We’re looking forward to introducing you to Justin Irby. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Justin, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time is when I am fully immersed in creating music or building a project from the ground up. It is the one time I feel completely connected to myself and not caught up in the stresses and anxieties of life. I can be an anxious person at times, and during those moments, I step out of my head and enter a flow state where everything else fades away. It feels almost like a detox from stress, a chance to detach and reset. In that space, I not only find clarity and focus, but I also reconnect with why I do what I do, which fuels my creativity and motivation in every other part of my life.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi guys, I’m Justin, a house music DJ, producer, and entrepreneur originally born and based in Phoenix. Music has always been my first passion because it allows me to fully immerse myself in creating something that can connect with people on an emotional level. I love experimenting with sounds, thinking about arrangement and energy, and shaping tracks in a way that tells a story without words. For me, creating music is both an escape and a form of expression—it’s the space where I can lose track of time, step out of my own head, and enter a flow state. I’ve always loved creating, no matter the medium, and that drive naturally carried over into entrepreneurship.
Last time we spoke, I was just starting to conceptualize Güddi, and now it has grown into both an online brand discovery platform and a curated smart vending machine business that turns everyday convenience into a meaningful experience. Each machine is handpicked with products that feel thoughtful, relevant, and inspiring, placed in modern apartments, boutique hotels, and fitness studios. What makes it unique is that every decision—from curation to placement—is intentional. I love balancing creativity, strategy, and operational detail, and seeing how all of those pieces come together to create something people actually interact with and enjoy.
Ultimately, both music and entrepreneurship stem from my love for creating and building connections with unique audiences. They are about crafting moments that engage, surprise, and move people. I’m drawn to projects that challenge me to think differently, make a tangible impact, and leave a mark that feels authentic and personal. Whether it’s a track that resonates or a curated experience that delights, I want everything I create to feel meaningful and true to who I am.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed that life had a set path and that success meant following certain boxes—getting good grades, going to college, landing a stable 9-to-5 job, getting married, having kids. I thought I had to conform to what family, society, and even friends expected of me to be seen as successful. I carried that belief for years, measuring myself against standards that weren’t mine and trying to fit into molds that never felt authentic.
Over time, I realized those boxes are arbitrary. You don’t have to live like everyone else to be successful. I’ve learned that you can create literally any life you want if you have vision, passion, and determination. You don’t have to follow anyone else’s advice or perspective—especially if the people giving it aren’t where you want to be. Success isn’t a checklist of milestones; it’s about carving a path that aligns with who you are, what you care about, and the impact you want to make.
For me, stepping outside the expectations of others has been liberating. Pursuing and building my own artist project, releasing music I love, developing entrepreneurial muscle with Güddi, and taking creative risks has taught me that fulfillment comes when you define success on your own terms. Life is bigger than the boxes people try to put you in, and the more you trust your own vision and work toward it relentlessly, the more you realize the possibilities are limitless.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the fear of other people’s opinions. Being a creative means being sensitive—you’re putting a piece of yourself out there every time you share your work, whether it’s music or a business idea. That vulnerability is part of what makes creativity powerful, but it also makes you hyper-aware of how others might judge it.
For a long time, I let that fear stop me from fully leaning into my ideas. I would second-guess myself, hold back, or try to create in a way that I thought would please others instead of trusting my own instincts. What I’ve learned is that when you let outside voices dictate your path, you dilute the very thing that makes your work unique.
I’m still learning to quiet that fear, but I’ve come to see that people’s opinions are just noise unless they align with the vision you have for yourself. The truth is, not everyone will get it, and that’s okay. The only way to really break through is to stay true to what you believe in and keep creating despite the fear.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
A cultural value I protect at all costs is family. No matter how busy life gets with music, entrepreneurship, or chasing new opportunities, my family has always been my anchor. I try to spend as much time with them as I can, even if it’s just catching up on the phone. To me, it’s about making sure they know they’re a priority, because I never want to look back one day with the regret that I didn’t do enough with them or for them.
Family gives me perspective and keeps me grounded. In the creative world, it’s easy to get caught up in ambition, comparison, and the next milestone. But when I slow down and connect with my family, I’m reminded of what really matters. They’ve shaped my values, supported me in ways big and small, and given me a sense of belonging that no achievement could replace.
Protecting that value means being intentional about connection, presence, and gratitude. It means carving out time no matter how chaotic life gets, and never letting the hustle overshadow the relationships that make it meaningful. At the end of the day, family is what sustains me—it’s the foundation I’ll never compromise on.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, the first thing I would stop doing is comparing myself to others. Especially in the music industry and as an entrepreneur, it’s so easy to look around and measure your progress against what everyone else is doing—who’s getting signed, who’s playing festivals, who’s raising funding, who’s getting recognition. That mindset can eat away at your confidence and rob you of the joy of creating. It makes you forget why you started in the first place.
Comparison has probably held me back more than anything, because it puts your focus outward instead of inward. You end up chasing someone else’s version of success instead of carving your own. If I only had 10 years left, I’d let all of that go immediately. I’d stop wasting energy on measuring myself against timelines or milestones that were never meant for me.
What I’d do instead is live in the present as much as possible. I’d focus on making the most of the time I have with the people I care about, and I’d pour myself into creating music and building projects that feel authentic. Living in the present doesn’t just make you happier—it makes your work more powerful, because you’re operating from a place of honesty rather than pressure.
At the end of the day, none of us are guaranteed time. If I had 10 years left, I’d want to spend them being fully here, enjoying the process, and creating with freedom instead of fea
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justinirby.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinirby
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/justinirby
- Other: https://www.getguddi.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
