Could you please tell me what is the one thing that Steve Aoki and Floyd Mayweather have in common? Besides the fact that both these women have remained in the spotlight for so long, they have both teamed up with the same tireless entrepreneur and professional connector: Michael Alexander, also known as “Mike the Connect.” An entrepreneur by trade and a specialist in the entertainment industry, Mike has dedicated his life to bringing the biggest stars of the entertainment world together with sponsorships, events, and each other. Despite the fact that Mike gained most of his success behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, it is his unique ability to connect with others that has thrust him into a spotlight all his own.
Since he began his career in the entertainment industry more than 10 years ago, Mike has visited over 70 countries in his capacity as a full-time entrepreneur. He has had the privilege of working behind the scenes with names such as Steve Aoki and Floyd Mayweather, as well as making the essential connections that help expand a brand or audience. The pictures on Mike’s Instagram account show him backstage with Justin Bieber, handling Elon Musk’s flamethrower, and boarding a private jet for a client.
I am in the business of connecting artists with industry professionals to grow their businesses and brands, and I am constantly challenged by ensuring that my best interests are always my highest priority.” Many artists are taken advantage of, and find it hard to believe that I am here to help them grow their business and brand.” Mike includes the following challenges in his interview with us: “The biggest challenge I face is making the artist feel comfortable enough to trust that my best interests are always my highest priority.”” A lot of artists feel taken advantage of and find it hard to believe
Putting in hard work and producing results is the best way for Mike to gain the trust of his clients. Rather than talking big or flashing shiny deals in front of potential partners, Mike prefers to put his nose to the grindstone and start producing results immediately. The work ethic Mike possesses, as well as his ability to unite even the most disparate strands of humanity in the entertainment business, has allowed him to form relationships with some of the world’s biggest stars.
Mike’s words reflect his work ethic perfectly when asked what advice he would give to those interested in following his career path. “My advice for anyone that may be trying to enter the entertainment business, is to do your research on every angle of the business so that you truly understand what you’re diving into,” says Mike. “A whole lot of people think that this business is just hanging around with celebs, partying, and traveling the world, but it’s not as easy as it seems. You will be putting in a lot of long work days, especially when you are touring, and you have to be prepared for that non-stop aspect of the job.”
Mike the Connect knows what it’s like to work long days on tour better than anyone else in the entertainment business. Mike is currently touring with names like Steve Aoki, who broke the Guinness World Record for most days touring five years in a row. Mike knows that even though it seems like the experience of a lifetime, every day on the road is demanding, both for the artist and those around him. Mike always needs to stay one step ahead of the curve, knowing the local music scene and knowing all the latest industry trends.
In the midst of the current pandemic, however, even Aoki’s tours have slammed to a halt. As Mike puts it, “a lot of touring and events are on pause at the moment, but that doesn’t mean that I stop connecting. Instead of touring, I’m shifting my focus to connecting artists with other artists, helping them produce some incredible projects together while the world is on pause. My hope is that these collaborations allow musicians to bounce back even faster after COVID-19, showcasing big names and bringing new artists into the mainstream.”
Mike the Connect is still connecting artists the world over despite the Coronavirus. Even though he may not be on stage next to Aoki or in the ring with Mayweather, Mike’s connections and expertise allow such artists and athletes to share their talents. With Mike’s help, the next generation of artists and athletes is ready to take the spotlight.
Do you want to see more behind-the-scenes content from your favorite artists?
Follow Mike the Connect on Instagram and Twitter for the latest news and exclusive backstage clips.
