Employee Spotlight: Nicc, Co-Founder and CEO
Been with Music Health since day #1
Tell us about yourself and your journey to Music Health
In 2019 I started working on a personal music intervention project to help my family. Shortly after I was asked to submit my idea to a national innovation challenge in Australia. I won and received funding from the government to validate the idea.
Despite the global pandemic we were able to do the research which showed clear positive results. I shared all of this with my friend Stephen Hunt and after many conversations back and forth we decided we wanted to turn this technology into a business that could help millions of people around the world. Steve and I created a company in November 2020 and Music Health was born.
What made me start Music Health
I’ve been a creator for as long as I can remember. I like spending my time on things I’m passionate about and I’m most passionate about music and empowering others, so I made it my career. Initially I started as a PRO DJ when I was 16, so that I could empower people through my music. I was extremely fortunate to travel the world and become a resident DJ at the (then) most famous club in the world.
I then discovered Musicology to understand what defines our music taste and how it impacts our body and brain. I then wanted to apply all this knowledge to music technology and started working on machine learning algorithms and apps.
It’s been my personal mission for the last two decades to empower people through music and now with Music Health it feels like all the stars have aligned.
What does your regular day at Music Health look like?
I generally wake up around 5.30AM and either do some exercise or jump straight into emails depending on the amount of meetings booked into my schedule. I like to get the majority of emails out of the way before the rest of the team switches on, so I have more time to support them where needed. When I don’t have time for exercise in the AM, I make sure to find time in the afternoon.
As CEO of an early stage startup there is a lot of jumping between smaller tasks. My co-founder and I do a pretty good job at dividing the larger tasks and supporting each other on the smaller ones where needed.
I generally focus 70% of my time on product, research and investors. 10% of admin and I try to dedicate at least 20% of my time to critical and strategic thinking to stay five steps ahead.
If you could take one album, and one thing with you on a deserted island, what would it be?
Sunscreen is a must! Despite the fact I grew up on an Island in the mediterranean sea, I still sizzle in the sun. Give me that factor 50!
Asking a musicologist and DJ about one album is anxiety inducing. Given the situation, I’d say the 1984 “Best of Aretha Franklin” album. It has all her hits I love and plenty of energetic music to get me through a day of coconut breaking, water fetching and fire making.
What are you most proud of so far while working at Music Health?
It’s amazing to turn an idea into a product and then into a business! I work with great people and believe we can make a tremendous impact on the world and that makes me immensely proud every single day!
What do you find most challenging about your role?
I’ll share two.
Lazy thinking - when people ask questions where they could easily come to the right conclusion themselves but have not bothered to take the time to think it through.
Firing people that I think are good humans.
What is your best memory while working at Music Health?
As cliche as it might sound - seeing our team do great things is an ongoing “best” memory
What is your favourite Music Health ‘practice’?
It’s definitely Radical Candor. It’s something often understood and misused, but when applied correctly I think it's the single most powerful communication tool in any team.
Lastly, what would you say for someone who is thinking about applying to Music Health?
Being part of a startup sounds fun - but it’s hard work! Be sure you know why you want to be involved in a company that is still establishing itself (because I will ask).
If your number one motivation is doing work you’re passionate about and Music Health ticks that box, you should apply. I care less about a resume or job title and much more about passion, empathy and eagerness to learn.
