We recently had the chance to connect with Zach Collier and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Zach, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
As a business owner, this may sound funny, but I’m feeling called to spend money. I got into business to help my community, and my company’s express mission is to make money and then use it to employ the creators in the local Utah economy. Early on, however, I realized that until I took a risk and hired these creatives myself, nobody else would be willing to. What followed was a remarkably rewarding (and financially painful) year where I spent vigorously on supporting the artists in my community. We worked together on amazing projects, interviewing and photographing high profile artists from all around the world and welcoming them to our hometown to work with them. Taking that leap of faith opened so many doors for us as a company.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Zach Collier, and I’m the co-founder of Deseret Noise Co. We’re a full-service creative agency and publishing company based in Provo, Utah. In addition to running several music-based publications, we leverage the skills of our creative team to create social media and other advertising content for businesses.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My business partner, Alessandro Improta, believed in me before anyone else in the world did (myself included). He always encouraged me to pursue my boldest ideas. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
This is an incredibly relevant question to my current situation. Our first two years of business were the hardest two years of my life, but hands down the most rewarding.
Suffering has taught me that I’m much stronger than I thought I was. It has also granted me gratitude and perspective. Most problems in our day to day lives are really not that scary and can be easily solved with creative thinking, community, and a mindset shift. For the problems that can’t be solved – the ones that are truly existential or dangerous – my heart has softened and my eyes have been opened to the necessity of the best and brightest among us to grapple with and solve those problems.
Suffering has made me more willing and able to succor those who suffer.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
“Scale fast. Then exit.”
This has been the mentality of pretty much every business since the .com craze at the end of the 90s. It continued on with the technological revolution of the 00s. We’ve seen it time and time again: a company creates a revolutionary new product or social media platform or piece of software; spends a reckless and crazy sum of money to grow it as big as it can be; and then they sell it to a rich mega corporation and make billions.
Initially, this was a great move (or so we thought). Corporations got landmark tech. The creators got rich. The world became more efficient. Over time, we’ve seen cracks in that plan. Some tech, in the wrong hands, is used to sow division or control our perception of reality. Power becomes consolidated in the hands of a few. Entire platforms become hollow shells of what they once were or are shut down entirely (RIP Vine).
Deseret Noise Co. operates completely differently. Our motto is “Through the Millennium.” We want the things we build to stand the test of time. To last a thousand years or more. We’d much rather grow slowly and meaningfully, little by little over time, than scale overnight and die in a decade.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Honestly, I hope people remember me as an earnest, sincere guy who took big risks to make the world a more connected and kind place. And I hope they remember my baseball hats and dad jokes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://deseretnoisecompany.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/deseretnoiseco
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachcolliernoise/
Image Credits
Ivan Martinez
Clark Clifford
Shay K Photo
