We had the good fortune of connecting with Dion Dupree and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dion, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought of me starting my own business came from the reality check I had while working for Allegheny County and realizing the concept of the “American Dream”, was a falsehood. Growing up, my mother prepared me to join the American Workforce and I was fortunate to get a job working for Juvenile Court at the age of 22. Based off my goals and lifestyle dreams, I realized that working one job wasn’t going to afford me the ability to take care of my family the way I wanted, so I got another job working for the Pittsburgh Public School District. Fast forward 15 years later, I started realizing that I was making the most money they were willing to pay me and I wasn’t interested in career ladder movements that would only land me in the same boat. So, I started exploring my love for music and how I could develop a business behind it. I always had the spirit of relying on myself and realized I was giving my best attributes to companies that wasn’t going to compensate me a dime more yet continue to demand my best efforts. I decided to bet on myself, utilizing my passions, God given attributes, training’s and insight into the landscape of the city to develop Grind Mode Management LLC.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started Grind Mode Management LLC in 2012 as a management service for DJ’s. DJ Nick Nice was one of Pittsburgh’s most popular DJ’s and appointed me Vice President of his production company, Nick Nice Productions. Through relationships, networking and consistent good business practices, Grind Mode Management LLC evolved into a multi-tiered entity providing marketing, branding, advertising and distribution services for Independent Recording Artists and Record Labels. Through our strategic partnerships with Universal Music Group, Sony/Orchard through WhoMag Distribution and Media Famous Music, we internally developed the infrastructure needed to help creatives gain exposure for their content. What sets us apart, is that we also utilize the same relationships to be able to help brand, market and advertise businesses needing to gain exposure for their services. We are also one of the only companies in the country that has major label distribution through 2 of the “BIG THREE” distributors of music in America. I am most proud and excited about being able to develop a nationwide network that is poised and position to execute the label services we provide that affords me the luxury of being able to confidently speak on the abilities of our company. It definitely was not easy to evolve into the company we are now. It took hard work, high integrity, ethics and consistency to develop and sustain the multiple companies under the Grind Mode Management LLC umbrella. Grind Mode Radio LIVE was developed as an online radio platform geared to empower music enthusiast and provide an opportunity for DJ’s and Artists to have a tangible platform to gain further exposure for their art. Grind Mode Music Worldwide is the global music distribution entity which provides mainstream global distribution and label services for unsigned recording artists wishing to maintain ownership over their master recordings and copyrighted material. Grind Mode Business Solutions evolved as a result of our advertising and branding abilities being on display from our brand development for the artists and labels we were working with. It was not easy to get to this point. I had to overcome financial troubles but not having the funding or access to the capital needed to better enhance our services. I also had challenges with accessing capital needed to market and advertise my own company. One of the ways I was able to overcome these challenges was continuing to elevate the presence of our clients and having success as the driving force behind their music and brands. I was also able to bring on like minded individuals that was able to see my vision and contribute to the efforts of the company. These challenges afforded the ability to have many lessons learned along the way. I have this saying, “There’s no such things as LOSSES, when those L’s were actually LESSONS LEARNED”. During this process, I’ve learned very valuable realities like everyone that’s with you, is not for you. I’ve also learned to navigate the treacherous wilderness that the vultures and snakes of the business breeds in. It’s sad to know that there are people out here scamming these artists because they know that the artist is desperate to achieve their goals. Seeing the impact of a scammers dream on an artist is heartbreaking and I learned that you have to be a high integral person of character in order to value the dream of others and there are a lot of people out here who only care about what someone is willing to put in their pocket in the pursuant of their dreams. I really want the world to know that there is a company that exists to be able to provide the resources needed for them to sustain a career in music and that the company functions on high moral and integrity business practices. My personal story is still being written as the success of my company grows. You can follow our journey on Instagram at @grind_mode412.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day 1. Upon arrival, we are going to make sure you stay at one of Pittsburgh’s quality hotels and I would tell them to stay at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh. After check in, we are immediately going to get a bite to eat at Back to the Foodure on Pittsburgh’s Southside. We are then going to visit the Grind Mode Multi-media Productions Facility that houses our radio station, Grind Mode Radio LIVE, our photography/film studio, podcast room and recording studio. After we leave there, we will probably go check out the views of city by going to Mt. Washington and riding the Incline.

Day 2. We will take a tour of the city visiting some of the iconic areas like Downtown Pittsburgh, The Strip District, The Southside, Lawrenceville and The East End. Once we finish sightseeing the inner city, we would stop at EON Pgh for a good night of great food and music.

Day 3. I would show some of the fine dining experiences the city has to offer. We would do brunch at the Grand Concourse in Station Square and spend some time afterwards working up the appetite by going over for some sporting activities such as bike riding, hitting a gym or rec center. We would then go to dinner at Ruth Chris Steakhouse in Downtown Pittsburgh and cap the night off at Rivers Casino for some live entertainment, drinks and hopefully a come-up on the tables.

Day 4. We would hit one of our major studios, Tonic and check out the Leauge of Extraordinary Gentleman Productions for a dope listening session. We would then have to hit 24pgh for some more great food and live entertainment. We would have to live the Steelers experience by watching a Steeler’s game live or at a sports bar like The Galaxy in Homewood. We would cap the night off by partying with my man Hawk D at the all new Level 2.

Day 5…….You get the full Life In Grind Mode Experience, We would see full production by Her Vision Media’s production of my behind the scenes docuseries, “Life In Grind Mode”, which showcases the work I do behind the scenes. We would eat some soulfood at Showcase in Homewood then cap the night off at Soldi in Homestead.

By Day 6, you will understand why the company is called Grind Mode and be ready to get back to your regularly scheduled program.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out Kasey Hicks (Kool Kase) of KKMNP for referring me for the interview. I would also like to shout out my mentors, DJ Nick Nice and Domingo of Media Famous Music Group/That’s Hip Hop for their continued support and mentor-ship.

Website: www.grindmodemusic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grind_mode412/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/grindmodeLIVE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grindmodemusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/GrindModeMusicWorldwide

Image Credits
Her Vision Media AxnFgr Visuals

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