Jennifer Cochrane’s Top 10 Tips on How to Get Ahead in The Music Business
The dance music stalwart shares her advice on how you too can find success in the electronic music industry.
In the fourth interview of this series, which shares insights from successful music business professionals to help you in your career, we’re honoured to be joined by Jennifer Cochrane.
If you work in the electronic music industry then chances are you know Jenni. To say she’s been ‘prolific’ is to massively undersell a career which has spanned numerous countries and clublands biggest brands. Having worked her way up through the ranks, from an Ibiza PR to dance music thoroughbreds like Renaissance, Ministry of Sound and AEI Media, Cochrane has turned her considerable talents to caring for the wellbeing, of the community she helped to create, with her Getahead and Work Inspired initiatives.
Ever-generous with her time, energy and thought, Cochrane’s spirit embodies all that is positive about the electronic music industry. If you’re keen to understand how to work your way up in the business, from humblest of positions to the highest heights, then this piece is just for you.
Name: Jennifer Cochrane
Nationality: British
Current role: CEO / Business Owner
Company: Getahead & Work Inspired
Music Industry Sector: Past — Events. Present — Mental Health & Wellbeing — Support and Consultancy
Past roles: Events Manager at Renaissance, Director of Tours & Events at Ministry of Sound, Director of Tours & Events at AEI Group, Director of Culture & Partnerships at AEI Group
Years in the biz: 25
1. How did you start work in the music business?
When I finished high school I went to Ibiza early June with my girlfriends for a 2 week holiday- and came home in September! I ended up staying to work the season having been offered a job selling tickets at Café Mambo, then going onto do PR for Renaissance at Pacha, which back then was one of the biggest nights on the island. I very quickly caught the bug and there was no going back! I went back every summer throughout university, each year gaining more experience and climbing the ladder until I ended up running the club night and working with Renaissance back home after I graduated. I knew my future was to work in the music industry and not fashion which I had studied at University.
2. How do you define success?
Being happy and having a purpose. Having great friends and my family around me keeps me happy and grounded, my work now has a strong purpose helping others so using my own lived experiences (good and bad) from 20+ years in the music industry I feel like I’m well equipped to help others who may be struggling. If I can help even 1 person through the work we do, then I’ve achieved a level of success I never thought I could.
3. What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
Building and maintaining strong relationships with people at all levels, and having a good work ethic (and being nice!!). I learned very quickly that you have to cut through all the bullshit and learn who to trust, there are a lot of people out there who will take advantage of you so you so it’s important to keep the good ones close to you and look after one another at all times. Work hard and treat others as you wish to be treated yourself- it’s a simple formula for happiness and success!
If I can help even 1 person through the work we do, then I’ve achieved a level of success I never thought I could.
4. What was the hardest decision you ever had to make?
Stepping away from full-time employment to take the entrepreneurial leap and run my own business at the age of 41. Until I launched Getahead, I never thought I’d ever take the risk and move away from that safety blanket of a monthly salary and full team infrastructure, but as time progressed it was the best decision and the right move for myself and my brilliant team to grow the business and take it in the right direction. Scary as it was at the time- I’ve never looked back.
5. What is your ‘why’? (your life’s purpose / why do you do what you do?)
Working with people to achieve their full potential, whether that be with their mental & physical health or their personal and professional development, both in and out of the workplace. Everything we do with Getahead and Work Inspired is designed with one thing in mind, to help people avoid burnout and learn to thrive in their everyday life and at work.
I love what I do as I can help to make a positive change to people’s lives, from signposting them in their moment of need, to working closely with them to help them on their wellbeing journey. From being a mum to supporting and nurturing my team, to supporting our clients and partners- my ‘why’ is looking after people, and I love it.
6. If you could start all over again, what would you do differently and why?
I don’t think I’d necessarily change anything, I feel incredibly lucky and blessed that I’ve had the opportunities I have since a very young age. I’ve been able to travel the world doing a job I absolutely love and meeting some amazing people on my journey, so I don’t really have any regrets in that respect. Leaving the music industry events world and moving into wellbeing came at the right time in my life for me, I became a mum and wanted to slow down my pace of life- the globetrotting party queen had to hang up her disco pants at some point!
All joking aside, as I got older my desire to help people lead me to what I do now, still organising great events where people can dance, network and have fun, but with a positive purpose instead of just getting wasted! The fundamental reason for creating the mental health and wellbeing initiatives we do it is to offer much-needed help, support, guidance and direction to people but in a fun, accessible and inspiring way via our community of incredible experts — and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
7. What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Launching Getahead in 2018 — via the 24 hour festival and debut album (which went to #1) we created a fresh new mental health & wellbeing initiative which was credible, accessible and most of all challenged the stigma of mental health in a fun and engaging way, which was different to existing events and conferences. It’s since allowed us to grow an amazing community of partners, wellbeing experts and clients and launch a wellbeing consultancy business- none of which I ever thought would be possible a few years ago.
work hard and be nice to people, and if you are talented there’s no reason why you can’t thrive and go a long way in the industry.
8. Describe your morning routine?
I get up around 7/7:30 (my 4 year old is generally my alarm clock so time is very much dependent on her!!)… I have a coffee, read the news, and make breakfast for the family- I love cooking so this is my way to relax into the day even if it’s just toast or porridge. I try to exercise in the morning, at least 3 times a week- yoga or a spot of Joe Wicks if I can! I aim so start work by 9am latest unless I’m out at meetings. I used to be useless in the mornings, I was a real night owl- but starting the day well now really helps boost my productivity and gives me far more energy.
9. How do you prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed?
I generally put a lot of pressure on myself in both my personal and professional life, so my biggest challenge is not setting myself up for failure by tasking myself with an unrealistic ‘to do’ list. I work from home so it’s important to remember to take breaks and not become a keyboard warrior from 9am to 6pm (something I used to do a lot!). I write myself a daily ‘to do’ list and set myself 3 ‘goals’ per day, then if I achieve them I can feel content instead of overwhelmed, and move onto the next 3.
I’m in the thick of running 2 new businesses so it’s very easy to let it all get on top, but I work hard to stay on top of things. I set myself boundaries and use simple coping mechanisms including breaks and walks, breathing and making sure I have plenty of human interaction through the day whether it be in-person meetings, Zoom or just a chin wag on the old fashioned phone!
10. What piece of advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?
Believe in yourself more. I’ve always had a bit of imposter syndrome which I think started at a young age - it’s hard to wrap your head around having a successful career in such a sought after competitive industry at such a young age (especially as a young female at that time), so I probably lacked the confidence in my ability to one day be a business leader.
(Oh, and drink less!)
Bonus tip — anything you’d like to add?
Not really, other than work hard and be nice to people, and if you are talented there’s no reason why you can’t thrive and go a long way in the industry.
My warmest thanks to Jennifer Cochrane for taking the time to give this interview.
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