November Alumni Accolades
Rodney Gipson’s Journey Through Music, Art, and Entrepreneurship
For Rodney Gipson, music is more than a profession—it’s a calling. Rooted in Chicago’s vibrant arts scene, Rodney is a multi-talented pianist, guitarist, and composer/producer. As the CEO of Audible Edge Music, Rodney creates and distributes genres ranging from traditional jazz and Neo-Soul to Afrobeats. With influences like Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, and Portuguese fado artist Mariza, his work transcends borders and genres. But Rodney’s story isn’t just about melodies—it’s about a journey of transformation, determination, and community.
Finding Sunshine Enterprises
Rodney’s entrepreneurial path began while driving for Uber. Searching for resources to take his music business to the next level, he attended one of their small business workshops and also a workshop at the Cosmopolitan YWCA. But he craved something more comprehensive. That’s when Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green pointed him toward Sunshine Enterprises, where he joined our Community Business Academy (CBA) in 2017. "Sunshine Enterprises gave me clarity about the type of business I wanted to build," Rodney shares. "The program didn’t just focus on funding; it helped me grow in every aspect of running a business." Through our CBA, Rodney found the tools he needed to turn his creative vision into a sustainable business. Among the most impactful lessons were:
Business Simulations: "Negotiating with visual artists became so much easier after learning business simulations," Rodney explains. "It gave me the confidence to secure great margins and payment terms."
Weekly Planning: The course’s focus on planning transformed how Rodney approached his workload. "I now take Sundays and Mondays off to plan my week and social media… this helps me be more effective and efficient, and also helps to keep my stress level low."
After graduating from our CBA, Rodney immersed himself in our broader offerings, including our Business Acceleration Services, Access to Capital program, and taking part in Sunshine’s vending opportunities with partners such as Navy Pier. "I’ve taken advantage of everything," Rodney says proudly. “I have participated in the 90 day coaching provided through Business Acceleration Services several times and have been with the same excellent coach for the last three sessions."
The Power of Partnerships
Rodney’s entrepreneurial journey gained another boost through Sunshine’s affiliation with retail giant Target’s Accelerator Program (Hands On Twin Cities). The Target team helped rebuild his WordPress website and taught him invaluable lessons about marketing and event planning. Rodney recalls "I gained a better understanding of event marketing. Defining the purpose and desired outcomes of our event marketing efforts."
“Reflect on what you really want from your business and why you are starting it. Talk to entrepreneurs of all types and ask them about their journey. Also, focus on building value, not profit. Embrace failures and learn from them. Consistency over perfection. Network and build relationships. Stay agile and adapt.”
RODNEY also recommends a few must-read books for entrepreneurs, including:
“The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries
“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek
“The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki