Navigating Five Career Shifts: From Music to Startups

In my early 20s, I was immersed in the vibrant life of a drummer for an indie band. We traveled to various festivals and even broke into the UK’s Top 10 Independent Singles Chart.

But it was clear to me that this success would not be everlasting. A time would eventually come when I needed to transition into a more stable career.

After leaving the band in 2008, my professional path turned eclectic. I've engaged in retail, joined startup ventures, and rose to a senior position at Visa Europe. By 2018, I launched Audoo, an innovative company designed to ensure musicians receive due royalties, backed by investors like Elton John.

Unexpected Professional Journeys

Though the career trajectories I've taken were unpredictable, they have always felt intuitive as my aspirations evolved. Despite the changes in job titles, my unwavering belief in hard work remains constant. From my experience, diligence wins nine out of ten times.

Early Dreams and a Musical Beginning

As a child, the dream was to become a football player, until music captured my attention. My father, a Motown enthusiast, envisioned me playing the saxophone. I learned the clarinet first, then picked up the sax, and finally the drums, thinking it might increase my appeal.

My plans to attend music school for jazz never materialized. After my high school exams, my band, which I was part of as a drummer, received a deal from an indie label. The mere mention of a 'record deal' gave me chills.

Starting in 2006, we began recording studio sessions and touring alongside major acts. Reflecting on it, the touring experience was as enriching as attending a university, enhancing my musical prowess and social skills.

Reality After the Band

Life in the band was enjoyable but fraught with challenges. Budget accommodations and the uncertainty of income were constant companions. It soon became apparent that our label had bigger priorities, favoring bands with higher sales and better behavior.

When the band days concluded, a wave of uncertainty hit. I knew I needed to find a job. Starting as an assistant store manager at a mobile phone retailer in 2008, I progressed to more prominent roles over four years.

From Retail to a Corporate World

The retail sector taught me immensely about daily transactions. It bore resemblances to life in the band, particularly in sales where I marketed merchandise after gigs. Both roles honed my skills in managing resources and persuading customers.

In 2012, following my redundancy, I transitioned to a business development role at an app startup, landing a senior position at Visa Europe by late 2013.

Visa was my first foray into a corporate setting. Initially daunting, the environment allowed me room to innovate. Though I hadn’t planned on leaving Visa due to its compensations, I was later convinced to join a fintech startup, lured by an extraordinary business idea.

The Birth of Audoo

The inception of Audoo was inspired one day when in a department store with my wife. A past single from my band played over the speakers; a moment leading to jokes about the royalties such plays would generate. But upon reviewing a royalty statement, I noticed a lack of transparency in the payment process. The realization struck that the system was fragmented.

Fueled by innovations like Alexa or Shazam, the concept to create tech identifying public music plays to ensure fair artist payment was born. I inserted Audoo into reality with early prototypes at my kitchen table, sparking a committed effort to design something revolutionary.

Building and Scaling Audoo

Officially founding Audoo in August 2018 at 33, amidst personal changes – a new puppy and impending fatherhood – I reached out on LinkedIn to industry experts, quickly validating the sheer potential for our product. Our Audiometer technology, now prominent, captures music in public spaces, relaying data to collection agencies to handle royalties properly.

ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus saw potential, investing after seeing me promote Audoo. His statements exceeded expectations, affirming a belief that Audoo will redefine the music landscape.

Embracing Change and Future Pathways

Word spread in music circles, attracting investments from notable figures like Elton John. The rewards of our mission are immense, yet I remain attuned to future opportunities.

Reflecting on my time as a drummer, I never imagined leading a tech company. I’m open to where life will steer me next, always resetting goals every few years. It’s important for me to keep learning and adapt to new opportunities, never limiting myself to a single path.