Derek ‘Jus Me’ Auguste is the CEO and President of Day2Day Enterprise, mentioned in an earlier blog Making the Right Moves. Derek has been putting his ideal team together to move forward in getting Day2Day Enterprise launched and has been working on his next mix tape along with preparing to go on a ten-city tour this year. I have had the pleasure to work with Derek the last couple of weeks and see the process of putting all the pieces together to successfully build a business and see the behind the scenes of an aspiring entertainer.
I sat down with Derek to see how he handles negotiating situations. Owning a Production/Management Company there is a lot of negotiating that must take place.
How do you separate the people from the problem?
“I like to figure out what the true problem is, and will try very hard not to bring emotions into any situation,” says Derek. An example was when he overlooked using a contract after a negotiation due to a personal relationship; it posed a huge problem when it came time to get paid. “I was young and naive, just trying to get into the industry I was more concerned with doing what I loved,” says Derek.
How do you handle positional bargaining tactics?
“I prefer not to argue or debate back in forth to me that does not get either party ahead. I like to keep the underlying interest, the reason we are meeting at the for front and not loos focus of that.”
Is there a specific example of a time you were in a positional bargaining situation?
“In this industry and with the services my company offers I am often in these situations. One of my very first encounters and a hard lesson learned was with a client’s mother whom wanted all the power in the decision process. She unfortunately did not have her daughter’s best interest at heart and was more concerned with the fame. I did my very best to help the little girl and had to part ways. In some situations it is better to walk away then to waste all your energy debating over something neither party is going to back down from.”
"One example that comes to mind is Tru Da'Vinci, the first artist I signed to my company.
A year and a half I began my search for a talented singer/songwriter who I could sign under Day2Day Enterprise. Shortly after my search process began I was contacted by a very talented aspiring singer/songwriter from Georgia who had recently moved back to Jacksonville. At the very same time Da'Vinci was in search of Talent Management and Music Production Services. He initially contacted me on Facebook asking me if I would be interested in collaborating on several songs. I told him to email me some songs and or beats so I could see if I was interested in working with him. After to listening to several songs I knew I would see myself working with him in some way. I recognized potential immediately, and responded to his emails and messages with a different approach. I told him I was interested in bringing him aboard my company and potentially signing him to Day2Day Enterprise.
After several conversations I knew we could make great music and potentially make a huge presence in the entertainment industry. We then had a few business meetings and talked about what he needed help with and was looking to accomplish. As well as, what I saw my company doing for him and his career and what we expect from our Artists. We came to a mutual agreement that led to a Talent Management Deal for Tru Da'Vinci. A year and a half later we both are putting out new music for the summer of 2013. Not only am I doing what I love, I have the pleasure of helping others make dreams a reality." Derek Auguste on mutual benefits.
A year and a half I began my search for a talented singer/songwriter who I could sign under Day2Day Enterprise. Shortly after my search process began I was contacted by a very talented aspiring singer/songwriter from Georgia who had recently moved back to Jacksonville. At the very same time Da'Vinci was in search of Talent Management and Music Production Services. He initially contacted me on Facebook asking me if I would be interested in collaborating on several songs. I told him to email me some songs and or beats so I could see if I was interested in working with him. After to listening to several songs I knew I would see myself working with him in some way. I recognized potential immediately, and responded to his emails and messages with a different approach. I told him I was interested in bringing him aboard my company and potentially signing him to Day2Day Enterprise.
After several conversations I knew we could make great music and potentially make a huge presence in the entertainment industry. We then had a few business meetings and talked about what he needed help with and was looking to accomplish. As well as, what I saw my company doing for him and his career and what we expect from our Artists. We came to a mutual agreement that led to a Talent Management Deal for Tru Da'Vinci. A year and a half later we both are putting out new music for the summer of 2013. Not only am I doing what I love, I have the pleasure of helping others make dreams a reality." Derek Auguste on mutual benefits.
Thank you Derek 'Jus Me' Auguste for taking the time to speak with me.
