We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chad Hadersbeck. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chad below.
Hi Chad, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
I can’t say that I’ve ever fully overcome it. There are still plenty of moments of doubt. Second guessing. Wanting to give up. Thinking someone else could do it better. Or differently. Or figure out what you couldn’t or haven’t yet. But there are two quotes that inspire me and that I think of often in times of doubt.
When I second guess my ability or even right to invent something, I think about Steve Jobs who said:
<i>”Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.”
</i>
And in a similar vein but with a more universal application, I have always loved a quote from “The Edge,” a cheesy 90s movie with Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin. When debating whether or not they could kill the grizzly bear that hunts them in the Alaskan wilderness, Anthony Hopkins’ character says:
<i>”What one man can do, another can do.”
</i>
And while these are somewhat obscure and dated quotes (one more than the other), they help to give me confidence that I can figure anything out. That I’m not an imposter. That I am as capable as anyone else and through hard work and dedication, I can achieve the same success as those before me.
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?
I’ve spent my career in advertising and marketing. I like to think of it as helping people. I always found it gratifying to help my clients achieve their goals. I enjoyed earning someone’s trust and developing a relationship that benefits each person both personally and professionally. That could probably be said about a variety of industries or careers. Advertising allowed me to learn about many different companies, products, initiatives and businesses. It really prepared me to start my own business and fit my personality of being an aspiring polymath.
I do consulting in advertising, marketing, business development, research, behavior change and sales. Even in music: I like to help fellow musicians record demos. If you want to chat about any of those things, please reach out. I love to meet new people and if I can’t help, I most often know who can.
In general, I identify as a creator. Whether it’s writing music, prose, visual arts or creating solutions to a problem; I just love to make things. And I don’t like putting it in a specific box. My personality just doesn’t accommodate doing the same thing over and over. My main outlets, aside from my patented invention, Mic Trainer, are my indie rock band, Goodnight Freeman, and my solo acoustic project, Cedars Beck.
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?
I’d like to focus on three qualities that rise to the top for me.
<b>Confidence</b>
I read and listen to a lot of biographies or autobiographies and a common thread I’ve found in successful stories is their willingness to bet on themselves. Their opportunity to succeed often comes at a time when others are doubting their actions or thoughts. Instead of folding or taking the less risky path, they double down and recommit to their own path. They have a confidence in their capabilities that inspires me to do the same.
As the afore mentioned quotes might have revealed, I’m very big on the notion that you can do what others can do. Your knowledge or skills may not be the same but if you can cultivate the qualities of success, then you can set yourself on a new path. You can direct yourself to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to complete a task or reach a goal.
To me, that really starts with confidence. You can do more than you give yourself credit for so go ahead, take that risk.
<b>Curiosity
</b>
Since childhood, I’ve always been curious about how and why things work. I was never satisfied with the “just because” type of answer. I needed the backup, the proof, before I could accept that a course of action was appropriate. And while that child-like curiosity may wane with age for some, mine never did.
As an adult, it has been a quality that has helped me in both my personal and professional life. It’s driven me to learn about music editing or writing or photography. It’s driven me to learn about clients’ or employers’ businesses. It’s allowed me to understand problems more holistically to arrive at better solutions.
I’ll give an example. I often asked, “why don’t they just make something that attaches to the microphone so I know where it is without touching it?” I knew that proper mic technique was important but I struggled to maintain good position. I closed my eyes a lot on stage to remember lyrics and looked down at my guitar or pedals. So I touched the mic to my chin so I’d physically know where it was without looking. “Did other people have this problem? Is there a solution out there?” After finding no answers, I was inspired to create my patented invention, Mic Trainer.
<b>Perseverance</b>
Life in general is filled with strikes and gutters. Ups and downs. You can’t have one without the other. In the world of entrepreneurship, you must be ready for some very large swings between the good times and the bad. And trust me, there will be bad times. You have to be willing to push through to find out what’s on the other side of your current obstacle.
It’s not easy. There have been many times I’ve been tempted to call it quits with Mic Trainer. Sales were too slow or I received a “no” that I thought would be a “yes.” It would feel like the world figured out I was just an imposter trying to start a business and had soundly rejected my product. But then something would happen. I’d hear from a customer who would tell me about how Mic Trainer solved their problem or I’d get into a retailer I once thought impossible. And just like that, I’d be filled with energy and renewed vigor that I could indeed accomplish what I set out to do.
The lulls still happen. They’re inevitable. But I’ve become better at both recognizing them and knowing how to guide myself through them to the also inevitable upswing.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m glad you asked! Yes! I’m not the most avid content creator so am always in search of creators to do video reviews of my product or for more performers to use it onstage. Specifically:
<b>Vocal and Performance Coaches
</b>
Those who teach people how to sing, how to use a mic, or how to perform with a microphone. Mic technique is not talked about enough in any of the content I find. I’d love to connect with them to help develop a method for including mic training in their teaching.
<b>Singer Songwriters
</b>
I made Mic Trainer for myself as I often ate the mic when I was singing and playing guitar. I’d close my eyes to remember my lyrics or I’d look at my guitar. Mic Trainer helped me to keep a good position while I was doing those things. I’d love to send out some free demos to see and hear how it helps others in that space.
<b>School of Rock
</b>
I’ve always loved their business model and envied the youth that are in their programs. Teaching youth (and adults) to be a rock star? Sign me up! Mic Trainer would be perfect in that setting and fit seamlessly into their patented education program, the School of Rock Method.
<b>House of Worship Sound Engineers
</b>
A large portion of my customers are from Houses of Worship. It’s estimated that more than 30% of musical instrument sales go to Houses of Worship, so that’s no surprise. But, I’ve had difficulty finding content creators in that area. If that sounds like you, please reach out.
For anyone interested in connecting, you can find me through my website, mictrainer.com, LinkedIn or social media. I’m not hard to find.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mictrainer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mic_trainer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mictrainer
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadhadersbeck/
- Twitter: https://x.com/mic_trainer
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mic_trainer
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mictrainer
