In conversation with Mississauga’s Jesse Read, owner and founder of Dropout Entertainment.

1. What does your company provide/do?

Dropout Entertainment helps Canadian artists share their work, talents and stories with the world. What started as a hobby for founder Jesse Read, whose goal was to give artists across the country the ability to share their art, has grown into a platform that has helped hundreds of artists of all sizes, from promoting artists releasing their first ever single to shooting content for multi platinum artists and has gained a respectful position in the Canadian music industry.

Dropout Entertainment provides videography, photography, writing, editing and merchandise services to artists across Canada. Dropout Entertainment provides services to both small and large artists and organizations, from simple videos of a single artist shot at a single location, to large productions shot over multiple days and including multiple artists, actors, camera set-ups and locations. Services include event videography, event photography, music videos, festival videos, band photoshoots and promotional videography.

It also serves as a hub for fans across the country to discover their new favourite Canadian artists, posting new singles, music videos, interviews and performance photos videos weekly.

2. What inspired you to start your company?

While attending the Entertainment Business Management program at Metalworks Institute, I noticed a gap in the industry, where artists with big record deals were being given all the spotlight, but independent artists weren’t being given the recognition they deserved. I noticed there were sites dedicated to independent artists located in Toronto, or ones dedicated to Vancouver or Montreal but I wanted to build a platform that would bring Canadian music fans and artists together. Dropout Entertainment started out as a hobby, but has grown exponentially over the years and it’s an incredible feeling to see this goal realized.

3. What's been the most impactful lesson you've learned being an entrepreneur?

I’ve interviewed many of Canada’s top artists and celebrities and asked them if they had any advice for anybody looking to get where they are, and I get the same great answer over and over. Just do it! If there’s something you’re passionate about achieving, just get started and keep putting one foot in front of the other. Don’t worry about what others think as you start your journey, as nobody starts off great, and with each step you take you’ll get better and better at your craft, learning from both your successes and your mistakes.

4. How do you unwind?

I love going out into nature to unwind. For me it’s a great way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life and allows me to spend some time just enjoying the world around me as well as serving as a reminder of how beautiful of a country I get to live in.

5. What succinct advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Aside from “Just do it!” I would say my biggest piece of advice would be to simply treat others the way you want to be treated. It sounds so simple but having a good attitude sometimes goes farther than a good skill set and I think that’s something a lot of people forget in the heat of the moment. Be someone everybody wants to work with!

6. What are your goals for 2024?

My goal for 2024 is to make Dropout Entertainment the go to spot for Canadians music fans to find new music, as well as the go to company for Canadian artists looking to produce content. I want to spread Canadian music to as much of this country as I possibly can!

Dropoutentertainment.ca