Daily Inspiration: Meet Chris Nicolaou

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Nicolaou

Hi Chris, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After graduating college, I made a real effort to lock-down a ‘grown-person’ job in advertising – but never got a callback. So, I ended up taking an internship with a small marketing agency located in Deep Ellum.

Although it didn’t work out in the long run, it was during my internship that I discovered my passion for music, built a network and gained valuable working experience.

In December of 2015, I launched my first business, a small digital marketing agency called Audia Creatives. Two years later in 2017, with the help small group of friends and my partner, I rolled out a hip-hop record label called Phantom City Records. – we’ve spent the last eight years fully-committed to growing and expanding the brand.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say the struggles were all behind me but, every SINGLE day presents a challenge. They aren’t the same as when I started but, still cause anxiety, frustration and set-backs all the same.

At the core of every other problem that inevitably arises is complacency. It’s hard to avoid and even harder to identify. It’s so gradual and might not rear its ugly head until months, or even years after the initial excitement and enthusiasm of launching is behind you. So, stay hungry – and revisit your mission statement every once in a while.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
On the business side, I’m the founder of Phantom City Records – which I’m proud to say is the first fully-housed hiphop record label in Dallas. Our long-term vision is to keep local artists in Dallas. We’re major label going through puberty. We provide aspring artists industry standard marketing materials, Arist Development, videography, music production and studio time.

I’m going to flex…just a little bit. I’ve been to the grammy’s twice, produced billboard charting records with my good friend and business partner
7 Tha Great. I’ve been nominated Best Producer of the Year BET DALLAS and Best New Artist for After Party Awards…Had the opportunity to work with some talented well-known artists…been on a billboard all kinds of self-absorbed shit like that.

But, honestly I’m grateful for the friendships and partnerships I’ve been able to make. We’ve been able to do some really cool things so far and I still go to sleep every night excited to get back up and do it again.

What matters most to you? Why?
There’s a hundred things I could say about this….but, for the purpose of saving time and article space, here’s a corny ass list:

1. Time. Money and time are interchangeable. You can always spend more of one to save the other.

2. Words matching actions. You can’t build trust with anyone who says one thing and does another. There inherently unreliable and bring negativity into your life.

3. Embrace Discipline. Motivation is momentary, any idiot can get jacked up over rolling the dice. Discipline is reporting for duty whether your motivated or not.

4. Make sure whatever you’re doing provides a sense of meaning and purpose. Other wise you’re in the wrong lane.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.phantomcityrecords.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poofymanpcr?utm_source=qr&igsh=MTk1YTB4bXNqOGE5eQ==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhantomCityRecords
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/phantom-city-records-dallas