Name: David Baker
Occupation: Founder of Spins.FM & Interactive Designer at DavidBaker.TV
Website: Spins.FM / DaveBaker.TV
Twitter: @SpinsFM / @DavidBakerTV
Tell us about your business:
Spins.FM is bringing the radio request line to social media. We make it fun and easy for music fans to request songs on the radio - still the only proven way to break artists, boost sales, and increase demand for local shows. Despite the recent rise of streaming services, terrestrial FM radio still has way more listeners than Pandora, Spotify, and SiriusXM combined. We’ve been live since 2010 and recently processed our millionth fan request. Notable clients include Britney Spears, Chris Brown, Diddy, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, and Mac Miller.
DavidBaker.TV is a boutique digital agency specializing in websites, mobile apps, and digital strategy for artists and entrepreneurs. Notable clients include Interscope Records, Island / Def Jam, RocNation, Sony Music, Universal Music Group, Cash Money Records, and G.O.O.D. Music.
Are you self-employed?
Yep, since 2004.
Why did you choose the independent route?
Nothing is more valuable than having complete control of your own time. After working for a global marketing firm primarily serving a billion dollar Japanese corporation, I realized the only real difference between working for them and doing my own thing was layers of unnecessary management, extraneous meetings, misguided quarterly projections, and having the autonomy to choose how I spend my time.
What issues have you run into as an independent business owner?
A better question might be what issues haven’t I run into! If everything seems under control, you’re not going fast enough. A big part of running your own business is being able to embrace the chaos and seeing problems as opportunities.
Why Coworking?
Coworking has all the benefits of an office environment without the politics of typical coworkers. Working from home gets old fast, and being able to collaborate and share ideas with like minded people is invaluable both personally and professionally.
Why did you choose Bitmap as your coworking home base?
After 4 years in Manhattan my girlfriend and I decided to move to Williamsburg, and we couldn’t be happier. We love the neighborhood, and Bitmap is right around the corner with an amazing community of creative people doing awesome things.
