Create The Position
Building Opportunities Where None Exist
Introduction:
Ryan, your manager, Kent, tried to charge me $30,000 to book you to come perform. I was in college man… that’s 1/2 of my tuition man lol.
This interaction with Ryan Leslie is one I’ll remember for years. Growing up, he was one of the first singer-songwriters I truly connected with — someone who always put music first while simultaneously thinking like an entrepreneur.
That mindset led him to Grammy recognition, but it also pushed him to become a pioneer beyond music through SuperPhone — an early direct-to-consumer messaging platform that gave artists and businesses ownership over their audience relationships and communication.
So why is Ryan Leslie significant?
Because he created a lane that was uniquely his own. He went from being signed to independent and still found sustainability — not by chasing another deal or selling his catalog, but by building solutions for emerging artists. Through entrepreneurship, he positioned himself as a pioneer in the space he genuinely cared about.
His story is another reminder that we have to create our own roles and positions with brands, companies, and communities. Too often we search for the “right” job or the “right” space to operate in.
After this trip to London, I can tell you: you don’t wait for it — you create it.
Build. Leverage yourself. Create opportunities. You never know where it can take you or who you might help reach the next level.
Indie Week Celebration:
Indie Music Week is back, and I am teaming up with Open Wav and NativRoots to launch the Open Week of Indie Week. We are presenting a mixer that welcomes artists, executives, creatives, and anyone involved in the music space.
The evening will feature a special presentation by myself on marketing and strategy, highlighting innovative ways artists and brands can grow within today’s music industry. We’ll also premiere a parody film directed and edited by David-Georges Renaud, mps
The first 30 guests will receive a complimentary drink courtesy of JUAN, PLEASE DRINK COMPANY, the official sponsor for the night.
Thank you Jaeson Ma for this link up. RSVP or Just Pull Up!
A Week in the UK:
UK, I have no words for you.
Every time I come out here, I learn something new about myself and meet more people who move through life with similar values and purpose.
This trip took us through Southampton, Brighton, and of course, London — all in celebration of Nikmoody’s latest project, Aren’t We All. The project is a reminder that at our core, our struggles and journeys are often more alike than we realize.
During the trip, we connected with the Extreme Music team and celebrated Nik performing at The Great Escape Festival. It was truly a memorable experience. I also had the chance to reconnect with creatives I’ve worked with before and build with others I hope to collaborate with in the future.
More than anything, this trip reminded me of the value of patience.
We may not be exactly where we want to be yet, but we are not where we once were. That message lives throughout Nikmoody’s EP, and we’re living it through the journey itself.
Conclusion
If you think you can’t have conversations with executives from brands or companies, you’re completely wrong. Look at your portfolio. Think about how you can leverage your work, experience, and knowledge to help transform companies without ever working there directly.
I’ve been in rooms with industry experts who honestly don’t know what’s going on. For someone who works day in and day out, this is exactly where I want to be. It puts me in a position to control my own fate and build the future I want.
I’m careful about what information I share, but I continue to put in the work and let the results speak for themselves — showing people that maybe, just maybe, working with us is worth considering.
This newsletter was a fun one to write. Wishing you the most blessed day ahead. I’m going to enjoy the day at SURA Korean BBQ in Williamsburg. Love everyone!