The Lonely Entrepreneur: Music Entrepreneur Initiative supporting artists

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Michael Dermer, CEO of The Lonely Entrepreneur, who highlights their comprehensive platform offering on-demand learning modules, tools, and coaching for entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on supporting musicians through the Music Entrepreneur Initiative. During the interview, Michael shares his background as a former corporate lawyer who founded and sold a healthcare company before transitioning to support entrepreneurs through learning communities and resources.

Michael discusses the development of their learning community for entrepreneurs, which now offers 2,500 on-demand learning modules, tools, and templates, along with financing sources and live coaching. He highlights efforts to expand this initiative across Tennessee, collaborating with philanthropic, corporate, and governmental partners, including the National Entrepreneur Center and Epicenter. Michael introduces the Music Entrepreneur Initiative, aimed at empowering artists with free access to the learning community, with a goal of assisting 100,000 artists nationally and 4,000 in Tennessee. The initiative relies on donations to support artists for a year, with each $250 contribution funding one artist.

Michael discusses the unique challenges and opportunities for musicians and artists in the modern entertainment industry. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both artistic and entrepreneurial skills, highlighting that while artists need to master specific music-related topics like rights organizations and licensing, they also require basic business knowledge to succeed. Michael explains that their platform offers 2,500 learning modules, including 250 specifically focused on music, covering everything from basic concepts to complex issues like digital streaming and international monetization. He stresses the need for artists to leverage technology and rights platforms for broader audience reach, while also acknowledging that some artists may struggle with digital basics like email and social media.

Michael explains how their nonprofit foundation and platform supports musicians through donations, with $250 funding an artist's access for a year. He details that donors can specify which artists they want to support, and the foundation works with songwriter associations and local colleges to provide access to the platform. Michael also mentions that scholarships are available for support staff and technicians working with musicians.

Michael highlights the positive feedback from the funding community and entrepreneurs and artists in Nashville and Memphis, noting that their free, non-commercial approach builds trust and enables entrepreneurs to receive much-needed guidance. He emphasizes the organization's focus on supporting small businesses and artists, many of whom earn less than $1,000 monthly, and encouraged listeners to donate through tlefoundation.org/MEI to help support more entrepreneurs.

Visit https://tlefoundation.org/music-entre... to learn more about The Lonely Entrepreneur and the Music Entrepreneur Initiative.