Remember the classic film The Karate Kid? In it, the young protagonist, Daniel LaRusso, learns karate through seemingly mundane tasks like waxing cars and painting fences. Unbeknownst to him, these tasks are actually foundational to mastering karate. Similarly, my early years in the music industry felt like a real-life Karate Kid experience. Just as Daniel was unknowingly preparing for his karate journey, I was unknowingly preparing for my business journey.
Starting out in the music business, I had to cold call record companies to get a meeting, navigating my way past reception to reach the A&R guy. When I couldn't get a meeting, I showed up unannounced, trying to find a way in. Once inside, I had to convince someone to listen to my demo and then sign me.
When I eventually got my record deal, I had no business experience. None. Where do you even learn about business when you're young? I just didn't know anything. But looking back, I realize it was the best crash course in business I could have ever had.
After getting signed to Delicious Vinyl, I had to create a name and a brand. Oh, by the way, I hated the name Jesse Jaymes, but I went with it because the label had already had success with Young MC and Tone Loc, and that’s what they wanted. But I had to think about everything from the album cover to writing songs and marketing the album. I was doing all of this with no help at the age of 21.
At the time, I didn't even think about it. I just did what I had to do. That's what entrepreneurship is all about. When I started my own business later on, it was the same thing. I had no idea what I was doing or how I was going to get there, but I wore every hat and put out fires along the way.
Looking back, I realize that I was going through a kind of Karate Kid experience. Just like how Daniel LaRusso was waxing cars and painting fences without realizing he was learning karate, I was learning the ins and outs of business without even knowing it. I thought I was just getting a record deal, but in reality, I was attending business school.
So, if you find yourself in a job that seems unrelated to your ultimate goals, don't despair. You might just be waxing on and waxing off, learning the skills you need to become a master in your field. Keep an open mind, work hard, and trust that every experience teaches you something valuable. You never know when you might need to use your karate skills in the business world.
Or better yet, start a side hustle that teaches you a skill you want to learn.
