Hidden Gems: Meet Arianna Gonzalez of Dare and Defy Management

Today we’d like to introduce you to Arianna Gonzalez.  

Hi Arianna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I got started in the music industry as an independent artist very young. High school wasn’t a good experience for me, so I decided to graduate early. Eventually, I would attend Full Sail University to study Music Business and very quickly started my career in Artist Management. I was still 17 at the time and would begin working with a company called “We the Future” where I would help to build their Music Department where I created a course for independent artists, handle artist relations, and different projects like our mix-tape, “The City Beautiful”. Down the road, I would also become a Junior Talent agent through one of my professors, Andrea Taylor. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Moving away from home on my own, freshly turned 17 was definitely a scary thing, but I was able to put myself in the mindset that, this was the beginning of my life and there wasn’t time for fear or messing around. Working in music as a very young woman has also been its own beast. It’s easy for folks to think they can take advantage, underestimate me or simply be harassed and get unwanted and unwarranted advancements from men. 

We’ve been impressed with Dare and Defy Management, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Dare and Defy is my Management and Consulting company that I started in January of 2022 after working as a manager for about a year and a half. I primarily offer consulting services for independent artists in which I cater specifically to the client’s wants and needs. I provide advice and suggestions, but ultimately, what I work on, on a consulting basis comes down to the artist’s decision. I will create marketing plans, marketing or production schedules, plan shows, tours, or listening/release parties, put budgets together, help build websites, EPKs, or just teach what I know. The possibilities are really endless. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I chalk nothing up to luck. As people, we made decisions that dictate the way our life goes, or are born into situations that do so. I made the decision to graduate at 16, I made the decision to attend a college with an accelerated course to graduate with my bachelor’s at 18, and I made the decision to be of service to folks in the local scene, and work hard to get be recognized and be given opportunities. Put shortly, I don’t believe in luck, I believe in action translating to results. 

Pricing:

• FREE Preliminary Consultation
• $30 – 1 Hour
• $100 – 4 hours
• $275 – 10 Hours
• $500 – 20 Hours

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dareanddefy.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nadiesabeofficial/
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/nadiesabemusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHp1FmeK2h2gAWztFWVn6wA
• Other: https://www.flowcode.com/page/iimgliitchiing

Image Credits
Brandon Payne