Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Mars.
Hi Alex, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have been working with media since my first job, not all of my jobs have been with media, but my life has always circled back to media creation. I only started taking it seriously once I was in college and received some compliments from peers. After that, I was wondering what I could do to either make or save money with a camera, and that’s how I got into concert photography.
I reached out to everyone I could think of to exchange content for access to shows, and eventually ended up being contacted by several publications via social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. I was spending all of my money at the time on concerts and this seemed like a great way to get “in the door” and save some money. These opportunities provided me with so much experience in the industry, from covering events like Bonnaroo, Hangout, Imagine, Roskilde, and more – I was creating content in the USA and internationally, which was a dream come true.
I worked with them for some years and I’m very grateful for the experiences, but eventually, I ended up creating Glasse Factory because I wanted to work for my own publication and be able to grow it in ways that are more modern vs. traditional. I still like to use some traditional elements, but I think with media you always have to be trying something new to stay relevant – and I wanted to explore these ideas more.
Luckily, other creators were into some of the ideas as well and from there the company has expanded into journalism, content creation, artist services, consult, playlisting, internship programs, and more.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not. There have been a lot of trying experiences, as well as learning experiences, that have really pushed me in ways that I am happy to say that now I could handle much better now, than when I was younger. I believe that communication is the best thing anyone can get experience with. A lot of people communicate differently, and sometimes you have to think outside of the box to reach compromise or even be on the same page as each other.
This is a challenge on its own because the only way to practice communicating is by communicating a lot with others, which can just be challenging naturally.
Once you are able to understand the meaning of each other’s messages, it’s up to the parties involved to all make their decisions; but being able to communicate calmly and efficiently, especially in high-pressure environments, things get a lot easier and less stressful.
Overall, I think these experiences are/have been guiding my life in a way that makes me really happy with what I’ve been able to do so far, and motivated for more in the future. I still feel like I have a lot to get done.
We’ve been impressed with Glasse Factory, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Glasse Factory is a music and arts media platform dedicated to offering innovative original content that advances the modern cultural conversation while promoting an eclectic, exciting collection of up-and-coming talent. Launched by creatives, for creatives, what began as a photojournal in 2019 has developed into a multifaceted organization that features a seasonal magazine, an actively-updated website, radio stations, expansive artist services, and a steadily-growing presence on social media — including Twitch, Instagram, Tiktok, Discord, and Patreon.
I am most proud of our team and overall branding. It is really hard to find “your way in” to the industry, especially to find an environment that feels inclusive and as healthy as possible. We offer internships and programs that help develop individuals, creatives, freelancers, to help them get to the point they want to reach. Our team has a lot of love for what we’ve built and for the people joining in.
We are always working towards curating the best experience possible for the artists and creatives we work with, as well as the creatives/representatives within Glasse. It’s hard to find good training to be a professional in the entertainment industry, and we are happy to provide it to be able to say Glasse has the best contributors that will enhance the experience, not be a burden or uninformed about what they need to do.
For artists, we offer services that provide a lot of hands-on effort from our team. At Glasse, our whole platform started from wanting to be able to share the best things we found because we deserve more people should know or pay attention to them. We have competitive pricing, for thorough and strategic services.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Yes! I love the Quadio app. If you are creative, of any kind (photographer, singer, journalist, etc.), you should get this app. You can create your own profile, and it’s like LinkedIn for anyone in the industry specifically. They also offer unique opportunities to connect with industry professionals and artists.
Pricing:
- Glasse Factory Magazine Subscriptions (physical) only $6.50/moon Patreon!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.glassefactory.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/glassefactory
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/glassefactory
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/glassefactory
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8VP0DJmsW6DtQ8dwqg67tA
- Other: https://patreon.com/glassefactory
Image Credits
Alex Mars, Anna Stephens, Jamie Spinner, Troy Jackson, and Vince-Staples –
