Alex Hillman ⚡️ @alexhillman@jawns.club

The more I study music marketing (esp in the last couple of years) the more I want to smush together smart music business folks with the smart product business folks I know and see what they can learn from each other.

So I guess the punchline is, 16 years in we're just getting started? 😎

I've wandered from my original point but in part because I found a better one.

Past me would have seen the emergent patterns and behaviors in our community, & found ways to do more of the good ones.

Today, I see the same patterns and see opportunities to do even better.

Feeling like we're on a track towards wholeness now.

Too early to celebrate but not too early to feel the difference and build on the wins.

Feels good.

But as big as my love for this city was (and is!) I think my view of the "whole" of Philly that I love was limited because of the people I've been around.

It wasn't wrong or bad, it just wasn't complete.

But as big as my love for this city was (and is!) I think my view of the "whole" of Philly that I love was limited because of the people I've been around.

It wasn't wrong or bad, it just wasn't complete.

I've always thought if Indy Hall as a "thing" that is created of, by, and for Philadelphia, rather than just being located here.

Thinking about something @DrSheenaHoward@twitter.com said today, "if you don't love where you're from, you can't take care of where you're from."

Straight 🔥.

Making intentional choices about who we share with (and how) is already shaping this next chapter in ways that remind me of our early days...but also SO MUCH BETTER.

It's not a do-over, it's better.

We're not playing the same game, it's just a familiar game that we get to play better because we're more prepared for the worthy challenges than if we were actually starting from scratch.

Like I said, a gift. And one we get to *share*.

Our new clubhouse is a gift in so many ways that I'm excited to share soon, but one of the biggest is the opportunity to use a "new game plus" mindset.

As we rebuild our physical center of gravity, it's like a fresh start BUT with the advantages of 15+ years of lessons learned.

Recent convos with @OpeolaBukola@twitter.com about intentionally working to make sure Black and brown folks can walk in our doors & feel not only welcome, but like they are in the right place and belong.

This goes beyond the functional and aesthetic, and straight to trust and culture.

Big question is what things are in our control that increase the odds that someone comes in and experiences 1 of 2 specific things:

- comfort because they see someone they recognize or

- comfort because they see someone like themselves

The latter is where we need the most work

What I'm thinking about most days is how we can mix these emergent patterns and behaviors with intentional ones.

A mix of direct invitations, strategic collaborations and partnerships, and thoughtful experimentation.

It's more about vibe than body count. "Lots*" of people can still be very calm and focused. A small group can be vibrant and energizing.

* Lots is super relative. Our daily attendance is still capped quite small as part of our COVID considerations.

It's more about vibe than body count. "Lots*" of people can still be very calm and focused. A small group ocan be vibrant and energizing.

* Lots is super relative. Our daily attendance is still capped quite small as part of our COVID considerations.

Some people are finding certain consistent days work well for them.

Others ride the waves of their energy and attention, or the things they are working on.

What's COOL is when those two overlap unexpectedly, and the serendipity of different people being around kicks in.

One of the most interesting things about @indyhall@twitter.com's new clubhouse is the emergent patterns and rhythms of when members come in.

Eg some rainy days are quiet, but others are busy b/c "I knew I couldn't get motivated on a day like this."

Inverse is also true with sunny days!

"there's always going to be somebody better than me, and I can always be a better version of myself" 🔥🔥🔥 - @DrSheenaHoward@twitter.com

Out of curiosity, I ran the video from this technically interview – https://technical.ly/company-culture/future-flexible-work-coworking/ – through my transcription service.

I said the word “choice” 20 times, “autonomy” 10x, and “agency” 3x.

Check out the full interview here: https://share.descript.com/view/TVLWMGr95sZ

Music and community are the most powerful forces in the world.