Dave Creates a Mentorship Program for a New Generation of Musicians

When Dave, drummer of KC and the Sunshine Band, first started his career as a musician he quickly realized that there were two sides to the entertainment industry. You had to have talent, and you had to be business-savvy. “I realized that it was really more of a business than anything else. Things like taxes, payroll, and healthcare—these were things I had no idea about.” Dave started Featz of Beatz to ensure he could take control of his assets and his financial health. Once he mastered it, his next step was to mentor others. “I made a lot of mistakes, and I didn’t want the next generation to go through that. I started my organization to share everything I’ve done and to help others understand the business side of this industry.”

LEARNING AND GROWING THROUGH AN ASCENDUS LOAN

Featz of Beatz was doing well, but in order to survive the pandemic, Dave took out a loan with a credit union. “I had just gotten out of my debt when the pandemic hit. And that loan with the credit union took me through the ringer. I just had to figure out how to get back to where I was.” Dave reached out to Ascendus and received the technical assistance and capital he needed to get back on track. “I didn’t know what I was going to do to get my business together, and Ascendus really helped pull me out of a dark place. They were pretty much my savior. They helped align me to a place where I could make the right business decisions.”

Through his loan, Dave learned how to manage his credit, and he hired a team to help him create a website and enhance his social media presence. “It was the best feeling to be able to put people on a salary. I could do that because of Ascendus. Ascendus is a pivotal part of my story right now. They helped me get all my debt down, balance my debt ratio, and manage my credit. Since my loan, my credit score has already jumped up by fifteen points—that is a massive thing to me.”

HELPING FUTURE MUSICIANS BECOME FINANCIALLY HEALTHY

Today, Dave is successfully building his career, business, and mentorship program. “Through these experiences, I can serve the youth in my community. I can help them understand their finances, build their careers, and make sure that they are protected, educated, and aware. It warms my heart when I can teach others and support them in this industry.”

Dave’s business continues to prosper, and he is looking forward to growing even more. “Ascendus put me in a position where I could get back on my feet and get everything booming again. I consider them my family, and I’m so glad that they found me.”

To learn more about Dave, visit: instagram.com/davesimmons/