Meet Stephen Tyszka | Founder & CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephen Tyszka and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephen, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking is part of life. Successful artists and entrepreneurs overcome constant judgment and rejection. How? Tenacious perseverance and constant self-improvement. In 1996, I moved from the East Coast to Hollywood, CA to pursue music professionally. At 21, I was busking on Hollywood Blvd for tips by day; by night, I was sitting-in at local clubs. I was soon headlining shows on Sunset Blvd. Next came regular studio session work; I saved my earnings and took a business loan – another risk – and opened my first commercial music studio. I was working non-stop, either recording, performing, teaching, mixing or mastering music to make ends meet. The risk led to an opportunity to co-found an innovative FinTech company, Blast.com, with Walter Cruttenden (founder of Acorns, iBank of e*Trade, Roth Capital). Armed with music and tech knowledge, my next project was Music.com (led by Pharrell Williams). My current venture, Trubify, is the culmination of all my life experience. Risk led to reward. Trubify is an award-winning, disruptive music technology platform that is helping solve “starving artist syndrome”. I believe it takes risk to concentrate all your energy and passion into one vision. The greatest risk you can take is to follow your dreams. Learn more about Stephen Tyszka at Trubify.com 

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Trubify is an award-winning, disruptive music technology platform that is helping solve “starving artist syndrome”. Trubify offers artists innovative revenue streams within deep fan engagement features. In addition to tipping, ticketing, patronage, and merchandise sales within the app, Trubify has two very unique differentiators for artists: 1) Innovative AI/ML influencer marketing technology; business intelligence drives our proprietary automated matchmaking technology to link Trubify’s top brand partners with great artists, regardless of their following size. 2) Cover song licenses and royalty payments are automatically managed on behalf of all artists on Trubify; this means that (unlike YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, or Facebook) artists can finally monetize cover song performances. “Making it” in the music industry is not easy. Even after hundreds of song credits and working with countless celebrities, I was still a starving artist. Only through perseverance, determination and applying all my talents into one focus was I able to manifest my dreams. What excites me most about this venture is two-fold: First, the opportunity to create something that will help millions of people. Second, the opportunity to focus all my talents and skills in one direction. These two points bring me tremendous fulfillment of purpose. I have learned that no matter what you do, adversity will always be there; fortitude in mind and devotion of purpose must be the force that pushes you toward your goals.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For food: Sabatino’s Italian Bistro in Mission Viejo – AMAZING food, beautiful live music, and the owners treat you like family! For activity: Hiking “Top of the World” near Laguna Beach. For peace: Self-Realization Fellowship Meditation Gardens in Encinitas, CA.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to Krystal de Cent, Co-founder & Chief Brand Officer of Trubify. Krys – Your brilliant mind and dazzling design skills inspire me every day. I am forever grateful for your dedication and devotion which brought our vision to life! Other partners I’d like to recognize are: Joe Gardner, Co-founder & CEO of VentureDevs – Joe, your support means more to us than you know! VentureDevs is the best dev house we have ever worked with. Thank you for treating us like family instead of clients. Sami Khan, Co-founder & CEO of Cerberus Interactive – Sami, your expertise and knowledge of user acquisition have been invaluable to us. Thanks for being a great partner and friend! Michael Gleason, Co-founder & CEO of Blast & ATM.com – Mike, you’ve inspired me in a million ways. Thank you for always having my back; I am ever grateful to have you as a mentor and friend!

Website: Trubify.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trubify
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trubify
Twitter: https://twitter.com/trubify
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trubify
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrX2EqrjB4KxKU8OWR9Gotw

Image Credits
For Personal Photo, please use file named: StephenTyszkaHeadshot1 There are also eight additional photos of me and screenshots of my latest app IMAGE CREDITS: Christy Tyszka