Danielle Gorman: Co-Founder Women Music & Tech / Executive Assistant in Legal at Paradigm
Introduce yourself to us! What do you do in the industry? Where are you
from?
My name is Danielle, I am the co-founder and facilitator for Women Music & Tech, and an
Executive Assistant in Legal and Business Affairs at Paradigm Talent Agency in the Beverly
Hills office. I was born in Scottsdale, Arizona and I moved to LA directly after graduating at
Arizona State University where I studied Business Management.
How did you get your start in the industry, and for how long have you been in the
industry?
Instagram baby!! I have been in the industry for exactly 4 years now.
Being in a business is what you’ve ever wanted to do. When did you got to know
that? Was there any specific moment where you were like “oh god, this is what I
want to do for the rest of my life”?
Music has always touched me in a unique way, it’s truly my therapy and I would easily
catch myself breaking down songs in strange ways. So, when a boyfriend introduced me
to the world of A&R and assured me I could do it in the big leagues, I knew this was
exactly what I wanted to do after graduating college. There was no official music
organization or club at ASU until a few years after I graduated, when Lindsey Yunker
spearheaded the program, in whom I am so thankful for. As a way of creating my own
college music business training program, I worked in nightlife every weekend. I took
advantage of this nightlife position to observe artist relations as well as audience
response. This profitable position enabled me to save the money I earned to make that LA
music business dream a reality.
Since you’ve been in the industry, was there anything you struggled with? (or even
still do struggle with)?
Keeping up with finances was challenging in the earlier years especially living in Los
Angeles. But establishing alternative revenue streams was a great way of positioning
myself as a multifaceted boss anyway (hair flip).
What is the best part of your job? Why?
Meeting and building with new people from all sorts of different backgrounds and
industries and learning about culture seems so fulfilling to me. I love to learn; I’d say
learning is my love language. My favorite part about my role at Paradigm is being able to
support a world-class Entertainment Attorney, who has taught me such valuable
knowledge and business charm. Also, it’s been a privilege to observe and admire super
agents like Corrie Christopher Martin, Sara Bollwinkel, and Fred Zahedinia at Paradigm
from a far.
We would like to know more about Women Music & Tech! What made you start
that?
I wanted to find ways to connect, inspire and spike the interest in women to get into the
music engineering, producing and technology industries. Also, the opportunity to host
live music showcases in Hollywood with my girls is such a fun and great networking
experience for everyone. From its launch to where we are now, WM&T is a snowball that
continues to grow. I feel very blessed to be a part of something so great!
What is your goal with Women Music & Tech?
Recently a lot of companies and brands have reached out about partnering on events and
helping them to roll out new women’s groups within their organization. This got me
thinking, how cool would it be if every single music and entertainment company could
have their very own in-house women’s movement or encouragement program? Imagine
how much synergy and power that could give women in the industry. Let’s make that a
goal!
Is there someone who you consider as your mentor in the industry? Nick Jarjour, my first boss and lifelong mentor, Erika Earl, my tech partner from the
future, Courtney Young (the plug) and all 1000 + women I met over this previous year
that inspires me and always put me on to the latest and greatest.
What advice do you have for women who want to get their start in the music
industry?
Get on LinkedIn, reach out and set up coffee dates. Plug yourself into the big Facebook
Groups like GBTRS and Music Industry – Career Networking Group. Slide in those
DMs. Never feel shy because closed mouths don’t get fed rather it is a closed destiny.
Have you ever been turned down or not taken seriously because you were a female
in the industry? What did you do when put into that position?
Omg! Absolutely, and I’ve crumbled. Work means everything to me, so getting rejected
in the workplace has hurt me more than a breakup. I am so thankful for my network
during the few tough times I had during the previous year, because they kept me up when
I truly wanted to quit. And I’m glad I didn’t.
What are some of your other hobbies? What do you do in your leisure periods?
Working out and spending time with animals. I truly do love to work at all times if possible,
but lately I have learned a lot about Hollywood history. There is so much that has gone down
I would love to know all the little stories and everything about it that has molded it into what
it is today for us to create the best possible future.
Who is your all-time favorite artist?
Gucci Mane.
What is something you can't live without?
Honestly, I am not sure… maybe YouTube.
Go-to Karaoke song?
You will never see me on the opposite side of the mic.
Tea or Coffee?
Ginger shots.
First concert you went to?
Cher with my mom.
What’s something that you always have on you?
Earphones and great listening skills.
Who is your dream artist or band to tour/work with?
Probably the producer artist that I have not created yet.
What does a typical day at work look like for you?
Every day is something different in Entertainment. I will say I get excited to start my day by
checking my LinkedIn notifications.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Honestly, I could see myself going down so many avenues. The unknown has always been an
inspiring and thrilling experience for me so time will tell. Maybe you’ll find me in another
dimension.
What do you hope to see done in the industry within the next few years?
Virtual concerts. Stronger digital media departments. More female executives. Less MeToo
movements.
Lastly, what saying do you live by?
Recently it has been, “Grow a team so strong you can’t tell who the boss is.”