Say Whaaaaaat?! SPR Ranked 9.3 Out of 10 on PreApps!

We are AMPED to share the review of the upcoming SPR 2.0 version by Coleen Regan from the one and only PreApps website. For those of you who aren't familiar with this site, it's basically a place to browse to learn about upcoming (or soon-to-be-launched) apps throughout the worldwide mobile app industry. Not only were we ranked 9.3 out of a possible 10, but we are also in the top 5 of the list, as well!  This happens when viewers "vote" for the apps they like, so according to our placement, we must be doing something right! You can find the link to the write-up on us here, check it out and see what the hype is all about.

As you can probably tell, we couldn't wait for Monday to roll around to share the exciting news with you. Thank you for all of your support and patience while we've been working on this upcoming version. We promise you will NOT be disappointed! We are getting closer to launch everyday, so if you're an artist, be sure to sign up here and add your songs to the platform to be a part of our global launch next month!!

#TeamSPR

GMIC Wrap-up

The GMIC turned out to be a great event. Even though the weather and traffic didn't want to cooperate, hundreds of people  still showed up to see the latest that technology had to offer . Meeting different people enables me to see things from a new point of view.

People from all backgrounds can relate to music. Either they listen to it, create it or knows someone who does. Attending these conferences in the past few months have really inspired some great ideas. We have a lot of great features that we are excited about implementing in the future and look forward to hearing your feedback most of all.  Stay tuned! Big thank you to the many people who stopped by and to the GMIC.

SPR @ Apps World Europe (Part 2)

Being that this was our first overseas convention, we didn't know what to expect when we arrived at the massive ExCel Center in London.   It was also the largest convention that we've participated in since launching last year.  Although SPR is a Bay Area-based startup, it was great to experience different cultures and get first hand feedback from so many different backgrounds. We met people from all over the world and their reception to the purpose of SPR's existence was nothing short of a mere confirmation  that we are headed in the right direction. The idea that artists should be able to be more hands-on over their own work was a constant topic of many conversations. This is exactly what we hope to truly provide our users, and dozens of convention attendees helped strengthen our belief that we have been successful in doing so thus far.

With that said, besides networking,  meetings and bringing awareness to SPR, we also had a chance to see what other tech companies and startups had to offer. So much of today's innovation inspires us to keep pushing the envelope and reminds us that we still have work to do if we want to make SPR the number one mobile app for digital distribution.

On another note, we did not win the Appster Award we were nominated for but would like to congratulate AppDirect on their win. It was definitely an honor just to be nominated among some of the industry's most elite companies.

AppsWorld was more than we could have ever hoped for and could not have been hosted by a better place. London is incredible, fun and downright awesome and we can't wait to go back. We'd like to thank AppsWorld Europe for having us and look forward to attending AppsWorld Berlin in April 2015.


We'd also like to give the utmost gratitude to all of you for your support, feedback and sticking with us on this journey. On to our next destination,  Helsinki Finland. If you happen to be in the area, stop by and see us at SLUSH Nov 18th and 19th. To make an appointment please click here, we'd love to meet you.

Until next time...

Shoutout to Music

Music has the ability to bring people together more than anything else on the planet. Money can create jealousy, religion can divide us and even politics keep us separated. When it comes to music, even though there are many types, it has a way of inspiring us all. It has the ability to make us feel things that nothing else can. 

It's hard to believe there used to be a time when  recorded music was unheard of. You actually would have had to be in the same place with the musicians in order to just listen to music. Being able to hear music at our disposal is something we all take for granted. But thanks to technology advancement, we no longer have be near to hear. The connection we feel through music is what gives it the power to bring us together.

52 Pick Up

It seems like it was only yesterday when I made the decision to write a blog. The past year has flown by and it's hard to believe that I'm writing blog number fifty-two already. Throughout this time I've experienced some of the best and the absolute worst moments of my life. The best was getting SmartPhoneRecords off the ground while the worst was losing my father shortly thereafter. Yet even through my darkest days, writing this blog helped keep me focused, because I felt that if even just one person could benefit from reading them, that in itself would be enough for me to press on. So, in essence, I have you to thank, for keeping me going, for holding me accountable, for retweeting, forwarding and "favoriting," for your comments and responses, and most of all, for simply taking the time.

Starting next Monday the blog will be different. I'm not sure exactly what it will look like. I still have six days to figure it out, but whatever it turns out to be, I look forward to sharing it with you.

See you next week.

Well Rounded

It's great to be an expert at something, or a trade or career that we know like the back of our hand. However, we can't go wrong when we involve ourselves with things that are entirely different from our expertise. I used "entirely different" for two reasons: One, you can view a trade or hobby from a non-competitive point of view. And two, you never know what will trigger  inspiration to help catapult you to a new level of success. 

Take Henry Ford as an example. He built his vast fortune by mass-producing automobiles on an assembly line, but not without first being inspired to do so after hearing about how a meat packing company processed its inventory. In an ironic twist of fate, Berry Gordy got his idea for how he managed his Motown artists from none other than Henry Ford himself. Gordy wanted to build artists in the same manner Ford built cars. And just like that, three entirely different businesses soared (that may not have otherwise existed) due to the inspiration that was gained simply by these men's willingness to be a novice. So the next time you have the opportunity to learn about something new, take advantage and seize the moment, for you never know the ways in which it will inspire your life and your business.

It's Not What You Get, But What You Become

When pursuing a goal in life, most of us only focus on the end result, or what we're going to get once it's reached.  What seems to be widely  overlooked at times is what we become in the process during this wild dream chase, which brings me to this week's topic.

While on your ultimate trek, what are you learning?  Who are you meeting?  What have you discovered?  In what ways are you growing?  What do you know now that you didn't before?  These questions allow us see beyond the pitfalls that can sometimes arise, and help us to remember the progress that we are making in spite of minor issues we may face along the way.  How you handle the challenges that present themselves are what separates the winners from the rest. The amount of research, discipline and rejection that you must deal with is, at times, enough to make some people give up.  On the other hand, those same challenges can be interpreted as a form of paying ones dues, or even a "tuition" in the School of Hard Knocks.  When we overcome obstacles and extract the lessons from them, we are building our life portfolio, for it's the personal growth, and wisdom, and the ability to persevere throughout life that truly reflects what we're worth.  Reaching our goal is just the icing on the cake.

Embrace Your Constraints

I read something the other day that struck me as profound, because it made me really question myself. In this book, the author suggests that we "embrace our constraints".  He was explaining that by doing so, it makes us focus, and drives creativity by forcing us to do more with less. I guess it does, in a way. It made me think of stories about "Rags to Riches" where those who grew up in severe financial hardships go on to have success and wealth because of the lack of resources (a.k.a. "constraints") they faced during their childhood. Perhaps not having an abundance of things forced these individuals to push beyond those who may have had a more fortunate situation.

I grew up right in the middle. My family was far from impoverished, but we certainly weren't vacationing in The Hamptons every summer, either. We were comfortable. Had this conditioned me to expect "comfort" in my adult life too, or do I embrace the constraints I'm given? I'd like to think it's the latter, but maybe I'm giving myself too much credit. Either way, it's time that I stop wishing for more and start working with less. It could be the very key to my success. (And no...I didn't mean for that to rhyme.)

So what about you? Have you embraced your constraints?

Is THIS what you're waiting for?

Some of us need the perfect conditions in order to start a project or pursue a dream. If only we had enough money, or time, or resources, we could bring our dreams to life. Let's be honest--if we wait on the perfect moment to make our dream come true, chances are, it will never come. While it's true that certain times are better than others, there is rarely a "perfect time" when it comes to taking a risk or going down personal uncharted territory.

The Rare Road to Success

Starting a business, having a baby or going in for surgery, for example, are all very risky. Even equipped with the best plans, there's simply no way to predict the journey or the outcome. But one thing is for certain--if you stand around waiting for the perfect moment to appear, you'll be waiting forever. So now it's time to ask yourself, "What are you waiting for?"

Think Small (How starting small helps you grow)

Nature has a way of teaching us lessons.  What we see as everyday occurrences can hold a wealth of inspiration if we stop for a minute and think about our connection to the World. Which brings me to today's topic.

If you want to do something big in life you have to start small. In fact, that's how all things begin. From this planet we occupy and even our own bodies. We should approach our goals with the same idea. In my opinion, this really has nothing to do with size as much as understanding. When a project, situation or business is small it's easier to grasp. For example, what do you think would be easier? To plant a Large Oak Tree or a seed? The answer is obvious.  

I'm not saying you shouldn't have big dreams. Your dreams should be enormous because you are capable of achieving anything and the bigger the dream the more excited you'll be about achieving it. However, when we start small we start with more understanding and as we grow so does our knowledge about what we're pursuing. And remember, even people who you think are doing "Big Things" had to start somewhere and it wasn't the top.

Time is NOT Money

Most tend to think that wasted time equals wasted money but in my opinion,  there's a completely different way of looking at it. Is money important? Sure it is. Is time important? Absolutely. But the way I see it, time is much more valuable than money for two reasons. One, if you lose a dollar you can always get another dollar back. But if you lose time, it doesn't work the same way; there is no way of getting that time back. Unlike money, once it's gone, it's gone. Secondly, people are also more willing to spend their money more freely than they are to spend their time. Just look at the airline industry for example. People would rather spend ten times the money to fly somewhere instead of drive simply for the convenience of getting there quicker.

My point is, life is too valuable to waste your time not doing what you love. Because in the end, life without passion isn't really living...it's existing.

Practice What You Post

I'll admit it. My guilty pleasure is that I enjoy going online and browsing the various social networks.  I'm constantly entertained by the all of the memes that I see, especially the motivational ones, and man, there are some really good ones circulating out there. But often times I can't help but wonder just how many people actually practice what they post? In actuality, just because one copies and pastes an inspirational post to their social page doesn't mean they're really applying it to their life.

I know this because, at times, I've had to ask myself if I was guilty of doing the same thing.  Was I practicing what I post? Was I applying the messages that you read every week to my own life? 
Ideally, I'd like to say yes, but realistically, I'm sure there have been times where I could have done a better job. So that's why I've decided to revisit my posts throughout the week to ensure that I, too, am abiding by my own words. Looking inward during these moments aren't always easy, but they are necessary. The good thing  is, it's a conversation that no one else has to know about, and an opportunity to grow and become better.

You Have the Right to go Left

There are plenty of resources we can refer to that will teach us almost anything we want to know. You can learn how to do a long list of things just by watching YouTube, alone. But what if what you wanted to do didn't come with a how-to manual or video tutorial? At some point, every pioneer in every field and profession had to encounter this dilemma. From the TV in your house to the very device on which you're reading this entry. This also means that most likely, there was a time when these iconic products were rejected or dismissed. Even as I write this post I notice the copy machine in my office. It's hard to believe that there was a time when not only did people not want a copy machine, but publishers even tried to ban them because they were afraid people wouldn't buy books anymore.

My point is when your doing something truly different and original, do not expect to have a group of cheerleaders rallying behind you showing their support. In fact, it's quite the opposite. What you will have, however, are doubters, skeptics, pessimists, and resistance. Use all of it as motivation to fuel your fire to succeed. And always remind yourself that it's YOUR dream--not theirs.

The Big "O"

Hey get your mind outta the gutter. I'm talking about the other big "O".

Opportunities are all around us. In fact, I believe we have just as much opportunity as the air we breath. One of life's biggest challenges though, is trying to figure out which opportunities to embrace and which ones to ignore.  Allow me...
With so many products and new innovations available today, one would think that everyone on Earth is living the "good life". But here's the often overlooked part about opportunity--it works both ways.

Some opportunities we pass up because we perceive it as too much hard work, or because we fear disappoint or rejection. Perhaps you were told 'no' about something that matters a great deal to you.  You can look at this one of two ways: an opportunity to quit or an opportunity to try again. As most of us already know, opportunity doesn't always come knocking. So instead of sitting around waiting, why not take action by knocking on opportunity's door? The fact is, if you don't, someone will. So why not? The only thing you have to lose is an opportunity to make it happen.

M.V.P. (Most Valuable Property)

I would like to think that out of all the property a person owns in their lifetime, intellectual property would have to be the most valuable. For example, the ideas you have in your mind are worth something. They are waiting to be given life. The most fascinating thing about our ideas is their ability to outlive its creator--an idea that you bring to life today can help others years, decades and even centuries after you're gone. I often wonder what the pioneers of the aviation industry, the Wright brothers, would think if they were alive to see the jumbo jets and fighter planes we use today.

Ideas can also be inspiring.  Case in point, the smartphone. Think of all the businesses that emerged the moment a computer and phone merged as one. Entire industries and jobs have been created, solely off of inspiration from another individual's idea. So don't sell yourself short and discount the ideas you have. You never know what impact they may have on the world.

Be well.

A symbol is worth a thousand words

Symbols are amazing, and a part of our everyday lives so much that I think we often overlook the important messages they sometimes can represent.

Over the weekend I saw the yin yang symbol coming home from a family function. I've seen it a million times but on this day, for some reason it spoke loudly. Perhaps because I was a bit reluctant to go on the family trip when I first heard about it. It's not that I don't like to hang out with my family, but the workaholic in me kicked in and thought about all of the work that I would have to put off just to attend.

Needless to say, after going on the trip, I was glad I decided to go. On top of that, it gave me an opportunity to see how functional my business is outside the comforts of home, as well as indulge in spending time with loved ones that I rarely get to see.

Seeing that symbol was a reminder for me that balance is key, yet that very symbol may not represent the same thing to the next person. That's why I find them fascinating, because symbols themselves become powerful when they merge with meaning, but still give us the freedom to decide for ourselves what they each represent.

Symbols are everywhere. What will the next one say to you?

Permission Slip (Why you don't need approval)

I attended elementary school at Elizabeth Sherman in East Oakland. I remember whenever we would have to use the restroom or leave the class for any reason we had to get a permission slip. Now even though the slip was just a piece of paper, it gave me two things: authority and security.

Which brings me to today's post. As adults I think we often fall into that same idea-- the need for "permission" to pursue our dreams. The reality is, the fact that you have a dream and a clear vision of what you want to be is permission enough. The only thing holding you back is you. You don't need anyone co-signing your goals, and you certainly don't need anyone's approval. So get busy building your dream, or you'll find yourself helping someone else build theirs. Find the will to make it happen and the resolve to see it through.

Read It Again-- Why Being reminded works.

Growing up, I would think that once I read a book or took a class on a particular subject, I was all done with learning what I needed to know. My, how things have changed. With age and experience I've realized that being reminded of such things are just as important. It's been a saving-grace for me many times as rereading certain books, for example, provided new insight and sparked inspiration when I needed it most. It has also helped keep the information fresh in my mind. I'm not sure if I fall in the minority or majority when it comes to this but it's been really effective in helping me reinvent myself in many ways. 

Fearful or Fearless?

Many people think that celebrities or pro athletes don't have butterflies or aren't afraid before they perform; that the spotlight is reserved for a special select group of fearless people. I mention this because no matter who we are or what we do, we're all afraid at some point because it's part of the human experience. If you're a on top you fear falling off, if you're still climbing, you fear you'll never make it to the top. Fear escapes no one, and I'm no exception. If I follow my dream what will people say about me? Will I fail? But if I don't, will I regret it?

In this aspect, we're all the same. The difference, however, is the ability some have to overcome fear that others do not. The fear of criticism is very real, so much so that I'm willing to bet it's one of the primary reasons (if not THE primary reason) why more of us don't pursue our passion. But regardless of where you are in your life, you're going to get criticized, and everyone is going to think they have a right to judge your decisions. So for this reason, you might as well get moving and go after your dream. You'll only regret it if you choose to forget it. And like they say--don't let someone dim your light just because it's shining in their eyes.

I'm M.A.D.!

I keep a lot of little sticky notes next to my computer with quotes and phrases that help me stay focused on my goals. There's a note in particular that always jumps out at me. It reads: Are you M.A.D.? This acronym stands for "Making A Decision," and for some reason, it always moves me into action.I like this question because for me, it turns what would typically be a negative thought into a motivating message.

M.A.D. Make A Decision

Interestingly enough, many inventions and technological breakthroughs happen out of frustration and pure dissatisfaction by what the current market has to offer. For example, James Dyson, creator of the Dyson vacuum, became frustrated with the design and lack of mobility of the Hoover vacuum he owned, thus inspiring him to invent one that he felt better suited his and the consumer's needs. Likewise, this same idea can be applied not just in business but in life as well. I think it's safe to assume that we've all done this at some point in our lives, whether it was for personal, professional, health, or spiritual reasons. That's the great thing about this life we're living. If we don't like something, chances are, we can change them. That can be good and bad, and that's not to say it won't come without a sacrifice, a price, a risk, or even a little controversy. Or if you're lucky, you can get by unscathed. But either way, the important thing is that you Made A Decision. Some we'll be proud of and some we'll regret, but without them we gain no personal growth.

So now it's your turn--What about your life has you M.A.D.?