I'm the founder of an online store and music community called LabelState.com. Bands can upload their t-shirt designs to my site as sellable t-shirts, and upon sale we print the tee, post it out, and pay the band a royalty. Day to day, I run my company from a little office in Redfern.
Why do you do it?
I do it because it ticks a whole bunch of boxes for me, in terms of goals and life-satisfaction… I get to work for myself, I get to build a business, I get to help up-and-coming bands and position myself in the music industry. It gives me a feeling of self-determination that I've been searching for for a long time.
What do you love about the city you live in?
I think the thing I love most is just walking around Sydney… on a sunny day, my favourite walk is from Redfern where I live and work, down leafy Bourke St through Surry Hills, up past the Domain and the National Art Gallery, and down to the harbour via the Botanical Gardens. I love the weather and that my friends are all here, and mostly available to drink beers at the drop of a hat.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
I was last in the US for SXSW music conference in Austin, Texas, then a road trip from Nashville to NYC. So it was a working holiday, really. I love the States, it is truly my spiritual home and I hope to live there for a period one day. In the meantime, my yearly trip to Austin and subsequent road trip through weird and wonderful places in America will keep me satisfied.
What's your favourite item of clothing? Why?
I should say one of my t-shirts… but I always come back to my cuban heel boots. You just get a sense of purpose walking down the street in them. Plus they make a satisfying noise on hardwood floors. People know when you enter the room.
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
The X-Files, for sure. Scared the hell out of me.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
Maybe like '60s/'70s Los Angeles, hang out with Jim Morrison or something.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook for us?
Balsamic and ginger marinated chicken wings, cooked on the Webber BBQ.
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
Spend absolutely as little money as possible when setting up a business, which means try to work for someone else for as long as you possibly can 'till it gets up some steam. It's likely the difference between success and failure.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
I had a mullet when I was a kid. I guess my mum knows...
Are you happy with your work/life balance?
Never. Either doing too much or feeling like I'm not doing enough. Of both work and life. Working on it…
How do you define success?
I'd like to say happiness, love… but it's being able to whatever you want whenever you want. Which requires money, and organising your time.
What's your spirit animal?
Easy, the otter. Furry, social, smart. You know they crack open oysters with rocks? Pretty clever. These bad boys can use tools.
