What is the connection between live music and entrepreneurship? The Deming Centers’ recent Startups and Sandwiches event marked a unique collaboration between the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurship Center for Music at the University of Colorado Boulder. The session brought together student entrepreneurs from various areas of campus and was a celebration of innovation, creativity and interdisciplinary learning.
The event was held at the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship and featured live performances by student musicians who are also entrepreneurs. Graeme Appel (trumpet), Nathan Burak (drums) and Maya Napolillo (bass guitar) and their amazing musicianship expressed the importance of listening while playing their wonderful music. This provided a dynamic backdrop for the afternoon talk given by Visda Carson, Professor at Leeds School of Business, and Marilyn Brock, Professor at the College of Music.
Her talk, “Listen Your Way to the Top,” focused on the importance of active listening and how it can be used as a skill in business and entrepreneurial ventures. Carson emphasized that listening is not just a soft skill, but a powerful tool for leadership, decision-making and driving innovation. Her insights resonated with the audience, which consisted of students, faculty and community members interested in entrepreneurship, whether through business or music.
A harmonious mix of business and music
This collaboration was not just a one-off event, but part of a broader effort by both centers to bridge the gap between business and the arts, recognizing that entrepreneurship can thrive in any discipline. The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship is known for its commitment to fostering innovation and providing resources for aspiring entrepreneurs at CU Boulder. Likewise, the Entrepreneurship Center for Music is dedicated to providing musicians with the entrepreneurial skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive environment, where artistic talent alone is no longer enough.
The live music aspect of this event was a real highlight, showcasing student entrepreneurs who are not only musicians but also business-minded innovators. Combining performance and business conversation, the event demonstrated how listening skills and leadership can work together to produce impactful results. Together, these two centers aim to create an ecosystem where students can learn, create, and bring their ideas into the world, regardless of their academic focus. This collaborative effort highlights the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in education, particularly in areas such as entrepreneurship, where diverse perspectives often lead to groundbreaking innovations.
Startups and Sandwiches is an important initiative that continues to grow and provides an informal platform for students to network, exchange ideas and learn from experts from various industries. It encourages students of all majors to think outside the box and think about how entrepreneurial skills can be applied to their passions, whether in music, science, technology or beyond.
The collaboration between the Deming Center and the Entrepreneurship Center for Music during this event demonstrates CU Boulder’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial talent across disciplines. By bringing together the worlds of business and music, they provide a space for students to learn from each other, innovate, and turn their creative ideas into viable ventures. Entrepreneurship is not limited to traditional sectors of the economy, but is a way of thinking that can be applied to all areas of life.