Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nick Grzechowiak. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nick, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I truly believe my resilience comes from my experience battling cancer at just 15 years old. It was not an easy journey, but I am proud of how I handled myself during that time and how I continue to handle challenges in my life. Going through intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments at a young age was both physically and emotionally draining. I had to mature quickly and adjust to a new normal that was filled with doctor’s appointments, medications, and scans. However, I refused to let cancer define me.
Instead, I focused on my passions and what I wanted to accomplish in life. I found joy in small things, like spending time with my family and participating in music. I learned the importance of self-care, both physically and mentally, and have carried those habits with me to this day. When I finished treatment, my family moved, which forced me to start over in a new environment. While this was challenging, it allowed me to reinvent myself and push myself outside of my comfort zone.
Through it all, I have learned that resilience is not just about bouncing back from difficult times, but it’s about the ability to adapt and grow from those experiences. Cancer showed me how precious life is, and I refuse to let fear or difficult situations hold me back from living my best life.
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’m thrilled to share my story with your readers! My name is Nick Grzechowiak, but go by the moniker Nick Gunz, and I’m a passionate lover of house music. As a young adult, I discovered this unique genre of dance music that originated in Chicago and fell absolutely in love with it. I Immerse myself in the current state of the industry, but I also spend a great deal of time researching its history, ups and downs, and key players. I found myself drawn to both DJ-ing and promoting house music throughout my early 20s and performed at countless venues before putting it all aside to start a family.
However, years later, my wife encouraged me to reignite my passion for music by hosting a weekly house music podcast called “It’s All Happening Right Now”. (https://on.soundcloud.com/FqCMQ) This reawakened my love for house music, and I quickly found myself wanting more. As a result, I started hosting a live weekly radio mix show on Raindrop Radio in the UK and expanded into producing a monthly day party in Minneapolis called DayFunk. It’s an incredible labor of love and is my way of sharing my passion with others who feel the same way I do.
What sets DayFunk apart is that I made the conscious decision not to monetize the events. Instead, I wanted a free outlet that would serve as a place to share my passion with others and promote both local and international DJs in the Twin Cities. My focus has been to attract and bring international house DJs to Minneapolis, some of whom may not have come here before. I am a firm believer that music is a universal language that brings people together, and I wanted to offer a platform for like-minded individuals to come together and celebrate house music.
Upcoming DayFunk: Sunday, August 6 (Eddie Amador), Sunday, September 17 (Joe Smooth)
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
As someone who has taught themselves various skills and turned themselves into a self-contained “shop”, I believe that the three most impactful qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that helped me on my journey are: resourcefulness, resilience, and networking.
Firstly, being resourceful has been crucial in my development. Whether it be learning graphic design or repairing audio gear, I have always had to find a way to get the resources I need to learn and grow. This means finding online tutorials, watching YouTube videos, and experimenting with different techniques until I can produce something of quality. Being resourceful has also taught me to be creative in finding solutions to problems, and to think outside of the box when it comes to coming up with new ideas.
Secondly, resilience has been equally important. It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there and to pursue something that others may not understand or agree with. There have been times when I have been met with rejection or criticism, but I didn’t let that stop me from pursuing my passion. Instead, I used those experiences as fuel to work harder and learn from my mistakes. This has helped me to be more flexible and adaptable, which are essential skills to have when pursuing any new venture.
Finally, networking has been critical in my journey. From connecting with other promoters, DJs, and club owners in my local community, to using Instagram to reach out to people in different parts of the world, building relationships has been key to my success. By sharing ideas and connecting with others who have similar goals and interests, I have been able to learn from their experiences and develop my own skills and knowledge base. Networking has also allowed me to reach a wider audience and find new opportunities to grow my business.
I believe it’s crucial to be resourceful, resilient, and have a strong network. These qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge have been vital in my journey, and I am confident that they will continue to be valuable tools in any future endeavors.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that has been instrumental in my development is “This Is Marketing” by Seth Godin. As someone who works in a creative field, I was drawn to this book for its practical applications that span across industries. One of the most valuable takeaways for me was the idea of a minimally viable audience. Before beginning any creative project or campaign, it’s important to know who you’re creating it for and what they want. This approach has drastically improved the quality and effectiveness of my work.
Another concept from the book that has really stuck with me is the idea of “People like us do things like that.” Essentially, it’s all about creating a sense of community and showing people why it makes sense for them to participate or contribute. When people feel a sense of belonging, it’s easier to get them to take action. This has been incredibly helpful in my marketing and branding efforts, as I’m constantly looking for ways to connect with my audience and create a sense of community.
I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to improve their marketing or branding efforts, regardless of their industry or background.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.nickgunz.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/itsallhappeningrightnow
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgrzechowiak/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS28dh3rFlSWgf901YN7VSA
- SoundCloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/FqCMQ
