Meet Joe Burakoff

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joe Burakoff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joe below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Joe with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
My work ethic comes from my family, most notably my grandparents on my mother’s side. My grandmother grew up in the Southie Projects of Boston in a house no larger than a 2 bedroom condominium. My grandfather was one of the most respected doctors in Massachusetts. Between the two of them, there never was an excuse to not get something done.

I am the oldest grandchild of 13. Some say that’s a golden pass. When you grow up in a working-class family, you work. You set the example whether you’re told to or not.

Additionally, I have a chip on my shoulder. Maybe it’s because my parents weren’t consistantly there. I think it’s because I went to Xaverian Brothers High School – one of the top high schools in the United States. A Jesuit High School – on Scholorship. I didn’t have a choice – I was told to go. You get 1 F at Xaverian and you’re out.

Plus, I’m competative. Who isn’t?

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I took a chance and bootstrapped a Digital Media Company during COVID 2020 after moving to FLA. I learned how to make it happen after being gratefully involved in Boston’s Gag Order Network – an Internet Radio Station with an audience reach of 1.2 million and affiliations with Sirius XM, Colleges, and venues such as the House of Blues and the Palladium.

I went for it.

I always wanted to open my own business and, at the time, with COVID and trying to find myself, I said, well, let’s go. If i don’t try I’ll never know if I could have been successful.

I was the kid with the lemonade stand. The one who sold gum and pixie sticks in grade school. The honest hustler.

These days our brand, Blind Knowledge, hosts 20,000 downloads per month. We have over 24 active shows/brands. It’s not perfect. It’s far from finished. However we did just get to ROKU status, so, wooo. lol.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The Business Plan was run by an MIT professor through Dean College. When she OKed it, I went all in.

I’ve made countless errors/mistakes in the last year. I look at them as lessons learned because.. how else do you remiain positive? Don’t get me wrong, the first year we were super. Last year, well, we went through 3 Devs, I blew too much capital, and I lost focus on the business vs. the fun. It’s a business. Successful businesses make money.

This year we are working lean. Recrutiing is up. Our talent level is much better. Our website is still not up to par in my opinion. But, our mission remains: Drop knowledge.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
I go for a walk, do pushups, or anything cardio related. Between you and I, sometimes I go to my car and i SCREAM. (with the windows up). After that, I write.

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Joe Burakoff 2024

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