very open about early days, early stage, that this entire project and almost everything that goes into it is brand spanking new to me. And I am learning, you know, not just from these leaders that I'm interviewing, but I'm learning about the technical side of things, I'm learning about social media, I'm learning about advertising, like I'm learning about all of these types of things, and I am happy to share what I have learned as well. And so I want your feedback. I want the things that I'm not talking about, that you want to hear about, that is within this Capitalism for Good space. So reach out to me. I want to hear from you. I truly do. Send me your thoughts and I'll do your research. Like I said, I really am listening and kind of creeping to see where people are coming from, where you're located, what your interests are. And so if there's an industry or an interest of yours that I haven't hit on, that you are really interested, like some of your thoughts, if you have a question that is related to this Capitalism for Good project, I'll do the research here. So send them on over. I'm already doing it. I might as well do something that fits what you're asking for and what you're looking for.
Finally, my last little plug and shout out here is if you are interested in working together to build better community, check out the business website for CFG. It's at capitalismforgood.com. There's also a link down in the show notes. And whether you are interested in starting or expanding a community give back initiative with your company, if you want to play in a volunteer day and you don't want someone that's already your full-time employee taking away from their normal job to do it, if you're looking for a charity partner within a specific space or that aligns cleanly with your company values and your philosophy, or if you want to perhaps talk about some education around the value of community partnerships and what that can add to your business if done well and done efficiently and effectively, I would love to help. So I'd be happy to get on a phone call, see how CFG can help you with your community goals. Once again, would love to hear from you if you've got thoughts, needs, questions, interests anywhere within that space.
I truly believe that we are stronger when we work together and that we can truly make a really impactful, positive future if we just put all our brains and our skills together and leverage those things to build better community. So, all right, that's enough. Let's go leave this place better than we found it.”
