Rising Stars: Meet Dave Mitchell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Mitchell.

Hi Dave, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi my name is Dave Mitchell and my musical journey started when I was only six years old. My parents loved listening to music around our home, and something ‘good’ was always playing.

There was a distinctive time (that I still vividly remember) when I heard the song “Can’t Help It” by Michael Jackson on his ‘Off The Wall’ album. It’s hard to describe exactly what I felt and experienced, except to say it was celestial.

That way that song made me ‘feel’ made a big impact on me. I remember saying to myself, “Whatever this is that’s giving me this feeling, I’ve got to be around it.” A few years later, my mother became the entertainment manager for the Playboy club in Chicago and began working with a band that would eventually moved their rehearsals to our house.

Out of all of the instruments there, I was mesmerized by the drums. I was fascinated that so many pieces could be assembled to be the ‘heartbeat’ of the band. I began to watch the drummer, and before long, I could anticipate what he was going to do. I started playing the songs that they were rehearsing. I believe God saw my curiosity and decision that I made prior by saying, “Whatever this is that’s giving me this feeling, I’ve got to be around it.”

He blessed me with the gift and opportunity to play drums with several musical artists and groups in the Chicagoland area. While attending a new church in Chicago, I noticed the sound system that the sound guy would set up and run. Similar to the drums, I was intrigued by the level of importance it carried. After some time, I began helping him by choosing the music to play after the service was over. Less than a year later, he shared some interesting news with me saying“Dave, I’m leaving…” I responded with a calm, “ok, what time will you be back?”

He says no, I’m not coming back I’m turning this over to you, suddenly, I was filled with anxiety and serious disapproval of his decision and timing, thus my audio engineer journey began. I was fourteen years old and now this new weekly responsibility is both exciting and nerve-wrecking. It was an OJT (On the Job Training) without formal training (outside of what he gave me). Today it’s been thirty-five years of sound and music production, and I’ve realized that audio is the most important department of any event and organization.

Having gained associates and friends in the TV/video world, I didn’t realize how much they were rubbing off on me until I was presented with an opportunity to produce a video promo for one of my sister’s workshops in Florida. It was then that I realized media was very attractive to me. I attended Columbia College Chicago, and I’m grateful to have had (and still have) mentors in my life to share their wisdom, advice, and example with me.

I was exposed to business through my church’s youth program called ‘Partners.’ It was an impactful experience for me and the others who participated. There we learned business principles, took amazing field trips, and learned things such as how to conduct a sales pitch and run a business. We even had a sales competition selling cartons of eggs (which I won), a Top Salesman award with an engraved watch among other prizes for my effort. It meant a lot to me and still does to this day.

One of the Partners program assignments was to create a vision/dream board, mine consisted of recording studios, music, audio, media, business, etc. I’m happy to share that it has all come true as I recently signed the lease to my very 1st studio in the West Loop of Chicago. Dreams come true when you trust God and put in the work of patience and persistence. Today I own and operate my own company called Renewed Mind Inc. its business model is comprised of 5 ‘M’s: Music, Media, Marketing, Management, and Mentorship.

I recently partnered with a new men’s skincare brand called Dion Michaels Skincare, out the gate, this partnership allowed me to participate in recent campaigns and produce, edit, and provide television commercials that are set to air nationwide. I have been blessed to do what I love while serving others with my skills, gifts, and talents.

What started with being a drummer has evolved into songwriter, producer, author, consultant, mentor, and mogul. There’s so much more in the days ahead, and I’m just getting started.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Haha, absolutely not, nothing of quality, value, or longevity is a smooth road. One of my struggles as a kid was comparing myself to others. I’ve heard it said that “The quickest way to destroy something special is to compare it to something/someone else.”

It was a struggle because of the lack of resources. I struggled with being patient and being ok with the process of growth and development.

I really believe that things aren’t always easy, but they’re worth it.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What do I do? Whatever it takes (insert winking emoji). I am in the field of communications, and I specialize in audio recording, music production, and media development. I’m known for quality, vision, and ideas to help structure a more effective experience for the end-user.

I’m most proud that I get to do what I love, the very thing I said to myself as a child was to be around music to stay connected to that magic feeling and being an example to my daughter to pursue the dreams that move you. What sets me apart from others is my relentless pursuit of vision and wanting to help others pursue theirs as well.

What does success mean to you?
I define success as reaching maximum potential, along with happiness.

Contact Info:

• Email: dave@renewedmindinc.com
• Website: renewedmindinc.com
• Instagram: @renewedmindinc
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/renewedmindinc
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/renewedmindinc
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/renewedmindmusic
• Other: https://tinyurl.com/RenewYourMindBook