From Trading Weapons to Inventing Music Products: A Conversation with David Packouz – Entrepreneur, Inventor, and Musician

David Packouz is the CEO and Founder of Singular Sound, and the mind behind the revolutionary BeatBuddy Drum Machine Guitar Pedal. In our exclusive interview, we explore David's transformative experiences—from his time as a partner at AEY Inc., a major weapons contractor for the U.S. Department of Defense, to his portrayal by Miles Teller in the Hollywood film War Dogs. David opens up about the process of inventing products, and sharing valuable insights gained while creating one of the most successful music accessory crowdfunding campaigns in history. As a passionate musician, David also reflects on his love for music, the impact of AI on the industry, and how cannabis plays a role in unlocking his creativity. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com

Isabelle Miller is a model, content creator, and influencer based in Los Angeles. In this episode, Isabelle shares her journey from being drawn to art in high school and going to college for information management and technology, to discovering her passion in modeling and content creation. We explore her evolution as a model to content creator and creating content across multiple social media platforms, her transition from graduating college to modeling, and we dive into the world of OnlyFans and how she and many other creators generate income on the platform . She explains why TikTok is her go-to app for content creation and offers tips for creators on marketing, monetization, tailoring content to different platforms to attract the right audience, and balancing between creating content for your fans and content that makes you happy. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com  

Ashton Rodenhiser is the founder of Mind's Eye Creative, a company specializing in graphic recording, graphic facilitation practices, and live illustration.  In this episode, Ashton shares her journey, sparked by a workshop ten years ago, that led her to a career in art and design. We also talk about her process of bringing ideas to life through graphic recording and graphic facilitation practices, the concept and techniques of sketchnoting and how it helps people learn and retain information, the balance between creativity as a hobby versus as a job, and the significance of accessibility in live presentations. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com

In this episode, I interview Annie Barch the Senior Director of Creative at DoubleVerify. We explore her fascinating journey from dreaming of a professional dance career in LA, to studying marketing and advertising at Syracuse University, to her current role as Senior Director of Creative at DoubleVerify. Annie shares how choreographing dance helped her gain skills that now guide her in managing creative teams. She believes active listening and understanding individual work styles are vital for fostering creativity and collaboration within her team. We delve into her project management process, the different software she utilizes, and her efforts to educate tech companies on the importance of design and creativity. Annie discusses the significance of alignment between departments for a company's success and reveals how her team keeps their creative juices flowing through design competitions. She discusses how she draws inspiration from TV shows, music, and dance,  and advises all creatives to be okay with their dreams changing over time. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com

In this episode, I interview Kalim Kalla, the Brand Manager at M&M Products.  We delve into his journey from selling vuvuzelas after attending the World Cup to managing large brands at M&M Products. We discuss how he strives to create brands that echo his family's motto, 'beauty with love,’ by giving people a sense of beauty through self love. Kalim shares how he nurtures a product's lifecycle, ensuring sustainability and quality ingredients while maintaining the efficacy of the product. He provides insights into his unique process of running marketing campaigns, utilizing the power of user-generated content to showcase the impact of his products. We discuss the crucial role of studying your competitors, products, and consumer behaviors regarding product design and sales. And we discover how Kalim taps into his creative flow state by engaging with other brands in the retail space and how he values consistency and persistence in pursuing his goals. Tune in for this amazing conversation that might change your perspective on how to create and sell successful brands!  

In this episode, we're joined by Landon Beal, the Creative Director of RUN Studios. Join us as Landon chronicles his fascinating journey into video production, sparked by his passion for skate videos. He shares how his wife was a pivotal influence in his life and how their relationship significantly shaped his professional path. Landon shares how he harnesses the power of music and physical activity to achieve his creative flow state. He discusses his transformative process of molding client briefs into compelling narratives, shedding light on the dynamics of managing creative teams by trusting and fostering their innate skills and passions. We also talk about how RUN Studios works with tech companies, by being clear, specific, and showcasing their unique creative assets, setting themselves apart from other agencies. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com  

In this episode, I interview Adam Courrier, the Creative Director at Adomni and a pivotal contributor to the initial creative team of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. We dive into Adam's fascinating journey - from shaping the UFC's initial creative design inside and outside the cage, building a successful production company called Running Bull Productions, to transitioning into a creative director role at Adomni. Adam shares insightful lessons from his inspiring career path, including managing creative teams with effective communication, how his finance degree from UNLV helped him as a video producer, and the critical role of self-reflection in career growth. With his transition from being a business owner to a Creative Director, Adam provides valuable insights into making the jump and managing teams within a company with a creative leadership role. We also discuss the evolving landscape of AI in content production, its advantages, challenges, and the continual need for human touch. If you're looking for advice on how to evolve your creative career, tips on transitioning from a business owner to an executive role in a company, or ways to optimize your creativity, this episode is for you. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com

Listen up as we interview John Baltisberger, an award-winning author, plus creative director and publishing editor at Madness Heart Press. In this episode, we delve into John's creative process and gain invaluable insights from his inspiring writing journey. Join us as we dive into the intriguing world of writing for tabletop games, and how writing for one medium doesn’t necessarily make you great at another. Discover how John finds inspiration in his daily walks with his dog and the power of music to ignite his imagination and creative process. We discuss the importance of persistence and the need for writers to keep selling their work, rather than waiting for their big break. John also emphasizes the significance of consistent writing, even when motivation wanes, as a pathway to success. Tune in to gain inspiration and discover the art of crafting captivating stories through writing.  Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com

Join us in this captivating episode as we dive into the world of sports entertainment, trading cards, and entrepreneurship with our special guest, Matt McGuckin, widely known as Dappz. Matt is the visionary Founder of Dappz Sports, a groundbreaking cross-platform sports and entertainment media company.  In our conversation, we explore Matt's entrepreneurial journey and how his childhood immersed in the world of sports shaped his decision to create a company focused on sports entertainment. Discover the secrets behind Matt's ability to consistently work and create content in his flow state, effectively managing his energy and time for maximum productivity. We also delve into the world of sports trading cards and the digital collectibles industry, exploring its highs and lows during the NFT craze, and how it's evolving to place greater value on being backed by physical collectibles. Finally, we explore the valuable insights Matt has gained from his love for sports and athletes, offering priceless wisdom on becoming a successful entrepreneur. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com

In this episode, we welcome Jake Hurwitz, the founder of Thursday Labs. Jake shares his dynamic journey from being inspired by skate videos to becoming a skilled videographer, eventually starting his own marketing and design studio. Our conversation takes us through a powerful encounter he had with a 90-year-old man in South America, where a life-altering quote shifted Jake's perspective and eventually his life path by treating each day like it’s his last. He speaks about his love for snowboarding, and how content marketing in action sports deeply influences his innovative marketing strategies for tech startups. We delve into the role of video content in today's digital world, with Jake highlighting its significance as a compelling medium for marketing and brand storytelling. We also connect on our love for Jiu-Jitsu and how it not only shapes his personal lifestyle but also inspires his professional work ethic.  Whether you're a videographer, action sports lover, marketer, or simply someone seeking to infuse passion into your everyday life, this episode promises a wealth of inspiration. Join us on this thrilling ride with Jake Huwitz, where passion meets profession, creating an enticing blend of life and work. Learn more at TheCreativeHaven.com