Headliner Mindset

WES MILLS - How To Follow The Feeling And Find Your Sound

• Nik Cherwink

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Wes Mills is living proof that with the right mindset, relentless work ethic, and pure love for the craft, anything is possible. From commuting late nights to ICON Collective to now performing at iconic venues like Red Rocks, Wes shares what it truly takes to become a headliner.

In this episode, we dive deep into how he learned music production from scratch, the moment that inspired him to chase his dream, and the role that authenticity, consistency, and feeding the "feeling" has played in building his project. We also explore the realities of balancing a full-time job while growing a music career, the decision to go all-in, and the lessons he's learned about trusting the process.

Follow Wes Mills here:
https://www.instagram.com/itswesmills
https://www.tiktok.com/@itswesmills

Follow Nik Cherwink here:
https://www.instagram.com/nikcherwink

And visit my site to join the mailing list or book a free coaching call:
https://www.nikcherwink.com

Frankie:

I think it's really, really important to fall in love with the feeling of like, does this feel good to me? Because it feels good to you. That's a special feeling. And then you can just ride off of that

Nik Cherwink:

What's up everybody? Welcome to the Headliner Mindset Podcast. Today's guest is an artist that I truly love and respect someone who isn't chasing trends and numbers, but is really chasing that beautiful emotional feeling that a really good song can give you. And that has led him to some pretty amazing wins, including releasing on song hollows, labeled bit bird, releasing an EP with. Disco lines and also recently playing his debut at Red Rocks. He is also one of the hardest working people in showbiz, as you will soon find out. This is Wes Mills. To get myself, you know, famous and successful? And it's like, yo, come back. Like make great music and that's why I love you. And that's why I was so excited to connect, you know?'cause I was literally, I was just in, you know, speaking of Red Rocks, I was just in Red Rock at Red Rocks a few weeks ago. I did a little snowboarding trip. I was cruising around with my girlfriend and, and I, I dunno, for whatever reason I was like, oh, like. My man. Welcome to the show, bro. It is so good to see you. I'm so excited to dive in with you because, uh, you know, you are one of the many people that I had the, uh, the, the, the privilege of getting to teach and work with, you know, way back in the day working at Icon Collective. And, uh, it's been a, I don't know how many years since I've seen you, and so just, uh, really pumped. To catch up and kind of fill in the gaps on what you've been up to. you know, first and foremost, bro, like I am such a fan. Like I've, I've been a fan. Like, I've always loved the stuff that you've been making, the music you've been making, also the content that you put out. So, I'm just excited to talk to an artist that I'm, I'm genuinely like a really true fan of. So thank you for taking the time to be here today and excited to dive in with you.

Frankie:

Dude, thank you. I really appreciate what you said and uh, I'm excited to talk to you too.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah, I mean, you know, like I was saying, this is one of my favorite kind of interviews to have because oftentimes, you know, I've had really, I think it was like over a thousand students that I worked with during my seven years at iCONN Collective. So many people that came through that program, and every now and then, it's like I open up my Instagram and then I see, I'm like, oh, you're. Playing lost lands now, or you're fucking, you know, playing Coachella or whatever. Uh, you know, for you, you just recently played Red Rocks,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

like, like one or two weeks ago? First off, congratulations on that.

Frankie:

Thank you.

Nik Cherwink:

milestone moment, I think in most people's careers getting to play that epic venue. Um, so I, I would really love. To kind of like fill in the gaps of like, all right, one minute you're a student at iCONN Collective Learning

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

Production. The next minute you're playing Red Rocks. Right? How did we get there? So,

Frankie:

yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

me back to when you went to Icon. What year was that, that you went there and when you graduated?

Frankie:

yeah. Um, I believe it was in like the middle of 2018. And, and I finished in 2019.

Nik Cherwink:

Got it. Got it. And then did you stay in LA when you graduated? Are are you still out there

Frankie:

No, I, I never,

Nik Cherwink:

did you do after Icon?

Frankie:

I'll kind of set it up. So I lived in Orange County, so I would make that commute. every time, and I chose the night class, so it started at the time, like 10 o'clock and it finished late. So it, it was nice traffic wise because I think if I did any other class it would be brutal. So, yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

out how much dedication that is right there. Driving an hour each direction and going to class at night, like that's, first off, let's just highlight the fucking commitment, you know, the sacrifice that you were willing to make to do that. That says a lot.

Frankie:

Yeah, man. I think, at the end of the day, like once I realized this is what I wanted to do, like it, all the extra stuff went out the window and I just, I was just purely focused on that.

Nik Cherwink:

Hmm.

Frankie:

But yeah, to take to, to answer your first question, like I, I remember showing up to Icon on the very first day and being scared outta my mind just because I had never really dove into music. Like, uh, my friend helped me, make demos just to get into Icon.'cause I didn't know how to make music. I remember on the very first day of Icon, I think it was PD talking about like. how we put an EQ in Ableton and because it's, you know, they start from the basics, you know, Ableton 1 0 1, and so let's throw an EQ on this. And I remember raising my hand, I'll never forget, I was like, Hey, what is an eq? And I remember the whole class, like turning around and being like, who is this? And how did he get in here? Um,

Nik Cherwink:

You

Frankie:

so like. Zero, zero.

Nik Cherwink:

Wow.

Frankie:

but I wanted, I, I, I remember my friend trying to teach me stuff before I went and I, I said, I don't really wanna know,'cause I don't wanna create bad habits.'cause I, I thought so highly of the school and I just wanted to like, I wanted them to be the foundation of what I learned and, and just go up from there. So I think I was just really, really hungry going in.

Nik Cherwink:

yeah. Take it back one step further, like what made you so clear that this was the path that you wanted to go down? You hadn't really even started producing yet, but you were like, I want to fucking do this, and you really committed yourself to it. Where, where did that decision in that commitment come from in the first place?

Frankie:

Um, I saw a Chainsmokers concert like a year before, and I said. I don't know what they're doing. I don't know how they're doing it, but I want to do that and I'm gonna find every way possible to figure out how to do that. So I wasn't even in the music realm, like at all. I was, I played sports my whole life. I played college baseball, like I was not into EDM whatsoever. But, uh, I. I just started to ask around and, and kind of found a friend through. A friend who found, I found out about Icon. It was just really, really organic. It, it was, was never really forced and I have no idea how, how it all happened. It's really, really crazy.

Nik Cherwink:

tell me more about that moment when you, you were like in the crowd, just watching them do it. Like what actually was happening in your mind, in your body. I'm always so curious to know about like, the moment that decision is made almost from like a divine orchestration place, you know? But what happened in that moment?'cause that's a pretty powerful, pivotal moment in your life.

Frankie:

Absolutely. I, I feel like it's one of the best days of my life just because of the, the feeling I, I got. I think they were playing like their new album at the time. I think it was like the album that had like Paris on it and they were like, debuting this new music and just remember, you know, them saying this, this new music. And them being up on stage and the fire going off and I was just like, man, like that is the coolest thing I've ever seen. I just thought it was so cool and, and I think like, just my whole life, I always just wanted to do something big and just like wanted to do something really fun and something that I really wanted to enjoy. And at that time, you know, coming fresh outta college, I'm like, I want to do this. I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I'm like, I wanna do this.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah,

Frankie:

this.

Nik Cherwink:

you're like, I know I don't wanna sit in a fucking cubicle all day. You know,

Frankie:

No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. And I, and, and playing sports. I, I was just always out, so I just wanted to do something, you know, that was out and about and that,

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

it's really crazy, how that one moment like really shifted my whole entire mindset forever.

Nik Cherwink:

Mmm. That's so cool, bro.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

man. Well thank, thanks for sharing that. Now you go to Icon and you spend like a year there, right? I think it was just a year program at, at that time. And then obviously one year is not really enough to get good at making music, especially when you're starting from ground zero. So,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

what did life look like for you post icon?

Frankie:

I remember going back and talking to a teacher after I, I finished, because now I'm like, okay, like you said, what do I do now? And I remember like, okay, so what do I do next? Like, who do I talk to? What do I, what do I do? And then I remember him just saying. Just make great music and just be you and just kind of just go. And I think for anyone like that sounds so cliche and, and anyone who's listening, it's like, I, I know that like, that's, that's so much easier said than done. But like, I really, really, truthfully, like felt like I, I dug deep at the time and was like, I just want to be myself, and if I'm not enough, then I'm not enough. So I'm just gonna try and be like the best version of me, uh, with the way I, the way I create and the way I create music, create content, create music. So, um, I think Covid was big too, because obviously wasn't working. So I was just at home and I just went like crazy, crazy during that time. Um, and then that's kind of during that time is when I, I thought about starting the West Mills project during Covid. I.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah. Honestly, man, I think that's some of the. advice that anybody has given on this podcast and really broken down into the most simple way possible, but make great music and be you. Because a lot of people were, are so caught up in figuring out like what's. What's the strategy? You know, what's, what's the content strategy to blow up to get myself, you know, famous and successful? And it's

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

back. Like make great music and that's why I love you. And that's why I was so excited to connect, you know?'cause I was literally, I was just in, you know, speaking of Red Rocks, I was just at Red Rocks a few weeks ago. I did a little snowboarding trip. I

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

around with my girlfriend and, and I, I dunno, for whatever reason I was like, oh, you gotta check out this guy from Icon, like, he's fucking sick. Like, this music is dope. And we were, we were just like cruising through the mountains, listening to your music and I was just like, it's so good. The music is fucking good. It makes me feel good and happy. And I'm just like, yeah, this is good shit. That's where it's gotta start.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

don't have that, none of the rest of it matters. You know what I

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

so, make, make great music and you obviously really put time into figuring out, you know, how to make great music and, you know, definitely want to talk about, quote unquote the brand as, as well. But you

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

that part of just like being you, you really are just being authentic in, in that side of it as well.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

but okay, so you took that advice and, what did you do with it?

Frankie:

Well, I, I, uh, like, I, like I was just kind, kind of telling you it was, it was more of a mentality shift from there. I was like, okay, like what do I gotta do to just be undeniable? And I still tell myself that to this day. Like, if you want to be who you want to be, then you just have to be. That guy put all excuses aside. And so I, during ICO or during um, COVID, I just really, really like focused on that, focused on making music. And then, uh, the label Bit Bird had like a compilation that they were, they were doing. And uh, and I signed up and I did that.

Nik Cherwink:

And, and, and that was, that was as West Mills, that was like when you just

Frankie:

Cor

Nik Cherwink:

the West

Frankie:

correct. So I hadn't released anything. I hadn't released anything yet. Actually, I had released, I, I had, I had released two songs before that actually, but they were, it, it was just independent.

Nik Cherwink:

How long were you making music from when you started at Icon to when you really actually started this project and started releasing music under West Mills.

Frankie:

So probably about like a, like a year and a half.

Nik Cherwink:

Okay. Yeah. Really

Frankie:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I actually had, I had, I had a project before West Mills that, uh, like about like a year project, and then I just from met.

Nik Cherwink:

you had only been making music for about a year and a half before you

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah. That's, that's, that's pretty impressive, you know?'cause I feel like it usually takes a lot longer for, for most artists. So were

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

really getting after it on the production side of things.

Frankie:

I was trying. Yes. I was trying. And, and it also, it, it also helped because, um, I went to school with, who is now my wife. And so during that time of Covid, we were like totally helping each other. And I wouldn't be where I am without, without her because we just were together just bouncing ideas off each other constantly.

Nik Cherwink:

you went to Icon with your

Frankie:

Yeah. Yes. My wi my, my wife, her, her name's Diane, but her artist's name's Willow Wild.

Nik Cherwink:

Oh, hell yeah. Shout out Diane. Dude, I, okay. I'm having my mind blown right now. I had no idea that you guys were married, man. Well, congratulations on that. That's so rad. Um,

Frankie:

That, that, I mean, I can't, I, I can't leave that, I can't leave that piece out. That's a huge, huge piece. And I think for the longest time we, we tried to kind of keep it, keep it really separated just because we wanted to have our own I identities and we felt like we weren't, you know, our projects weren't. Um, there yet to, to really like, be out there with it overthinking it, really probably not a big deal. But, um, but now I, I like, I, I fully embrace it because that I'm not where I am without, without her period.

Nik Cherwink:

how has she supported you in, in growing this project and just being a part of your, your life in the process?

Frankie:

I think, I think especially early when you're coming up, you have so many questions and, and you're like, you're overthinking everything. You're wanting to, what should I do with this? How should I do this? When I, it could be something as simple as posting when I post this, what do, what should I do for the caption? And like through the years, I just have felt us grow so much in the way of like, like we, like we just talked about a few minutes ago, like it doesn't matter. Just be yourself, share your life with people, share your music with people. So, so like through that, I feel like, um, like the communication, the connection that we've had and the growth that we've had together has allowed us to, to really like, understand and I feel like I'm so excited to keep, keep going and, and understand even more so,

Nik Cherwink:

Wow,

Frankie:

yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

First off, shout out Icon Collective for bringing people together and, and ma ma ma matchmaking. I, I wonder if there's any other married couples that have come out of Icon. I feel like there's gotta be a couple others. Um, super cool. But also I love that having that. That person next to you to, you know, when we get in our heads and we start second

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

overthinking or whatever, it's just like having somebody that, that also really gets it to, to be a support system for you and, and be a different voice, uh, to kind of combat some of those, those other voices that we have. You know, I think

Frankie:

absolutely.

Nik Cherwink:

you know, it really brings up something that I'd like to talk about more on this podcast because I, there oftentimes is this mindset with artists that. I can't be in a relationship because I have to be a hundred percent dedicated to my music and to my

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

And I think it, you know, it's funny'cause when I look back at so many of the artists that I know that are massive, I'm talking, You know, slander Sullivan King Jaws, like, you know, all these dudes they had, they had girlfriends for 10 years. There was always, they were with a partner, which I think it's really incredible to have that support system as you're chasing your dream. If you're with the right person, they're not gonna be a distraction. They're gonna be somebody that's like. In your corner to help you and to support you. You know? And like I feel

Frankie:

Absolutely.

Nik Cherwink:

that I have a partner now when I'm like, yo, my life. I'm like, I am succeeding so much more with somebody in my corner because you know, you're not, you're not doing it alone. So really seeing

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

that perspective of like partnership, you know, it's so, uh, for anyone out there that's struggling, that's like, oh, I don't have time for a partner. It's like, honestly man, you know, maybe having a partner could be one of the best things for you'cause you're

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

just spinning your wheels by yourself all the time, you know?

Frankie:

yeah, yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

Love

Frankie:

I, I agree.

Nik Cherwink:

So, so you had, that song Holos label, bit Bird.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

you, you got on a compilation for that. That

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

of the launch of the West Mills project. Uh, and then where did things go from there?

Frankie:

So from there,

Nik Cherwink:

I.

Frankie:

I, I just reached out to, uh, Thorwald, who kind of runs Bit Bird and because he was like on the email string, I ob obviously I knew who he was, but I didn't know him personally. So I just reached out, I think via email and said, Hey, can I send you music? And then he sent me his WhatsApp and he said, yo, like, yes, send me music. And I remember. At the time, I didn't have a bunch of music. I just had one song that I really liked and it was called the Tendo 64. So I sent it to him and he ends up going. Okay. I really like this. It was like a, it was like one of those moments where I waited like a month. I didn't think he was gonna respond, but I, he ended up responding and then he was like, let's do a, let's do an EP out of this. After, after I released that song, and I wasn't really like, prepared, so I remember like piecing that project together, but I was feeding off of like, just, just the feeling of that first, first song. And, and I, I just, yeah, I, I think there was. There was four other songs or three other songs on that EP and uh, and they were all just kind of pieced together like month by month if everything at that early stage, like I'm still, like you said, learning, it's only been like a year and a half, two years and, and getting this opportunity to release an ep and, and I think that's why, I think that's why that feeling at that time was so special because it wasn't like super planned and well thought through. It was just like. This was really inspiring me. Right now, let's just go with this feeling. Let's just go with this. Let's just go with this. And it's still probably my favorite project I've put out.

Nik Cherwink:

Mm mm You're talking a lot about feeding the feeling.

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

Tell me more about that. It sounds like that's a big part of your creative process. You know, feed, feeding the feeling. What does that actually mean and look like for you?

Frankie:

I think, I think that is the. Thing for my creative process, like I, I would say there's people out there that are so much more talented producers than me, and when I get in studios with people, sometimes they often like get caught up in, in technicalities. And I, I love to have conversations with them. Not saying I'm better by any means, but just like, hey, like let's just focus on how this, this feels. I think it's really, really important to fall in love with the feeling of like, does this feel good to me? Because it feels good to you. That's a special feeling. And then you can just ride off of that I feel like that's also what, like, creates people's sound, I think. And I think that another like thing with sound gets gets really like caught up and mushy sometimes. Like, you know, I'm trying to find my sound, or this is my sound. And it's like, dude, your sound is simply like. What you love. If you love that snare, if you love that synth, if you love the way that sounds or feels, you're gonna probably oftentimes go back to something that feels like that. And over time just ride on that. Ride on that and like that naturally creates, I feel like your sound.

Nik Cherwink:

Wow. Yeah, dude, that brings up a really great point. It's like everybody's looking for, how do I find my sound? What about, how do I find my feeling?

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

What's your feeling? What if we, what if we're chasing, chasing that

Frankie:

Yeah, I, I, I, I mean, I agree. I mean, I, I, I, I remember, I don't do it as much anymore, but I, I used to like look up, uh, like old PS two or Nintendo 64 visuals on YouTube and just watch it and then be like, I want to create what that feels like to me.

Nik Cherwink:

Mm

Frankie:

Like, what, what? Like that, that fuzziness, what? Oh, that feels like the, uh, a fuzzy bass. Or, you know,

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

he's grinding on that. Like, I don't know that, that, for me, I'm very visual. So like that, that aesthetic, that old aesthetic really, really like inspires me musically.

Nik Cherwink:

yeah. In your Instagram bio it says, uh, nostalgic dance music,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

it's very clear that you have. for your sound, for your aesthetic, even for the feeling. I've also seen other people kind of try to do this in saying like, I've,'cause I've helped people build their, build their brands and stuff. And this has come up before where like, oh, I want to have a, a nostalgia kind of brand. feel like you have really just done that so well, I guess, tell me where the inspiration for that came from.'cause it's, it's. It's so clearly felt in your brand and even in your sound too.

Frankie:

Thank you. Um, I would say the biggest, the biggest piece is I used to be a childhood actor when I was younger. Um, I was on a.

Nik Cherwink:

wow.

Frankie:

I was on a TV show called That, so Raven, when I was a younger, when I was a kid. And so I was constantly around, um, just, just act actors and I feel like I was, I was like kind of forced to be like a, an adult at a young age just because that business is very like, go, go, go. Um, and because of that, I feel like I, like, you know, as a kid you, you kind of have like a lot of like fuzzy memories, but I remember those memories were really, really crystal clear just because I had to like lock in And I think that like. In turn really translated to, you know, my adult adulthood life, where like I reflect a lot on those times. Even when I played sports during those times.'cause I remember driving to LA with my dad leaving at 6:00 AM getting to la, getting home at like 7:00 PM and going straight to football practice, like putting my pads on in the car And like that to me, like I know not everyone has the best childhood. Um, but I was blessed to have really, really good, uh, family around me and just, just wanted to give me the best childhood I can. So, so because of that, I, it really inspires me because that was such a special time in my life, just, just being able to do a lot of really cool things.

Nik Cherwink:

Wow. How

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

like background as a child actor and kind of coming up in the entertainment industry has influenced or affected your current career as a DJ and artist?

Frankie:

I think it, it, it's impacted it in a big, big way I. Yeah, I think you're able to just see, just cut through the, the noise a little bit quicker. See, see whose, whose intentions are true. See who's some people are, are in it for the wrong reasons. And I'm never, I'm never disrespectful, but it's just like, I think it's really important to keep, you're circle tight, essentially. People who you trust around you and, uh. And, and just, just kind of like be you through that because it's really easy to get taken. Oh, like you should do this. This is super sick. Or you should work with this person. This is super sick. You should do this. And I think it's like, you know, just like, do you want to do that? You go do that.

Nik Cherwink:

Mm. Yeah, man. You know, I, living in for 13 years and working in the industry as well, I, I noticed along the way it was kind of like a. It's kinda like your bullshit detector gets stronger. You know, it's like you almost develop this sixth sense for how to read people and, and their intentions and just the, um, you know, people that are really like solid and grounded and authentic versus, you know, a little bit more, know, and, uh, yeah, lost in the, in, in the, in the game and the chaos of all of it.

Frankie:

Yeah, I, I definitely think that, that my childhood helped me detect that for sure.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah. Yeah, yeah, man. Um, okay. So. It's, it's cool to hear that you got, you know, you really got, uh, some label support in

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

the

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

I imagine that that probably helped, helped to get some legs, um, relatively quick. Quickly. Also, man, I mean, just, just to highlight and reflect. It's like you look back to the music, it's like, well, you were making good music. You were following. feels good rather than, what do I think I should be making? Like what's happening in the scene? You know, like a lot of people are studying the formula like, okay, how does this work? Making music from the mind rather than making music from the heart and the soul and the energy and the feeling, which I just gotta throw in as well. It's so clear and obvious. When I see you in like your live shows, which I can't wait to attend someday, but it's like, it's so clear that you're having a fucking blast up there. Like you're actually, you know, like your, your head's not like buried in the dday gday decks. Like you're smiling, you're jumping, you're laughing. It's like. That energy is infectious. And so the crowd is having fun. I think it's in the studio too, when you're like, I'm, I'm feeling something. I'm excited. There's a certain feeling I'm putting into this. That feeling is gonna be felt on the other side. And so

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

the energy and the feeling, uh, it's, it's so clear that like yeah, you're just, you're tapped in, man. It's really cool to see.

Frankie:

Thank you. Thank you. Yeah. Yeah. I, I, I do, I do have fun. I love it. I love it.

Nik Cherwink:

yeah. So back to what we were saying as far as getting label support. You know, you're making great music in the first place. There's an energy around it, there's a feeling around it. That energy and feeling is being felt by, by Bit Bird, and you're starting to get recognized by labels. I imagine that that probably helped. Helped you get a little more just, a attention and some momentum in your career versus probably just throwing out self releases. And I guess, I guess my question is how did working with a label, you know, support you in those early stages of your project?

Frankie:

Yeah. Um, tremendously. Uh, bit Bird. I, I, to this day, like I love every single one of them. They, they've helped me and, and more importantly, they just believed in me because I remember like asking to hop on Zoom calls because I wanted to explain what I wanted to do with the videos, or I wanted to do this. And they were always like, it wasn't just like a one per one-on-one convo. Sometimes you have that and then you, they'll hear you out and go, okay. But it was like they were bought in like six of'em, like listening. So at that time when I'm coming up, like. When people believe in something, like, it just, it just feeds, it just feeds you. It, it, so it, it really like helped me because I felt like I was believed in from them and from there they, they brought me on, on sons tour, like through that, through releasing with them. So that was really what, like I feel like kickstarted me to get out there through them.

Nik Cherwink:

Hell yeah, man. I mean, it's

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

such a beautiful part of DJ culture, right? Is just like putting the next generation on, you know, getting, getting, you know, on people's labels, getting to have those opening, you know, tour slots or whatever. So, super cool that you, that you created that opportunity for yourself. I'll say. Um, do you feel like also you're saying how they were really bought into you? I would imagine that you also had to have a level of conviction about yourself that got them to buy in and, and be, as you know, as bought in as well. Do you feel like that was an element to it?

Frankie:

For sure. Yeah. Yeah. I, I, I oftentimes felt like crazy for the, the, some ideas that I would present, you know? Uh, but then again, I would just like, just ride, just ride with it. If you think it's cool, just, just do it.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

know. Uh, you're constantly growing. Some of the things I, I did, I did a few years ago. I'm like, I, I'm growing and doing something different now, but I think it's all part of it, which is really cool because I was. I was thinking differently then.

Nik Cherwink:

yeah, a hundred percent. A hundred percent. And that's a great point, man. You like, can you, you gimme an example of how you feel like you were thinking differently?

Frankie:

I think like, like for instance, I did a video where like I, I was like, I want to be a tennis player because I named it Grand Slam. So I wanna be a tennis player and then I want to be a coach and I want to put on a fake mustache, I was so inspired by like the visual aspect of like, trying to create the feeling of what that music felt like. And I, I think it's just more of like a mature thing. Like I just want to like, just like dial dial that back. I didn't really know who West Mills was in the beginning. To me, west Mills was like an, uh, alter ego, like something I wanted to be like that, like I'm Frankie, I wanted to like. You know, have fun and, and, and allow Wes Mills to be something I just have fun with. But, um, I think over the years I've realized that like Wes is, Wes is me and I have to allow, like if I want to be wacky or if I want to do something that's a little different than someone else, like, dude, that's just you and you're weird. And just embrace that rather than trying to let it be an alter ego. So it's, it's kind of, it's kind of like naturally. Been who I am be. Be I like, I've allowed it to be who I am now.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

like it. Well, I can see where some of your, uh, acting background has come into play here as well of being like, oh, like you kind of, kind of created a, a character in a

Frankie:

Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Nik Cherwink:

having some of these, these ideas, which I think is great to point out, is you also were. Not just thinking about the sound and the music, but also how do I want to visually present this, right? And even having a, you know, a, a bit of a character, a bit of this idea and these, you know, kind of fun wild things that you want it to do from a visual perspective as well. Which, you know, obviously I think. and at least anyone that's been listening to the podcast knows that that is just becoming more and more of a, of an important part of somebody's project as we become more, you know, kind of social media driven. But you were already thinking about that kind of from the beginning.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

As you're, you're explaining, you know, it, it, it definitely has evolved. I think as any brand does it, it evolves just like we do as people. The things that we're into a couple years ago are, are, are going to change and shift to what we're into now. Uh. but did you have a pretty clear idea of the brand? Like when you launched the project as far as, you know, the, the visuals kind of the, the idea behind it. was that, was that vision pretty clear for you from the beginning? Or was it more of an organic evolution?

Frankie:

100% organic evolution I had,

Nik Cherwink:

Mm

Frankie:

no idea I was making lo-fi music. My first release with West Mills was lo-fi, completely lo-fi. And then I remember releasing it and thinking to myself like. What, why did I start making music? I started making music because I wanted to perform in front of people, and the only way to perform in front of people is to make dance music and lo-fi, I'm never gonna be able to be on a stage and, and perform lo-fi even though I love lo-fi. So how can I combine the feeling that I love from lo-fi and try it and, and create it in a dance realm? And that's kind of how it started. I think in the beginning it was, my music was a lot more like grungier and, and. Yeah, it's, it was very lo-fi influence. So to answer your question, no, I didn't have a clear vision. Um, even like the characters, like, it would be as, it would be as simple as like, Hey Diane, can you come in the backyard and just like, film me real quick? I want, I just, I'm thinking off the dome, like, okay, I'm gonna like do this and then I'm gonna come over here and point on this angle. I think it'll be cool, like to mix it up and then it just kind of like naturally just like, like, okay, let's do this, let's do this to where now. To where now, like I, I am trying to create a, like a world, a universe of, of that like, even though it is me now, like I am embracing like those characters and I want it to be a part of like a story and I want it to like move forward and, and create like. A whole story of where it started and where it will, will continue to go and, and just the, the new, the new characters that come and the new music and yeah, like I, I, I've, the vision's very clear now, but it, it took a long time to get there.

Nik Cherwink:

yeah, yeah. It, it's, it's kind of like you can only see, you know, like when you're, there's the metaphor that like, when you're driving at night, you can only see a couple hundred yards ahead of you. You can't see the whole path. I don't know, I don't know where the brand is going. I don't know where the rest of my life is going. I'm can just see what, what's the next step and,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

that will eventually kind of lead me to. To seeing what's ahead from there. So we have to kind of trust the process in that sense. Um, but yeah, man, that's, it's so cool to hear because like, I, I remember seeing your content Yeah. Even a few years ago where I was like, oh, like doing some fun shit. You know, like the, Dan you, like, you got some dance moves, you got like, you got a thing, you know? And, and, and now one thing I I love also is like, you've also got a style, right? You've got a, you've got a swag, you've kind of got some dance moves and some stage presence and, and you know, you've got the fun content. There's also like a very clear fashion style that you have. That you have found for yourself as well, which, you know, a great element of branding is consistency. It's like there is, there is a consistency around it. It's a piece that I think a lot of DJs aren't really thinking about. If you, especially if you compare, you know. That genre, which is sort of what I, what I call kind of more the, the where the new kids on the block as far as like mainstream genres. Dance music is obviously mainstream now, but before that, you know, we had pop rock, hip

Frankie:

Right.

Nik Cherwink:

know, hip hop rappers, they fucking care about fashion. They dress the part, you know, a pop star when they come out like, yo, they're not wearing jeans and a t-shirt. They're coming out looking like the, the styling is, is super heavily focused and it's sort of this element in for a lot of. know, electronic music artist that hasn't really been a part of it. Um, so it's just cool to see you, uh, like leaning into that. Like, yo, like, let me, let me have a look and let me have some style and some swag and some fashion, which also is super aligned with your brand as far as like, nostalgic kind of, you know, dance music too. So I think you've

Frankie:

That's sick. That's sick. Thank you. I,

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

I just like love like, uh, Adam Sandler and like Shy LaBuff and I had always thought those guys were so cool. I remember like just looking at pictures and be like, dude, they're just wearing whatever they wanna wear and they're so cool. And, uh, it kind of went along with that, like, yeah, I just was, I, I thought for a while, like. I just had to like, dress apart for a dj. He's like, no, lemme just, lemme just dress without how I want to dress. And, I think the, obviously the nineties have a big, big inspiration in that, but it, yeah. Adam Sandler, shout out Adam Sandler.

Nik Cherwink:

Adam Sandler is, is on the, is on the, uh, fashion mood board of,

Frankie:

Correct, correct.

Nik Cherwink:

man. I love it. And it's so cool.'cause it's, it that's authentically you. I think a lot of people are looking outside of themselves of like, oh, what are, what's cool right now? What are other people wearing? You know, what, what's happening in the scene? Or whatever. And basing their creative decisions off of that as opposed to looking at like, yo, what. What do I like and what do I fuck with and what are, what are my inspirations, dude? Also, yeah, shout out Adam Sandler. Fucking Top. I'm remembering now back to like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. Like I was,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

was running around the house with the guitar pretending, like playing like Adam Sandler, like Hanukkah songs when I was young too. Like, you know what I mean? So good dude. So, so funny. so, okay, so now you know. As I said before, you, you just played Red Rocks and that's huge. That's massive. You're starting to, to kind of get out and, and tour and play shows. I saw that you're assigned to UTA for your, um, for your agency, so you have a team

Frankie:

Yes.

Nik Cherwink:

Now, when did

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

start to come into place and how did that happen?

Frankie:

As far as UTAI do, I do, I do. Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

the manager probably came before the agent. As,

Frankie:

Um, it was, it.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

Yeah. But the, this new management that I'm with is, is fairly new. Um, I did a few trials, and the only reason I want to say this is for anyone listening who's. Kind of looking for that or wanting to know about that. Like, I, I think that like in the beginning, you, you like really want a manager and, and something that someone really close to me, Al always told me was like, that's something that you attract. Um, I. That's not something that you, you search for. And so I think I did a few trial runs. Every trial run I did, I still respect and talk to everybody. I, I did them with, but at the end of the day, it, it wasn't like, it just, it's just like a relationship. Sometimes when you break up with someone, it's just like, not necessarily no hard feeling, it's just like. Maybe they don't get the vision or I don't get where they want to take the project, or maybe they didn't have time for the project at the time. But, um, yeah, I think it's really important just to, to, like I, I've been saying like just really just focus on the music and being yourself and that will naturally come. So I didn't really get a manager that I, uh, that like it set in stone until about a year and a half ago. Um, and they.

Nik Cherwink:

about that management team that made you decide it was a

Frankie:

I it was just all things aligned

Nik Cherwink:

Mm-hmm.

Frankie:

and everything that I was saying to them, they understood and they were excited about it, and they wanted to go help, just launch it as, as far out as it could get to people. You know, obviously where I'm at right now. Um.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah.

Frankie:

So, yeah, they just really, really believed in the project and I feel like they could make the moves that I needed to make right now to, to go to the next, to the next level.

Nik Cherwink:

And, and what do you think those moves are for you?

Frankie:

I would honestly say that that, that it's more so, it's more so just alignment with the brand, more so alignment with the brand than like necessarily help, uh, obviously they can help you speak to other labels or, you know, get connected with UTA. Like obviously I don't have, I didn't have connects with UTA, so, but I was more referring to just like being aligned mainly.

Nik Cherwink:

Mm-hmm. But as far as, um, yeah, just the next moves for someone at your stage, uh, to kind of get to whatever, you know, there's, there's levels, right?

Frankie:

Yeah, yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

different kind of, kind of levels to this career. And, uh, as you're looking forward to the next chapter, to the next level, and, you know, kind of strategizing with management, like what is the strategy for you to get to the

Frankie:

I got you. I got you. I got you. Um, yeah, so, uh, the strategy is I am going to do a mini tour this summer. Um, which I've never, never done a headline headline show yet, so I'm really excited about that. Um,

Nik Cherwink:

are you coming to Austin?

Frankie:

I'm not,

Nik Cherwink:

date in

Frankie:

I'm not, but I just, but I just was in Austin. I wasn't,

Nik Cherwink:

do

Frankie:

I

Nik Cherwink:

that,

Frankie:

was in Austin recently. I was in Austin recently.

Nik Cherwink:

Well, all right. Next time bear hit me up, bro. Um,

Frankie:

but yeah, I, I, I think like just, okay. Yeah, I think like, just like trying to write off of, like you said, like doing the, the Red Rock Show. It's like, okay, we got a lot of eyes on this. That's the, that's a going, that's more so the, answering your question, the strategy, um, and then trying to build off the momentum and, and go and, and do a headline tour her.

Nik Cherwink:

it's important, I think, especially for someone like yourself where it's like there is this element of you want to show and, and. I guess I'd love to hear your perspective on this,'cause I would think that it's kind of twofold where first and foremost you wanna show fans like, yo, this is what it looks like to come to a show. It's gonna be hella fun and we're gonna jump up and down and we're gonna get wild and crazy. And this is the music you're gonna listen to. Like you've got a lot of good content. You've got that like 360 set that you did that that's, you've got a lot of good footage from that on your Instagram where I'm like, I see that and I'm like. I want to, I want to buy tickets to go to this show. That looks

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

fun party to go to. And so it's important one to, to be showing the fans, you know, that, and I imagine also kind of like to promoters as well to on the other side of it, of like, hey, like this is, you know, you wanna book this guy, you wanna hire this guy'cause we're, we're doing, you know, this is what it looks like at a, at a West Mills party,

Frankie:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I think the content is, is big. Like, that was like a chance we took on that 360 set. Like,'cause, you know, it's expensive realistically to, get that kind of content. Um, but it was like an investment that, that I think that paid off because that venue first off is incredible. Shout out, box pack, box pack in, uh, salt Lake City, Utah.

Nik Cherwink:

Sick? Yeah, it looked like a dope show.

Frankie:

And, and so I, I, I do feel like that kind of stuff really, really helps. It's like, if you know something, you know it's gonna, it is gonna look cool. I say invest and, and go for it.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah. Yeah, that's a big piece. I mean, we've, I've been having that conversation more and more on the podcast and especially the more, yeah. Artists that I talk to that are a little further along into the game is they get it. It's like it, especially in the beginning. Reinvesting whatever you're making back into the project, you know? Um, it's like there's so much to, can kind of just take your fee and be like, cool, I like, I made some money this weekend. You know, nice. But it's like, or you can just, you know, dump it all back into the project and be like, cool. How can we do a better, you know, stage production? How can we get some extra. Pyro, you know, how, what,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

the videographer and, and just, you know, reinvest anything that we're making to continue to push the brand forward. It's the same really for any business. You know,

Frankie:

It really is.

Nik Cherwink:

business in any

Frankie:

It really is.

Nik Cherwink:

you're like, don't take a hundred percent of those profits home and go buy a new car or whatever. It's like take those profits, put it back into the business, and that's how you actually scale everything.

Frankie:

Yeah, and also just like kind of understanding where you are at the time too. I feel like that's important because obviously everybody sees high, have high, high hopes for themselves and, aspire to be something, something big and great, but, but you kind of gotta like know where you are and piece, like you said, back, back into the project and invest and that will slowly, or quickly build it up.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah. Yeah. And something I want to, you know, point out as well is, you are, you're working with UTA.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

of the top talent agency for electronic music in, in the game and in the scene. a lot of people are really focused, so focused on social media content. How do I build my numbers and get my numbers up to a point that eventually an agency will be interested in me, but like I. have less than 10,000 followers still on Instagram, at least I don't know what

Frankie:

Yeah. Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

the rest of yours look like. So just to kind of point out of like, oh, it's not just about kind of vanity metrics, what we'll call them, right? Like, like,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

what do you think it is for you that's allowed you to have a booking agent? With one of the best agencies in the industry while still having, you know, what we might, you know, no offense, might still consider kind of relatively low numbers compared to, you know, other, there's other people that have 50,000 followers and like no agent, you know.

Frankie:

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I, first of all, I'm very blessed to have the opportunity. I feel really, really. Really blessed to have the opportunity. I think when I met with UTA, like it, the music was obviously like we, something we talked about because that's the most important thing. But we really just talked about the project and they were really excited about who West Mills is and they wanted to know what that looked like, where that came from, and they were really excited about what that could be. and that was mainly like the, the initial conversation, which was flattering because like we said, it was like just always like a character to me. And it's something I have fun with, but obviously that resonates with people and they see that. So yeah, I was really thankful to see that they were excited about it when we spoke. So it was more so a brand. Like they really fell in love with the brand and, and, and they're like, and the music aligns and so this just makes sense and we wanna support this. So,

Nik Cherwink:

good dude.

Frankie:

yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

Because what, what, what we're really getting at at here, I think a lot of people are like, they're so focused on the numbers, right? Where, or they think that like agents only care about numbers, labels only care about numbers or whatever. And so everyone's so hyperfocused on how do I get these numbers up? And it's like, no, no. Wait a minute. Let's go back to like. Like, is the product there? Are you making really good music? Are you making some shit that's like really got that feeling behind it? And do you have a vision? Do you have a vision for where this is going? Do you have a really clear identity as an artist?

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

do you have that own level of conviction in yourself? Like do you believe in it? You know, like if you have those three things of like, yo, I've got great music, I got a really strong idea of who I am and where I'm going, and I fucking believe in myself. You're getting, you're getting signed, you know, and it's not like, how can I, how can I make content that's gonna get as many eyeballs as I can and get my followers up, you know, from this like kind of frantic, uh, hamster wheel that I think so many artists are on,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

just such a great, such a great proof of that, that, you know, great music, a, a good brand and vision and, and just belief in yourself is, is gonna be more attractive than somebody that just has some vanity metrics.

Frankie:

For sure, for sure. And it, and it's tough because I feel like you, you are constantly on social media and that's just a part of, that's just a part of reality now, and you're, it's a constant influx of just. Music, especially if you follow people. I just can go on my TikTok or Instagram and I, I just, I see a lot of, I just see a lot of like trends and stuff like that, and I think that's what I've always tried to stay away from. Not saying at all that's bad, but I feel like that's what, like I was always afraid of. I. Doing something, a video and like it blowing up and then like, it was just a really cool video. But like there's, there's no, like, there's no soul and heart behind that. And I'd never, like, I think that's why I, I personally tried to always stay away from that. But hone honestly, I've seen a lot of really successful projects, you know, grow from that too. But, uh, social media is, is very, very interesting.

Nik Cherwink:

I mean, dude, I'll, I'll put myself in the same category. I'm like, don't even have 6,000 followers on Instagram yet, but dude, like. Not, not, not to pat my own back. I've been crushing it with my fucking business this last year. You know what I mean? Like I'm getting clients all the time. working with a ton of people, like making a huge impact. seeing people make massive leaps in transformations in their life and in their career. And I know other coaches, I'm like, that's. You got, you got tens of thousands of followers and like, you're not even a full-time coach yet. You know what I mean? It's like, it's not about, it's not about the, the quality and, and or the, uh, the quantity of all of those numbers. It's like, what are you actually like doing with them, you know? If out of those, you know, I'd rather have 5,000 fans that are actual true fans. They're super engaged, they're super fans, they love you, they're gonna buy tickets to your shows. Than have a hundred thousand, you know, views. And I, I've had people that have gotten a million views on a TikTok before and gotten no new followers out of it. You know, like that's cool, you got eyeballs. But it's like, that doesn't mean that they're fans. There's a big difference.

Frankie:

That's literally, you just took the words outta my mouth. I, I have to remind myself that all the time. It's just like. It's, it, you're, it's investing all around. I just feel like if it comes, it comes and I'll be really thankful, but I'd rather, like, at the end of the day, like, if music ends tomorrow, I could just be like, okay, cool. Like I, I, I just stuck with my guns and I wanted to do what I wanted to do, and I'm, I'm okay with that because at the end of the day, my identity is not in the West Mills project. My identity is just in who I am, and I, I just. Really, really enjoy making music, and I just want to be able to provide for my family and do what I love. Like that's simply all, all I want to do. So, yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

Wow. Dude, I love that you just brought up the identity piece. Because I think that that's really huge and, and I've seen it with artists as you continue to grow. And you know, especially, it's like you have, there's you and then there's your artist project, and

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

those lines can be blurred where, you know, your whole life becomes about this project and you even have a name where it's like, people don't call you your real name anymore. Everyone's calling you, you know, you're like, okay, Wes, Wes

Frankie:

Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

Wes. kind of lose sight of reality and it takes over and it can be a really unhealthy place because if it's doing well, then you're good and you're happy, but like, you know, then you're then may, maybe the project's not doing well, and now your whole life is in shambles. So I think it's really important to keep that degree of separation. And just remember it's like, no, like I, you're, you're Frankie,

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

is a project. Like I have a

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

know,

Frankie:

yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

so. Just remembering that like, this is not you. It's not your life. It's like even saying, it's like I am an artist. It's like I am a person that makes art. You know? There's a

Frankie:

yeah. Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

between that, you know, if my whole identity is wrapped up in this thing, it's kind of a dangerous place to be. So I just, I love that you've. You've created that distinction between you? because we see it all the time, you know, people that just get really lost and really lose themselves in it. And, um, yeah, just remembering it's like, oh, this is, this is just a, a project that I'm doing and it takes me on adventures and it makes me money. But at the end of the day, like I, I know who I am as a person, as a human first and foremost. And my life, my, this isn't a hundred percent of my life. I think that's important.

Frankie:

Yeah, I, I agree. I agree.

Nik Cherwink:

So I wanna know. For you, obviously. you've had such a great career so far, and the project has, has, has done, you know, really well so far and, and also still Yeah. Just, just getting warmed up and it's getting really great momentum right now and a lot of cool stuff is on the way. what would

Frankie:

What would you say have been some of the biggest challenges?

Nik Cherwink:

that you've faced along the way so far?

Frankie:

I would say the biggest, the biggest challenge would just be like, time invested into the project because I have. Been working a full-time job this whole entire time while doing this, and, It's just like, it's just tough sometimes to manage that. Especially like, you know, being in a relationship like we talked about earlier and really trying to be like, how can I be the best artist? How can I be the be the best provider? How can I be the best husband? And piecing that all together. And I know that's not, I know most of the people who are, are producing or younger, even girlfriend, how can I be the best boyfriend? Um, but just like allocating time, um, that's been the biggest challenge to the project and like utilizing that little time I have. To, to try and, and yeah, fully utilize that time.

Nik Cherwink:

Yeah. So it, what does that look like for you? Are, are you doing like a nine to five and then kind of working in, in the evenings on the project? What's your actual

Frankie:

Yeah, so like

Nik Cherwink:

do you fit it in?

Frankie:

realistically my schedule, like I work Monday through Friday from usually like seven to seven. I'm a UPS supervisor, so I manage like 120 drivers. So I usually work like 10 to 12 hours every day and, uh, come home, try and spend some time with, with the family. And then, uh, I usually start producing around like 10 or 11 until around like. Two or three in the morning and wake up and do it all over again. It's been a grind.

Nik Cherwink:

until three in the morning and then wake up, and then you start work at seven in the

Frankie:

Yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

So basically you don't sleep, you

Frankie:

yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

you

Frankie:

yeah,

Nik Cherwink:

hours a

Frankie:

yeah. Yeah. And then the weekends I just get caught up on sleep. I,

Nik Cherwink:

Wow.

Frankie:

yeah. So like, that's been, that's been my life since the end of Icon Till, till literally, like, I think I decided two days ago that I'm gonna put my two weeks in and just, just fully send it.

Nik Cherwink:

bro, first off, congratulations. That's a big decision to make.

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

that it's, it's that leap of faith moment, man. It's that least leap of faith moment of like, all right, like getting all of that time. Imagine you're already doing what you're doing with like. Just this, this limited amount of time and probably not the most

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

fresh part of your day either. Imagine what you'll be able to do with that extra, you know, 10 hours a day to really put into it. I can only imagine what's possible, but it is, it is that leap of faith moment that everybody has to take at some point.

Frankie:

Yeah. it's definitely something that's like, well, alright, we're, we're gonna do this. But at the same time, like you just said it, like, I'm realistically giving like 10 or 15% of myself to this and I, even if I can give 50 to 80% to a hundred percent, I, I want, I just. I, I just wanna look back when I'm older and be able to say like, IGI gave this thing all I got and like we just talked about, like if it don't get there, then it don't get there. And that's okay, but like, I'm gonna, like, I'm gonna sh I'm gonna shoot for the stars because I just want to be able to like give it my, my all. And I wanna be able to say I did that and I'm young enough to be able to be like, alright, it didn't work. Let's just, let's just go do this now and go figure it out and do something else.

Nik Cherwink:

always gonna be there, bro. They're not going anywhere.

Frankie:

No,

Nik Cherwink:

that's what

Frankie:

but.

Nik Cherwink:

when I was, when I was, uh. You know, 22 and just graduated college and decided to move to la I had, I had a job at a financial advising firm right out of college, and I did it for like two months. And I was just like, you know what? I was like this. I'm like, I want to, this isn't what I wanna do right now. Like, I want to take a fucking leap of faith and, and send it and, and move to la And my whole thing was, I was, I was like, if it doesn't work out, like. The, the insurance industry is not going anywhere. You know, like, like

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

none of that shit is going anywhere. Like, I can go get a job really anytime that I want, you know, if I decide I don't want to do run my coaching business anymore, I'm like, okay, cool. There's 9,000 other fucking jobs I can go, you know, normal jobs I can go get. Um, so I, I love that man. I'm

Frankie:

Yeah.

Nik Cherwink:

you.

Frankie:

Thank you. I,

Nik Cherwink:

bro.

Frankie:

yeah. Thank you. Thank you.

Nik Cherwink:

today, dude. Call them today. Put the fucking notice in. Say, Hey, I was just on the Headliner Mindset podcast and you know what I, I got, I'm fucking ready. Two. You guys got two more weeks of me. All right. Um, but you

Frankie:

the.

Nik Cherwink:

here's the other point I wanna point out, out out. The other thing I wanna point out is, um,'cause so many other people are in the same boat where they're working a nine to five and it's a squeeze and it's a grind and it's tough and it's like, damn, I get home at the end of the day and I don't have any energy. And it's like, okay, I just want to, I just want to point out like, all right, it's possible.

Frankie:

I, I, I.

Nik Cherwink:

is proof that like you can do it. It, it's, there's something inside of you to tap into if you really want it that badly. And I guess you were doing it from the beginning too. You were driving an icon at 10 o'clock at night anyway, so you're, you're, you're not used to late night

Frankie:

I, yeah, I didn't, I didn't have a job while I was at IC Icon. I will say that I worked like a part-time job at a school district for a little while, and then I kind of had the same dilemma. I so like, sat down, I was still living at home with my parents and I was like, Hey, I want to like, give Icon my full, like I'm paying a lot of money to go here. Like, I want to be able to like, really like take it all in. And they were like, go for it. So, um, yeah, during, like right at the end of Covid, that's when I, I started working with UPS but ho honestly like. All I have to say to that is like the most important lesson I've learned. Uh, through that time till now is like, no one feels sorry for you. Um, no one, like, like at the end of the day, like, no one's gonna be like there for you or believe in you like you do, and like, no one's gonna do it for you. So like, if you want something, go get it. Like, just go get it. And like, it just like no one, like no one understands, you don't have to tell anyone like. The hours you're working or anything, just like, just go do it, dude. Like, like no one wants to hear excuses, you just go get it. If you want something, it's, it's right there. Like I, I, I fully have like held onto that tight. Like, I, I, if I want to get outta UPS, then what do I gotta do? I gotta go and invest, go invest in myself, put the time in and go get it. So that's kind of been my mentality.

Nik Cherwink:

Now that ladies and gentlemen is the headliner mindset at its finest. I, uh, know, in a, in a nutshell straight up, dude, so, fuck man. Like I said, I'm, I'm so excited for you. I'm so proud of you to see what

Frankie:

Thank you.

Nik Cherwink:

Like, you, you have been grinding and you know, just so. Locked in and coming from a place of authenticity and just, I think just doing it the right way, man. And so only big things are coming for you. I'm so excited, man. So definitely, keep me posted. You better extend this, uh, mini tour into a full tour so that you can actually come to Austin so that I can see you. But, uh, if not, if not this summer, I, I look forward to, to catching a set when the time comes. Um, but thanks so much for hopping on, man. Like what a awesome story and so much inci inspiring stuff in there.

Frankie:

Thank you. I really appreciate you having me and for everyone listening, Nick is the man. I appreciate you, bro. Appreciate you

Nik Cherwink:

soon.

Frankie:

later.

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Nik Cherwink

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