What happens when you realize your day job as a White Hat Information Systems security specialist working for the government isn’t as interesting as you thought it would be? If you’re like my friend Nicole Gallub you moonlight as a DJ and get paid to travel around the world. After you find out your manager is taking a huge chunk of your booking fee you fix that by creating a start-up digital booking agencies that is focused on helping artists book gigs, fill out the paperwork, and get paid.

MEET NICOLE:

Nicole Gallub is a former Information Systems specialist and current DC-renowned DJ, she used her technology background and experience in music to create PELONKEY: a solution to business problems for herself and her colleagues in the entertainment and events industries. In a nutshell, Pelonkey is an entertainment marketplace where people planning events can shop easily and transparently for entertainment options, and performers can manage, protect, promote, and organize their business. Both can find, book, and contract one another online quickly and securely.

After graduating from the University of Richmond with honors in the field of Information Systems, Nicole worked several jobs in this field for a decade, including Helpdesk with MeadWestvaco, Network Administration with SITE-Blauvelt Engineers, and then Network Security for various entities within the Federal Government. During this time, she spent my evenings pursuing my passion for music, moonlighting as a DJ, and performing for various local venues and parties within Washington, DC.

Fortunately for her, the DJ career became successful enough to leave her career in IT and pursue the dream of working full-time as a DJ/Producer, and DJ Neekola was born. DJ Neekola is not only one of Washington, DC’s favorite DJ’s, but has also been requested frequently overseas in Switzerland, Greece, France, Italy, and Spain. In collaboration with J Punch she owned a record label in 2011 called NomNom Records, bringing on producers such as Dr. Kucho to produce original tracks and remixes, in addition to other talented local producers in the metro Washington, DC area. Neekola also produced an album in collaboration with Rex Riot called “Playtime,” which sold out in the first month of production.

Although DJ Neekola’s success paved a path for international fame, Nicole directed her energy to solve key industry problems through technology and created Pelonkey.

BOOKS:

The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

-Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Intention

-Dr. Wayne Dyer

EXTRAS:

1776 incubator

https://trello.com/

CONTACT:

@DJNeekola

@Pelonkey

www.Pelonkey.com

BONUS:

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QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY:

What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.