Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joey Cole. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Joey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I used to be a musician, but my career came to a halt when I was presented with a contract that contained terms that were unfavorable to my future. So, I focused on my life and eventually had a daughter. She developed a deep love for concerts but the distance, hotel costs, limited tickets and scheduling conflicts made some concerts difficult for her to attend, especially since she was young and couldn’t travel alone. My daughter was a frustrated teenager who wanted to enjoy music and I was a frustrated father who wanted to find a solution. This inspired the creation of the OUTLET APP, a platform where artists can sell audio, video and live stream content such as virtual events, concerts, and performances directly to their audience. Fans and supporters worldwide can easily locate events to view on the Outlet or attend in person without interruption from ads or commercials.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I work as a Class A CDL truck driver in the transportation industry, holding hazmat and tanker endorsements. I am employed full-time with a company where I deliver CO2 to various chain restaurants, both large and small, and service their systems to ensure everything operates smoothly.

In addition to my full-time job, I run my own cleaning business part-time and frequently travel to Illinois to care for my mother.

I take great pride in supporting artists who face numerous challenges in a streaming-driven market, which often results in reduced revenue and less control over their work. As the music and entertainment industries shift towards a digital-first approach, OUTLET APP leads the way by providing creators with the necessary tools to succeed in this new landscape, allowing them to earn a living and connect with their fans on a deeper level. Our mission is to create a platform that enables artists to showcase their talents while ensuring they receive fair and timely compensation. By prioritizing Sales Over Streams, we foster an environment where artists can flourish and develop sustainable careers in the rapidly changing digital world, effectively monetizing their passion.

What sets me apart is my commitment to redefining the future of digital entertainment.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Challenges and obstacles are a given when you’re driven to pursue your goals with discipline. My journey began with the dream of creating an app, but I soon discovered just how steep the learning curve would be.

At first, I had little understanding of what it truly meant to build an app. I assumed I could simply share my idea and let the developers handle the rest. However, I quickly learned that crafting an app from scratch was similar to constructing a house. I had to specify the placement and design of every button, screen, color scheme, logos, etc. The process was far more intricate than I had anticipated. There were also distance and language barriers with the first development company I chose to work with.

Even though I faced these challenges, there was significant progress being made. I felt all the hard work was beginning to pay off when the unexpected happened: the owner faced legal troubles, and the company shut down, leaving me with an unfinished product and feeling lost.

It was a tough blow, but I refused to give up. I regrouped, found another developer, and pressed on.

Outside of the app development, life posed its own set of challenges. Balancing a full-time job, managing my part-time cleaning company, caring for my mother who lives 70 miles away, and being a dedicated father required every ounce of my energy and focus. Yet through it all, I remained committed to my vision, determined to see it come to life.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I entered this process with a certain level of expectation, believing that the domestic tech industry was top-tier, filled with skilled professionals ready to bring my vision to life. I imagined a team of experts who would take my ideas and transform them into a polished app, guided by their knowledge and creativity. However, as I navigated through the development journey, I quickly realized that much of the work was actually outsourced to foreign countries.

The people I thought I was partnering with—those I assumed were tech-savvy experts—were often intermediaries, passing my project along without the depth of knowledge or expertise I had expected. It was disheartening to discover that they didn’t possess the insight or creativity necessary to truly understand my vision. I found myself caught in a web of miscommunication, where my ideas were diluted in translation, and the end product fell short of my expectations. I also found myself having to create the wireframes and give step by step instructions on what each screen should look like and the action each button should have.

This experience forced me to unlearn my preconceived notions about the industry. I had to let go of the expectations based solely on titles and what people claimed they could do. Instead, I learned to dig deeper, asking the right questions and seeking genuine understanding. I realized that expertise isn’t just about credentials; it’s about passion, experience, and a willingness to engage with the project on a meaningful level.

Through this process, I became more discerning about whom I collaborated with, prioritizing transparency and a proven track record over impressive titles. I understood that my vision required more than just a team; it needed partners who would invest themselves in the journey as much as I did. This shift in perspective not only changed the way I approached app development but also enriched my overall understanding of the tech landscape. It taught me the value of adaptability and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges, setting me on a path to truly create something meaningful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theoutletapp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outletmobileapp/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outletmobileapp
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/outletmobileapp
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@OutletMobileApp

Image Credits

Brittany Thompson