You may already be familiar with Josh Herman as the longtime manager of production duo DVBBS. What you may not know is that Herman launched his ultra-successful music career from the dorm room of a small Canadian University. So, just how did Josh Herman do it? Here’s the story behind Josh’s success and some tips on how you can achieve the same thing.

Success from an early age

Josh Herman was born and raised in Canada by a musical family – his dad was Bon Jovi’s agent! He attended Dalhousie University on the east coast of Canada, where he studied Business Management. While at Dalhousie, he began booking artists and promoting music venues and shows. During this time, he worked with renowned artists like Steve Aoki, LMFAO, deadmau5, Avicii, Of Montreal, and Zeds Dead.

Since his graduation in 2011, Josh has gone on to have a thriving career in the music industry. In 2012, he worked as a Live Nation Tour Rep, traveling all over North America with some of the most celebrated pop artists in the world. Later that same year, he moved into music management with the creation of his own management company, STRVCTVRE.

Josh has worked closely with DJ duo DVBBS since the launch of STRVCTVRE. Together, they’ve toured the world, released several platinum singles, and received nominations for a range of notable awards. In 2015, Josh launched Kanary Music, DVBBS’ record label. In 2017, he opened Liar Liar, a nightclub in Toronto, and in 2019 he opened an upscale cocktail lounge called Daisy.

How to build a thriving career from nothing

Josh Herman was lucky enough to find success while still at university. Building a successful career in a competitive industry while studying isn’t easy. But Josh Herman’s story can teach you a few lessons about how to maximize your potential and thrive in your career.

1. Nurture your reputation

In most industries, your reputation will precede you. Having an untarnished reputation is crucial to success. Always strive to make a good impression, always go above and beyond, and always be good to work with.

Apply this advice to every single work-related situation. Aim to impress everyone you meet on the job. You never know – that intern you chat within reception might go on to be someone worth knowing.

2. Do something you are passionate about

To be extraordinary requires a huge amount of hard work and determination. If you want to rise to the top of your chosen industry, you’ll need to work tirelessly to stand out from the crowd. It is crucial that you are passionate about your chosen career.

Without a burning passion for fueling the flame, it’s impossible to find the drive required to excel. People who truly care about their work have an infectious quality. Others want to work with them and be a part of what seems to be something special.

Josh has been passionate about music since he was young. Growing up in a musical family, he was surrounded by music from a young age. His passion for and knowledge of the music industry was evident to everyone he worked with.

3. Follow your instincts, not a plan

Sometimes, success comes when it’s least expected. While sitting around it your room with no plan probably won’t lead to many job offers, following your gut instincts might lead to some. Nowadays, most career-driven people have a five-year plan that will get them where they want to go. But this isn’t always a recipe for success.

While career plans can be prescriptive and limiting, instinctual decision-making can lead you further down the right path. If a job offer doesn’t feel right, turn it down. If you follow your heart and your gut, it will lead you down the best path for you.

Josh’s career is a product of instinctive choices. He began by promoting venues and artists because he liked them. This lead to a job role as a rep on national tours. He saw something in DVBBS and knew that he could be the manager they needed. His career trajectory is one that could never have been planned in advance.

4. Stay ahead of the trends in your industry

To have an edge, you’ll need to be up-to-date on every development in your industry. By keeping tabs on these developments, you’ll start seeing where the next big thing might come from. That’s when you jump in and introduce it yourself. Go from being a trend-watcher to a trend-setter.

Josh saw a golden opportunity while at university. He noticed the potential in dance music before it entered mainstream culture. This meant that he was one of the only people promoting dance clubs and artists. He found a gap in the market and filled it.

Final Thoughts

While most people won’t launch a successful music management company a year after graduation, there are a few things you can do to ensure your career is a thriving and happy one. We hope Josh’s success story has inspired you to make the right decisions for you as your career progresses.