Name: Brian Thurm (a.k.a “Flo”)
Current location: Harlem, NYC (and beyond)
Current Status: Hustling & Flo-ing, self-employed by my own inspiration
Way for others to contact you: Carrier Pigeon, if no answer, email flosounds@gmail.com
Briefly explain your current situation: I’ve been out of college now for 3 years. I 100% financially support myself…I exist still with college loans, I pay rent, cook my own food. I make all of my income off of [DJing] shows and selling mix tapes. I have survived through some very thin times in order to keep pushing forward with my passion for music and DJing. As of now I do quite a bit of worldwide travel to spread my music, finding that during the US recession there are other countries that are able to support the importation of my talent.
So you’re your own boss. Do you know many other 20somethings who have their own business or are their own boss? I tend to meet a lot of other ambitious and young 20 yr olds who are starting their own enterprises as well. Especially in music, fashion, and the arts. A lot of us are travelers, and I open my doors to these people when they need a place to stay in NYC. It works the other way around as well – I have open doors for myself when I am traveling to other places to play shows.
Do you find your age advantageous to making it in your business? Age is important if you believe it is important. I am teaching myself to believe that age is nothing. Age only exists because we as humans have figured out a way to calculate time. If a tree can exist to be 750years old, if 8 hours of sleeping feels like a snap of the fingers, than what is time?
That discussion will have to wait for another, longer interview! But since you’re a deejay, give us one song you think every 20-something should listen to: “beautiful” by Nneka.
Words of advice for people who are trying be self employed: Believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone knock you off your path. If you feel that destiny is calling you, then only listen to that voice. There is so much personal struggle diving into the deep oceans of self-employment, but please know that there is nothing more satisfying. DON’T EVER DOUBT YOURSELF. Everyone has doubts about their decisions (self-employed or not). There are no rules in this life, explore. Your happiness is important to the rest of the world. *
