How We're Building The Next Streaming Platform for Creatives
Hello, my name is Patrick Hill, I am the Executive Director of A Cultivated Mindset and the Founder of Disctopia.
Disctopia is an Indie Music and Podcast Hosting Platform operating on a non-exclusive basis. We have a goal and that is to improve the value of creators' content and provide them with a platform to distribute their content.
We launched Disctopia in 2017 and it has been in beta testing till 2020 to become the global streaming service for indie creators. That’s why we are not satisfied with just 10,000 users, we want to grow to 100,000 by the end of the year.
What's your backstory and how did you get into entrepreneurship?
I was inspired to start Disctopia after building websites for indie musicians and creatives in search of platforms to distribute their content independently and more efficiently. My interaction with the indie creatives helped me understand their struggles and worries. This is why I started Disctopia to ease the process of content distribution for indie creators.
If you want to achieve real success and make progress, you need to know that being consistent is key.
So far, I’ve made it my life’s mission to empower creatives regardless of what they do. We know indie creatives need the best mediums to share their creative content, that’s why I am passionate about easing the process for these growing numbers of indie creators.
As of today, we are the only streaming platform dedicated to indie artists and creatives. At the core of our values at Disctopia is providing content creators with the most freedom than other platforms. I am interested in seeing everyone succeed and prosper in their art. I want to change the narrative, ensuring that creative content owners and indie artists can succeed.
Take us through your entrepreneurial journey. How did you go from day 1 to today?
My love for tech did not start today but far back in high school, that’s what pushed me to study Computer Information Systems and a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. I think my love for anything technology is traceable back to high school and I fell deeper after my insights into the combined action of Technology and people of color while studying at the HBCU Livingstone College.
I should also mention that I had a small hustle while on the Livingstone campus. Helping students to repair the hardware and update the software of their computers. That should be like my first business. However, my time at the Bank of America was a mind opener about running a business. That’s where I picked up the leadership skills that have helped build A Cultivated Mindset.
For Disctopia, I have had the idea for about 10 years. I didn’t implement it. It took the request of a friend who believed I could help him circulate his new mixtape. That was how I set up a website that would help him be able to sell his music directly to his audience.
I saw my friend selling out to just his family members . That was the catalyst needed to push Disctopia off the ground. I thought that if I can do it for my friend, why not do it for every other independent artist and creative out there. That’s how I started by building individual websites for these artists.
Disctopia is the upgrade to these individual streaming websites. I started a full-service streaming platform for creatives to get paid for their content. At inception, the focus was just on independent musicians, but now we accommodate podcasters, filmmakers, skit makers, and videographers. These creatives can sell their merchandise on the platform.
How are you doing today and what does the future look like?
It’s a bit difficult convincing the music industry of the value proposition of Disctopia but we are making progress. I have had to pitch numerous celebrities, but they are all unconvinced about Disctopia. What they don’t know is that Disctopia has the capabilities of Netflix, Starz, Soundcloud, and other streaming platforms.
While I find it quite challenging, I’d say we are too deep into Disctopia to give up on it. We’ve been able to raise funding, and we intend to raise more in our effort to turn Disctopia into Platform-as-a-service. Yes, funding is crucial to our success as a start-up.
We have a set target of at least 100,000 users on the platform and adding 25 minority engineers to the team.
Through starting the business, have you learned anything particularly helpful or advantageous?
That would be to never stop learning. I’m always learning, unlearning, and relearning. I don’t know who said it that the illiterate of the 21st century is not anyone who cannot read or write, but anyone unable to learn, unlearn and relearn.
As an entrepreneur just starting, you need to be ready to embrace personal growth. Let’s be realistic, what got you here, won’t take you beyond here. You will need to update your skills and understanding of your niche
What platform/tools do you use for your business?
Disctopia is a Microsoft Partner and SOC II Type one certified. We want to ensure that our clients feel safe when it comes to their digital assets. As a Microsoft Partner, we offer Microsoft-related services for cloud services, solutions deployment, and support services.
What have been the most influential books, podcasts, or other resources?
That would be The Richest Man in Babylon. As an entrepreneur, most of my guiding principles about finances are traceable to this book. In the back of my mind, I always know that for me to be able to bring my dreams and desires to reality, I have to learn to be successful with money.
In this instance, if I’d want to be successful in my dreams about Disctopia, I must master the laws of money.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who want to get started or are just starting out?
One thing I’ve always wanted to tell anyone just starting is this; be consistent. If you want to achieve real success and make progress, you need to know that being consistent is key. I wish many of these entrepreneurs know that there’s no perfect business idea, what you should focus on is showing up every day and putting in the time.
When I say be consistent, I’m saying that you have to keep repeating what you are doing, to ensure you get better at it. In no time, you’ll get better and be the best version of yourself.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
Social media manager.
Where can we go to learn more?
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
