How Prime Day Fueled My Origin Story as a Founder
“Yo, all I need is one mic, one beat, one stage” - Nas, One Mic
July 15, 2015 was the first Amazon Prime Day. Customers bought more items than on Black Friday 2014, the biggest Black Friday ever at the time. More than 34.4 million items were ordered.
July 15, 2015 also marked the day I would make a purchase that would launch a hobby turned passion, eventually evolving into a career pursuit. I did not need anything on that Wednesday, but my coworkers were talking about the random items they were buying; naturally, I had to get something.
The Hobby
Scrolling mindlessly through pages and pages, I landed on a sleek silver Blue Yeti microphone, it was a lightning deal, reduced from $129.99 to $89.99. What the heck was I going to do with a microphone? Without much thought, I shouted to my co-workers, “I’m going to start a podcast!”
As would often happen when I shared my bold ideas, it was met with disbelief, “there’s no way you’re starting a podcast” my co-workers said. It did take until April 28, 2018 for me to publish my first episode, but I did it! It also took a contest at my next job and the encouragement of a friend to listen to podcasts, but I did it!
The Passion
Through launching my own show, I realized how much I loved being on the mic and capturing stories. I also realized how much effort it took to edit just to make it sound just okay, not my super power. Enter TJ and StudioPod Media in August 2019. He and I met at a mutual friend’s house party. We skipped the superficial, “what do you do” conversation and connected on our mutual interests. By the end of the conversation he mentioned he had a physical studio where I could record my podcast with guests and ship it to be professionally edited.
My initial reaction was, take all my money, I was in there the next week. Side note, at the start of 2019, I told my fiancé I was going to invest money in myself without any expectation of return. Seeing the physical studio and connecting the dots on the value a service like this could offer individuals and brands, the pursuit began. The dialogue that followed is one of my favorite stories to tell:
Me: Do you have a partner?
TJ: No
Me: Do you want one?
TJ: No
Me: Okay, coo coo coo (internal dialogue: “Let me put on my Gary V hat and show you what value I can bring”)
The Pursuit
Six months after visiting the studio, we decided to be Co-Founders. Over the past 3 years, we have built an audio-first production company, fueled by a team of unbelievable coordinators, producers, writers and editors. Our Mission has been ‘Empower Through Audio’ from the jump. Now we act as Co-Producers to brands, truly leveling up their Content Marketing, well beyond volume.
While I now only recommend buying podcast equipment from small businesses, shout out to BSW, the first Amazon Prime Day was pivotal for me, I found a new hobby. Three years later, I launched my first episode, finding a passion. Less than two years after that, I became a Co-Founder, pursuing to make this my career. I don’t know what it will take others to get started, but I hope my journey helps provide a bit of motivation. If podcasting happens to be of interest to you, lock in time with me, I’d love to help you amplify your voice.
PodOn!