Meet Emanuel Dominguez

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Emanuel Dominguez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Emanuel, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

There’s no question that music is my passion and the center of my world. Ever since I was young, I always knew it would remain a part of my life, but I’d be lying if I said I ever expected it to evolve into what it has today—my purpose.

There have been several times in my life when I thought I would slowly separate myself from the world of music, not because I had any less love for it, but because it didn’t feel like I had the time to dedicate to it. There has always been something I could point to that made sense to prioritize over a life where music came first. When you graduate from college, who would question you for leaving music behind when you have a degree and are pursuing a respectable job in the corporate world? When you start a family and bring a new life into the world, who would question you for taking time away from music to focus on your family? It’s easy to let a hobby or passion slowly disappear from your life when other important things arise, but if it’s your purpose, it will always find its way back to you.

It all started when I was a kid, and my mother noticed my curiosity and excitement for musical toys. As expected, I joined the band in middle school and continued playing throughout high school. Although I explored various instruments, the saxophone was where I dedicated my time and focus. At one point, I strongly considered pursuing a career solely around playing the saxophone. However, I realized it didn’t seem like the safest financial route and chose to take a break from the band when I entered college. Just when I thought it was time to start a new chapter without music, it found its way back to me through DJing and music production.

After graduating from college and starting a career in the corporate world, I thought I would leave music behind for good. To my surprise, I managed to balance a 40-hour workweek with DJing on weekends, which eventually led me to pursue music full-time for a year and a half. In early 2024, I became a father and decided to return to the corporate world, believing I would need to step away from music once again. Despite the shifts in my weekly routine, I’ve continued to DJ on weekends while working in a corporate setting during the week and fully embracing fatherhood.

Today, it may be tough to say where I want to be five years from now, but one thing is certain: wherever I am, I want to be surrounded by music and fully engaged in fatherhood. If something is meant to be your purpose, it will always find its way back to you.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Music has always been a passion that started with a fascination for instruments and evolved into a deep interest in DJing and music production. My DJing journey began at Baylor University, where I balanced my studies with music. After graduating, I recognized the need for financial stability and started a sales career in 2016, continuing DJing as a side hustle. Juggling corporate responsibilities with my passion was challenging but manageable.

From 2016 to 2021, my commitment to music grew stronger. By 2022, I felt ready to take the leap and leave the corporate world. In October of that year, I established an LLC, released original music on major streaming platforms, and began building a sustainable business.

At the beginning of 2024, I welcomed a baby boy and chose to return to the corporate world to support my growing family. While I haven’t been able to spend as much time in the studio, I’m grateful to still DJ on weekends, allowing me to keep my passion for music alive.

As I plan ahead, I look forward to spending more time in the studio. Although my last single, “First Tattoo,” was released at the end of March 2024, it’s been exciting to see its streams and playlist adds continue to grow. I’m even more thrilled to share the new music I’ve been working on over the past few months. Stay tuned for more!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’ve always believed three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are: patience, confidence, and self-discipline. In our pursuit of self-improvement—whether in careers, fitness, or new skills—we often crave quick results. It’s easy to feel discouraged when our efforts don’t yield immediate outcomes, like long hours at work without increased sales or weeks at the gym without visible changes.

However, I’ve found that embodying patience, confidence, and self-discipline helps me overcome obstacles. Initially, starting a new goal can be exciting, but the first setback can quickly lead to feelings of regret or doubt. This can be especially challenging if we’ve made significant commitments, like quitting a stable job to pursue a passion.

While some may struggle to take the first step, the real test comes when faced with difficulties. Our instinct might be to retreat to comfort, but often, we’re closer to success than we realize. Patience allows us to maintain momentum despite delays, while self-discipline keeps us committed through tough times. By pushing through challenges, we build resilience for future obstacles.

Finally, confidence is crucial. It reminds us to believe in our capabilities and minimize distractions. With patience to stay motivated, self-discipline to persist through challenges, and confidence to recognize our progress—however small—we set ourselves up for success.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

As we navigate the challenges and hardships of life, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed at times. I can’t recall a year in my life when I didn’t experience this feeling. While being overwhelmed isn’t always negative, it’s crucial to discover effective ways to manage it. Often, we feel overwhelmed because we believe we can’t handle everything coming our way. Ironically, we tend to do it to ourselves by filling our plates with more than we can manage, leading to these feelings of stress and anxiety.

From my experience, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is vital for growth, but it’s equally important to take things one step at a time. I often emphasize that growth requires stepping beyond your comfort zone, which can lead to feelings of overwhelm. However, true growth also means absorbing and processing what you’re learning. For instance, if you want to learn a new language, dedication is key, but so is taking reasonable steps. Switching your phone’s language to Spanish or binge-watching Netflix shows in Spanish might seem effective, but starting with a language-learning app and watching shows in English with Spanish subtitles could be more beneficial. Overextending yourself can sometimes do more harm than good.

In addition to managing how much I push myself, I’ve found that engaging in relaxing activities can help alleviate feelings of overwhelm. For many, exercise is a great outlet; sweating out stress in the gym can be incredibly relieving. For me, creating music serves as a perfect distraction, allowing me to shut out everything else on my mind.

Another simple yet effective strategy is organization. We often feel overwhelmed by numerous tasks, and completing one can feel insufficient if we can’t see our progress. Making a to-do list can be surprisingly satisfying, as crossing off tasks provides a visual representation of achievement. I take it a step further by prioritizing tasks based on their importance. By getting organized, I’ve become much more efficient in both my professional and personal life. Seeing my list shrink not only gives me a sense of progress but also reduces feelings of overwhelm.

In summary, the key is to first manage any stress and anxiety contributing to your feelings of being overwhelmed. Second, find activities that help clear your mind and distract you from those thoughts. Lastly, minimize overwhelm by staying organized.

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