Jackie Dalius is the Founder and CEO of MuzicSwipe, a music discovery app that focuses on rising artists, a platform to be discovered, and fans a way to discover new music. She obtained her bachelor's degree in public relations at the University of Southern California. Previously, Jackie was the Founder of WECREW, a public relations company, where she worked with rising music artists, which inspired her to create MuzicSwipe. 

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I was always drawn to the entertainment industry: music, film, and all things behind the scenes. During my freshman year of college, I was majoring in film and working as a co-creator for an entertainment radio show, Behind The Mic. That experience opened my eyes to how passionate I was about the entertainment industry and working with talented individuals. I am grateful for all the incredible skills I learned during my time at the University of Southern California and the many opportunities, like my Social Media and Public Relations Internship at MAXIM, Inc.

What inspired you to start your business?

My passion for music and discovering new artists has always been a big part of my life. Early on, I realized that there are amazing platforms for established artists, but not for rising artists. One of my goals for MuzicSwipe is to be a part of the solution and give rising artists a way to be discovered and connect with fans. 

Where is your business based?

MuzicSwipe is based in Miami. We have an office in Wynwood and are quickly expanding! 

How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?

I came up with the idea of MuzicSwipe in 2019 after seeing firsthand that rising artists weren’t getting the exposure they deserved. I met with people in the industry and they also felt the same way so I knew that I had something special in the making. From there I hit the ground running, and created the idea of a music discovery app, which is now known today as MuzicSwipe. 

What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?

One of the most effective ways for raising awareness is hosting experiential events and creating exciting content. Our company has put on numerous events and activations with different artists. MuzicSwipe has been featured by many media outlets including Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, E! News, Extra TV, Medium.com, and more.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges is getting a lot of no’s. As a startup company, people have had their hesitations. If someone says no we always find a way to turn it into a yes! We are a dedicated and hardworking team. 

How do you stay focused?

Working in the music and tech industry, every day is so different and comes with its own unique set of challenges. I always strive to look at the big picture when discussing upcoming projects. Staying organized is key! My team is also great at helping me stay organized and get things accomplished! 

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

While there are many music streaming platforms, no other platform delivers the experience that MuzicSwipe provides to artists and music fans. There are endless amounts of music being released every day and music fans looking to discover new artists. MuzicSwipe helps to filter and curate music to the fan’s tastes. 

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

Utilizing all social media outlets and encouraging user-generated content has been the most effective marketing strategies for MuzicSwipe. Social media is a huge part of everyone's lives and our team works each and every day to create fun, engaging, and educational content. Positive word of mouth is powerful and everyone leaves MuzicSwipe events feeling energized and empowered, which has also helped us grow! 

 What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

My advice to aspiring and new entrepreneurs is that open communication is key to running a successful business. Transparency between team members will allow for a more creative environment. This allows the space for people in the room to be heard as well as voice different opinions. Having room for diverse opinions and ideas allows for innovation to flourish. 

 What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

My favorite app is Instagram! I love seeing what my friends and favorite artists are doing. One of my favorite blogs to follow is Create and Cultivate. I love the content they create and can’t wait to attend their event next month! 

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

Some of my favorite business tools are Outlook, Slack, and Zoho. It helps our team stay organized and communicate efficiently. 

Who is your business role model? Why?

My greatest role model is my dad. Growing up, I saw how driven and passionate he was in his career. He always encouraged me to chase my dreams and that with hard work I can accomplish anything.  

 How do you balance work and life?

Balancing work and life is something we all struggle with. For me, finding the balance as an entrepreneur is giving 100% to my team, but also taking time for myself. Music has always been an escape for me, so work does bring me so much joy. 

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I try to maintain a good work-life balance! One of the ways that I decompress is through cycling classes. Taking cycling classes on my Peloton bike is a regular part of my weekly routine. I love waking up in the morning and getting a great workout in before heading to the office.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

MuzicSwipe officially launched BETA on January 31, 2022, and in the next six months, I hope to see it grow into being people's go-to platform to discover new music. Our goal is to expand every MuzicSwipe artist’s reach as well as have listeners discover their new favorite artists. We have a campaign for the #First5K artists to get integrated into the app and hope to keep expanding.

We also plan to create more exciting events like the one we had last month. In January, we hosted an amazing event at the Nobu Hotel in Miami Beach. We created content and had a listening party with Tory Lanez, Fetty Wap, Monty, Destiny Rogers, and so many more talented artists. 

How can our readers connect with you?

You can connect with me on Instagram at @jackiesofetch and keep up with MuzicSwipe on all our social media platforms. 

Instagram: @jackiesofetch

Instagram: @muzicswipe

Twitter: @muzicswipe

TikTok: @muzicswipe

Facebook: MuzicSwipeYouTube: MuzicSwipe