Meet Michael Zimmerlich | Entrepreneur and Podcaster

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Zimmerlich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I was a senior in high school I had class project to sell something to our fellow peers. So my classmate and I created a video “yearbook” in partnership with the school TV station. We didn’t sell many but it was such a rush that I made something for others to purchase that I knew then I wanted to be an entrepreneur.

During college I had two notebooks, one for class notes and the other became filled with business ideas. Ever since then I never stopped thinking about new opportunities and possibilities.

What should our readers know about your business?
My newest venture is a creative agency called Omelette Prevail, where we connect brands with creators such as music artists, podcasters, and streamers. This is an extension of my previous business, an independent record label called 80/20 Records where we pioneered offering 80% royalties to artists.

When I got into entertainment, specifically the music industry, I bought two books. One on music law and the other on record label marketing. The book on marketing I marked what made sense, what no longer made sense, and anything I couldn’t do at the time I worked something else out. Then found a sample contract and told a friend of mine who made electronic music to sign it and would find out how to get his music on iTunes. I’ve learned greatly by trial and error, but also found incredible peers in the industry along the way that gave me guidance. Over 15 years later the label has represented over 26 artists in various genres and released dozens of albums, singles, and music videos.

Since the pandemic I knew I wanted to do something different that not only collaborated with artists, but expanded to other creators as well. During the years of 80/20 Records I’ve worked with amazing brands and loved what we’ve accomplished together. So to me it was a natural progression to develop an agency that focused on that.

During this time, a good friend of mine who is a local radio DJ coerced me into doing a voiceover for an advertisement for an upcoming event we were working on together. Of course, as many, hated the sound of my own voice and didn’t feel I had the ability that she had when it came to audio. But I did it anyway and found random people at shows mention to me that they liked the radio spot. So then decided what if I started a podcast?

I’ve always loved meeting and talking to people, hearing their stories, where they came from and how they got to where they are today. Actually much like this interview. I wanted the podcast to reflect this so at first was an extension of the record label focusing on the music industry. But when I started Omelette Prevail I wanted the podcast to also expand, so naturally I changed the name of the podcast to its current name, Creatives Prevail.

Creatives Prevail is a podcast that focuses on the origin stories of creators, their representatives, founders, and marketers. I’ve been fortunate to interview musicians, podcasters, streamers, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and much more. Now the podcast has over 150 episodes and I love every minute of it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First stop would be Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix. Great music and amazing food. Of course being in the music industry would make a few more stops to venues such as Rebel Lounge and Last Exit Live.

For more food options would definitely make a trip to Pho Cao in Scottsdale, also a venue in fact and some of the best pho I’ve had in town.

Something more for tourists, even though it’s for locals as well, is the Music Instrument Museum (MIM). It’s an absolutely gorgeous facility that is rich in all kinds of instruments from cultures around the world.

Also I love movies, so would catch a matinee at Harkins Theaters (of course bringing my loyalty cup).

For some shopping choices if the timing works would catch First Friday in downtown Phoenix, or Collectors Marketplace in central Phoenix that has wall to wall pop culture collectibles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many that I could shoutout to but I couldn’t think of anyone greater or more impactful than my parents. I’ve been incredibly lucky to be brought up in a loving and supportive household. They have always been at my side through the good times and especially the tough ones. It also helps that both are successful entrepreneurs in their own right and have always looked to them for guidance and wisdom.

Website: www.oprevail.com

Instagram: creativesprevail

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelzimmerlich/