Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Brad Banyas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Brad , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Creativity is universal, but for me, it takes root in conversations. Listening to others—understanding their lives, challenges, and passions has fueled nearly every idea and business venture I’ve pursued. As an entrepreneur, I’ve built companies around solving problems uncovered in everyday interactions. My creativity isn’t just about generating ideas; it’s about transforming insights into action and building solutions that fill gaps others may overlook.
What I’ve come to realize is that expertise isn’t always the prerequisite for innovation! Curiosity and creativity often matter more. That’s especially true in our latest endeavor, Band Groupeez, a new service designed for musicians, live venues, and fans.
The vision for Band Groupeez grew out of interviews with independent musicians who were candid about their struggles. Their stories revealed problems hidden beneath the surface, challenges the industry had normalized but never solved. It took an outsider’s perspective, informed by creativity, to spark an idea that could reshape how musicians, fans, and venues connect.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
The Spark of SaltyMF
On an abandoned beach during the height of the COVID epidemic in 2021, I had an encounter that would change everything. I hadn’t seen another person for two days—the silence was eerie, the scene almost surreal. Then, out of nowhere, a man appeared, walking along the water’s edge. Long hair, tattoos, and a rugged presence, he looked like a character straight out of a Hemingway novel. I stood up from my chair, beer in hand, and walked down to meet him. He turned out to be a great guy with an incredible life story. As we laughed and swapped stories, I told him, “You’re one salty MF’er.”
As I went back to my chair, watching him disappear down the shoreline, he turned, grinned, and shouted back: “Hey,that would make a funny t-shirt!” That was the spark. Right there on that deserted beach, the idea of honoring everyday gritty, independent people through a lifestyle brand was born. That brand became SaltyMF Enterprises, carrying the tagline: “The Attitude Wears Well.”
Building More Than a Brand
What started as a joke between strangers grew into a company I co-founded with my lifelong friend, Paul Sciandra. Suddenly, we were in the apparel business, celebrating the very spirit of independence and grit that humans embodie. But apparel wasn’t enough—we wanted to share the stories behind the people we were honoring. That drive led us to launch The SaltyMF Goat Podcast, build our own creative space called The McBastards Studio, and start interviewing entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, authors, and all kinds of remarkable people in between.
Diving into Music
It wasn’t long before we realized musicians deserved their own spotlight. That’s when we launched Salty’s Live Music, a series where artists performed two original songs and then shared their stories in an interview. We took the show on the road, covering festivals and live events, immersing ourselves in the music community. What we learned from those experiences lit a fire: independent musicians faced real struggles that the industry ignored. Out of that realization came the creation of Band Groupeez, a platform for musicians, fans, and live venues designed to solve those challenges and bring people closer together.
Where We Are Today
And so, here we are! What began as a chance beach encounter has grown into a journey through apparel, podcasting, live music, and now technology. All of it fueled not by credentials or formal expertise, but by curiosity, creativity, and a desire to honor independent people with incredible stories.
If you love music, we’d love for you to join us on Band Groupeez—a free platform for musicians, venues, and fans. But beyond that, the heart of this journey remains the same: celebrating the independent spirit, whether it’s a musician, a fighter, an artist, an athlete, or simply everyday people with extraordinary stories.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Entering the 4th Quarter
As I approach the 4th quarter of my life, I find myself looking back not at the trophies or the titles, but at the principles that carried me through the wins, the losses, and the lessons in between. Life has taught me that success isn’t about shortcuts or luck! It is about the values we hold onto when things get tough and uncertain. For me, three guiding lights stand out above the rest.
1. Genuine Interest in People
People are the greatest source of inspiration. From the stranger on the beach to the independent musician hustling for a break, my creativity and ventures have always been sparked by listening to others. Taking a real interest in people! Their struggles, their passions, their stories, This opens doors we can’t find on our own. It makes life richer and shows us that every person we meet has something to teach us.
2. Persistence with Purpose
Dreams are easy to imagine; it’s persistence that makes them real. But persistence without purpose is just motion. Purpose gives us direction, keeps us grounded when setbacks come, and reminds us why we started. Through building companies, launching creative projects, or stepping into industries I had no formal training in, it was persistence with purpose that carried me through the doubts and the detours.
3. Belief in Yourself, with the Confidence to Do It for Yourself
At the heart of everything is belief. Belief that your ideas matter. Belief that you’re capable, even when the world tells you otherwise. And perhaps most importantly, the confidence to take action for yourself rather than waiting for permission. Life has shown me that no one is coming to hand you the playbook! You write it as you go. That confidence to create your own path is what separates those who only dream from those who make their dreams real.
The Lesson of a Lifetime
So, as I play in this 4th quarter, I’m not focused on the scoreboard. I’m focused on how I keep showing up curious about people, persistent with purpose, and confident enough to keep betting on myself.
Because in the end, it’s not about how long the game lasts, but how much heart you put into every play.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I love this question.
To my mother, Sarah Louise Banyas, who loved me unconditionally. She woke me each morning with a kiss for as long as I can remember, always made sure we were fed, and stood by me in every moment of life. A nurturing yet strong woman, she taught me the meaning of sacrifice and the importance of putting family first. I will forever be indebted to her love and her unwavering commitment to her children.
To my father, Michael Banyas, who believed in people even when they didn’t believe in themselves. He was the man who taught me how to live! My father, mentor, friend, and later in life, my business partner. The toughest and most honest man I have ever known.
Later in life, I learned I was adopted, which made the presence of these two angelic souls in my life even more profound. What they passed on to me was the gift of selflessness, the power of love, and the comfort of support that never wavered.
I am the person I am today because of Michael and Louise Banyas. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you, Mom and Dad.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bandgroupeez.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltymf_goat/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbanyas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saltymf
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/4fzzgONqfNYCS9k06vsuws
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