S4 E10: Steve Caldwell, Mandolin

Code Story: Insights from Startup Tech Leaders

Episode • Mar 9, 2021 • 27m

Steve Caldwell lives in Louisville, Kentucky - but grew up in South Louisiana, in cajun country. In the 90's he loved seeing things he typed on the screen come to life, as he built website in Frontpage 95. As he got into his 20's, he wanted to jump into professional dev. He's got 3 kids in elementary school - so with the pandemic, its been quite interesting having everybody at home. He's relatively new to Kentucky, but hopes to get out and do the bourbon trail when the timing is right. He enjoys playing music, composing, and DJ'ing.

As he puts it, he enjoys combining his passion for music with his passion for technology. In startup land, you have to be able to adlib and be flexible to change, understand your customers, and to skate where the puck is so to speak. Its the same in music - feeling the crowd, responding to your band, etc. - which is a really interesting parallel.

As the COVID pandemic decimated live music events, Steve was caught in a related riff. He found himself networking for his next gig, and while doing so, started to chat with his now co-founders about a new opportunity... where musicians could interact with fans in new ways.

This is the creation story of Mandolin.

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