Some people think that the key to success lies within their daily routine. Do you agree with this, and if so, what is your daily routine?
Yes, success lies in your daily routine because a routine is a system, and systems are what create results. If you’re doing the same thing everyday and it’s not getting you closer to your goals, that means there’s a problem in your routine or “system”. My daily routine has changed a lot over the years but currently it’s wake up, drink coffee, get on emails and do calls with partners or mentorship one-on-ones with other artists, songwriters and producers. Then I get to be creative at night. I’m usually recording songs and writing songs. Wake up, repeat over and over. Coffee, emails, work, music, repeat.
Looking back at your teenage years, did you have any entrepreneurial interests?
Absolutely. I went to school with the kids of a lot of major tech entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs and Vinod Khosla. So I was surrounded by people with unlimited imagination from a very young age. I’ve always had that entrepreneurial spirit. When I was fifteen I signed my first music publishing deal. So absolutely, I saw my music craft as a business opportunity even as a teenager.
Is there a specific time of day when you feel most productive?
takes meetings before 10:00AM. Ever since then I’ve been like, “I’m not taking meetings until after 10:00AM also.”
Do you think there is one character trait/skill that is important to have in order to become a successful entrepreneur in today’s world?
Yes, being able to do personal development. That means whatever personal development looks like to you. It can be listening to audio books or reading books, anything that is putting new information into your mind. That is the number one skill that people are missing. It is extremely hard to break out of the situation you’re in if you are surrounded by people who are not where you want to be. I think it was a Jim Rohn that said something like, “You’re the average of the five people that you surround yourself with.” That is the number one thing that people need to do – they need to audit their circle and continuously put new and more valuable information into their brains.
Has being a woman in the business world affected you positively or negatively, and how so?
It’s only been negative because we live in a patriarchy. When men do something in business they are rewarded for it versus when women take control and stand their ground they are seen as “bitchy” and “controlling”. There’s just a different light spun on women with business mindsets. But I am so happy to be a woman today because there are so many opportunities for women and minority women in the business world. At the end of the day, it’s a positive thing. Being a woman in the business gives me attention in the right way. I think everyone out there who identifies as female should be absolutely proud of being a woman going after their dreams. We’re going to flip the patriarchy – that’s what I say.
What is one major goal that you wish to achieve by 2030?
I think I’ll do it before 2030, but I want to build a multi-billion dollar business with my company, HRDRV.
Who is your biggest influence and why?
I have creative influences and business influences. I don’t know if I could choose one. If I were to choose a business influence, I would say Steve Jobs. Historically he was not seen as the nicest person, he had a huge vision and he probably felt like no one could relate to him and how he moved. But I really admire how he revolutionized many industries within one company’s mission. That mission was to “think different”. He changed computing and even how music is consumed. On the creative side, the very first singer I remember looking up to was Alicia Keys. I was obsessed with her as a songwriter and an artist and I loved (and still love) her entire aura as a business woman.
If you could pick one female entrepreneur, who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
Mickey Shiloh.
What has been the most formative advice you have received and why?
The one thing I heard that changed my life forever was something Tony Robbins said: “you don’t have a business until you have built a system that can be sold.” That completely changed my life because five years ago I was making decent money as a songwriter and writing for independent artists and producers. But I realized if I stopped working, the money stops – thus, I had no business. I felt successful as a 25 year old making six figures a year, but if I stopped working the money stopped. You have to build a business and a system that can be sold. That was the one phrase that changed my life forever. I was like, “how do I make money in my sleep?” Ultimately I have achieved that – but I’m still on level one of it.
What has been the most impressive/memorable question anyone has ever asked you?
I have had too many impressive questions!
If you have siblings, are they also entrepreneurs?
I have a younger brother and three younger sisters. My little sister, Aalia, she is absolutely entrepreneurial. She’s actually your age, she’s sixteen. She’s a fashionista and wants to create companies that somehow mix interior design with fashion. I think the generation of kids that are coming up now will just naturally have that spirit because we’re moving from the industrial era into creative entrepreneurship. We’ve actually been in the creative entrepreneurship era for at least ten to fifteen years now. It’s really starting to take precedence now.
Do you think the drive to become an entrepreneur is born with or is learned?
I think that you’re born with it. I think you can learn anything you apply yourself to. Yes, I think it is learnable but it is one of the hardest things to do if that is what you decide you want to learn. My first answer to the question is: yes, I think you’re born with it, but secondly if someone has the absolute determination, the drive, the focus, the vision to become an entrepreneur – I think there is always an exception to the rule.
CONTACT INFORMATION & SOCIAL MEDIA HRDRV CEO/ Founder Los Angeles, CA Address:350 S. Grand Avenue Suite 2900 Los Angeles, CA 90071-3406 website: https://hrdrv.com/ and https://www.mickeyshiloh.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hrdrv/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/hrdrvrecords LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelashiloh/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/hrdrv/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5oa3DZRGgw email: [email protected]