Over my time spent in an internship with Innovation Concerts in Toledo, I met some incredible people. One of those people was Dan Quigley. He is a very motivated person who has such an infectious laugh. He was a very good influence on me and a great guy to get to know. I was very fortunate to interview him about his work and his passions for the business side of the music industry.

1. Tell me a little about what your job position is.

"I’m the Office Manager for Innovation Concerts, a company that books concerts in Toledo, Ohio. We also operate a record store and a restaurant. I play a part in the social media for all the businesses, monitor finances, schedule employees, and am the point of contact for utilities and other functions businesses need to operate. I also play Guitar in a band, do touring and session work, and occasional consulting work."

2. What made you decide to head down the business route in the music industry?

I’ve always had a passion for music. Throughout life, I’ve come to learn that everything falls back on business. I knew that in order to be successful in my passions, I’d need to understand and become obsessive with business and how it works.

3. How do you manage all of your daily tasks/meetings?

I am extremely passionate about time management. Between everything I do, a standard day lasts from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for me. I plan out all my meetings and time-span oriented tasks in a Cloud-based calendar that I can access on my phone or any computer. Tasks that don’t happen at a specific time, I keep track of in a similar Cloud-based to-do list organizer. This helps me track of everything and also motivates me further as a check tasks off my to-do lists. I believe time management is absolutely crucial to success.

4. Do you have a daily routine?

Every day is different for me, but I always have it planned out in my calendar to make the best use of my time. I place a large focus on fitness and health and, as a result, plan the gym and a consistent sleep schedule to keep myself healthy and energized all the time.

5. What was your education like that led you to this?

Throughout high school, I played cello and guitar. This was what lead me to discover my passion for music. After learning more about what it takes to become successful, I discovered my passions for business and productivity. I’m currently about to complete a degree double majoring in finance and professional sales which have helped me greatly understand key points crucial to success.

6. What are some tools that are essential to our job?

Like I mentioned earlier, the most crucial tool I use is my calendar and planner applications. I would be lost without these and the notes I make within them.

7. What is your goal in the music industry?

At the end of the day, I want to play music, travel, and help others achieve success. Any decision I make furthers me towards these grand goals. I see myself owning multiple businesses in the future and being able to create jobs for people to develop, learn, and grow in to achieve more than I ever will.

8. How have your experiences helped (or hindered) you in pursuing the business side of music?

Being in a full-time touring band has taught me the most about business out of anything I’ve done. A band is a business. You are a business. Being out there in the thick of it all and actually doing it is what teaches you the “how.” You can read all day about information and ideas, which is important -- but nothing will actually replace getting out there and going full force at what you want to achieve.

*Answers have been edited.