Want a copy of my forthcoming book — 60+ Lessons from the Creative Journey: A Handy Guide for the Budding Entrepreneur — that you can hold and cherish forever?
You’re in luck!
Through our distribution partners at IngramSpark, you can now pre-order a paperback copy of 60+ Lessons! Be one of the first to own my debut book in its physical form, when you head over here and reserve yours today!
I’ve learned countless lessons during my decade-plus creative journey. Some were common sense, “live-and-learn” type experiences, while others came as a direct result of thinking I had a good idea… and falling flat on my face.
One night, I opened a blank document, and I began to compile a list of the most important ones, based on the experiences that forged me into a better creative professional. Before I knew it, I had few dozen… and I added about a dozen more, for good measure!
These 60+ Lessons from the Creative Journey come loaded with anecdotes — whether painful, inspiring, and/or hilarious — from 11+ years building a multimedia and educational platform for independent musicians. The lessons contained within are independent of industry; they apply to anybody with the courage to step out and “build the thing” — no matter what your “thing” is!
Pictured: The sun setting behind the Rocky Mountains from the Gaylord Rocky Mountain Resort (Denver, CO).
I need to tell you about my trip to Denver a couple weekends ago.
I was in town to attend the Achieve Systems BizExplosion Conference. Admittedly, I was looking to shake up my day-to-day, and get some perspective on the direction of this platform — which, as you may remember, recently took a brief, yet thorough detour away from being Underground Music Collective.
On Thursday, October 19, I attended the conference’s welcome reception. Upon entering, I sensed pretty much immediately that this was a different room than the ones to which I had become so accustomed. You had speakers, coaches, and entrepreneurs who had reached a levels of scalable, sustainable success that I, plucky UnderDog that I am, still aspire to reach.
That night — before the conference even officially kicked off — I found myself on the receiving end a ton of valuable feedback about the concept, its niche, and ways that it could be better executed. I heard people’s intrigue around the notion of a music industry-centric platform — and what it could do, if properly built, for independent artists everywhere. I learned so much that night (and throughout the ensuing weekend) about exactly how to properly build it, that I’m still combing through and applying the lessons.
And, to be honest, it all felt a bit overwhelming at first.
I left the reception at about 12:30 a.m. when I caught an Uber back to my Airbnb. I explained to my driver, Mateo, that I was in town to get educated about my business, and I was receiving more of an education than I ever could have expected. I also expressed a bit of self-doubt as I digested the lessons, and wondered what it would take to meaningfully level up from this experience once it was finished.
Mateo then told me he was about to restart the song playing in the car. He wanted me to listen…
That song is “Mirror (You Ain’t Know)” by Brian Hyppolite ft. Nelse… and these words were exactly what I needed to hear in that moment, from the opening refrain.
“Oh, you had it twisted?
Oh, you didn’t know that you was gifted?
You ain’t know that stuff you went through just set you up for winning?
You ain’t know that you was chosen?
You ain’t know that you was golden?
You ain’t know you was important, huh?
You ain’t know you had a purpose
Much bigger than anything you ever considered?
Well, I’ma be your mirror So you can see it clearer…“
When we step out of our comfort zones, our minds can play tricks on us. The stories we’ve internalized can delude us into believing that we aren’t worthy, or ready, or “good enough.” These stories will do everything they can to pull us from our purpose, or fool us into thinking another lane is best for us.
That night, the cards of my imposter syndrome were laid out on the table. However, as I listened to “Mirror (You Ain’t Know)” I realized that I — and not the stories — hold the winning hand.
That moment — and the entire experience of that weekend — helped me reconnect with my mission and vision for this platform. We’re here to build something of impact for independent artists, and connect them to the world of entrepreneurship so that they can built their platforms — and lives — regardless of whether they ever receive traditional music industry approval.
In that moment, it dawned on me that there was no better way to do that than to #GoUnderground.
That’s why we’re back as Underground Music Collective. And frankly, it feels damn good to be walking in this purpose again.
The year was 2014. Underground Music Collective (and its predecessor, Lehigh Valley Underground) was not but a twinkle in my eye. I was cobbling together odd jobs, still living at my parents’ house in New Jersey, and the only piece of the UMC platform that existed to that point was our now-Official Podcast, The Quinn Spinn.
This special presentation from The Quinn Spinn features the interviewer becoming the interviewed.
Our friend Caitie Thompson of Paradox Jukebox hosted a Quick Hits episode to chat about The Quinn Spinn’s 10th year, Underground Music Collective’s new creative agency, and the true-to-life stories that inform our creative journeys.
It’s time to get personal on this week’s Quinn Spinn Solo Mission.
Our founder recently came across the opportunity to win a feature from Muscle & Fitness Magazine as part of the 2023 Mr. Health and Fitness competition.
That’s a long way from being 16 and diagnosed with a very malignant tumor, unsure if life would ever be the same again.
Gerard shares the story of what led to this point, and what this opportunity — at this point in time — could mean for UMC.
