Meet Rob Grass | Co-Founder of Nostalgia and Noise

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

Hi Rob, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Growing up, I was incredibly risk-averse, primarily because I felt I couldn’t afford to take certain risks. I was afraid of stepping outside of my comfort zone, allowing my fear to dominate my decision-making. I lived a safe life, focused on following the rules, being agreeable to those around me, and ensuring I did everything “right” according to the status quo.

It wasn’t until recently that I realized I had been living life the wrong way by avoiding risks at all costs. I began to understand how much more I could have achieved had I taken more risks. This realization ignited a sense of urgency in me, prompting abrupt changes in every area of my life. I changed my mindset on risks, and since then, I have felt happier and more fulfilled than ever.

I now firmly believe that nothing worthwhile in life comes easily, without anxiety, and without taking risks. New experiences are daunting because they are unfamiliar, and our brains instinctively go into protection mode to shield us from the unknown. However, I believe growth only happens when we step out of our comfort zones and take risks. Simply put, you won’t know if you’re good at something until you try it. Too many people spend their entire lives planning for that “one day”. They think, “one day I’ll ask her out” or “one day I’ll start a business,” but never actually take the leap. To me, not trying is a bigger risk than trying and failing.

I quit my job to start a business, which remains the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. I was terrified, but I realized I had a choice: either continue being scared of the unknown and let that anxiety hold me back, or learn to use it as a tool for success. Once I learned how to do this, everything in my life began to fall into place. The growth I’ve experienced over the past year is triple what I’ve ever experienced before. All it took was changing the way I viewed risks, and more importantly, the emotions felt when taking a risk.

Two years ago I think I lacked a true motivator. I say this because I firmly knew that if I stuck with the familiar, did my job well, studied hard in my MBA program, and made an effort to see friends, I would eventually become happy and successful. Now, as I take more risks, I’m happier than ever, more confident, healthier, and have an immense feeling of purpose. I think the reason I feel this way is because I’m now driven by two motivators: the desire to achieve something greater than I ever imagined and the utter need to avoid the potential hardships that come with failure. And I won’t accept failure.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Nostalgia and Noise (N&N) is an experiential marketing company and hybrid creative platform. We host a variety of unique events and experiences at different venues throughout Dallas that blend music and art. Our events are always one of a kind, ranging from a simple art show at Centre in Bishop Arts to a live painting experience at Greenlight Social in Deep Ellum where we had N&N artists spray paint our attendees’ clothes, allowing everyone to leave with an original piece of wearable art. Our online platform is similar to that of Etsy or Artsy, which are online marketplaces that allow artists to sell their work. However, our platform not only provides artists with a virtual point of sale, but we also provide them with supply chain management, access to our creative network and partnerships, a dedicated sales team that actively sells their products and services, involvement in N&N events, marketing, and more product optionality than any other platform in the current market. On top of that, we recently opened up our new art gallery concept located in downtown Dallas. Our model is simple, we want our gallery to be an experience for everyone who enters, not just a museum-like establishment where you simply walk around looking at artwork. You can still do that at our gallery, but we also have a lounge area where you can sit and socialize as well as eight art studios that N&N artists use daily. So you can come into our gallery to hang out with friends, enjoy the artwork on the wall, and even walk around the studios while watching artists paint live. Our studio artists also host a variety of painting classes and workshops in our gallery that anyone can sign up for. Within our studio, we have also just opened up a photography studio for brands to use throughout the month at low cost to shoot any content they wish.

My journey to this point is quite unique. Just a year ago, I was working in wealth management while obtaining my MBA and pursuing a career in finance. Today, I am the co-founder of a marketing company and hybrid platform focused on creatives. I’ve always been entrepreneurial, knowing that one day I would start my own business. The entrepreneurial path is incredibly challenging because your success depends entirely on your own hard work. It is lonely and filled with doubt, anxiety, and FOMO. I’ve experienced all these emotions, but I’ve managed to persevere by maintaining unwavering faith and belief in my idea and the positive impact it will have on creatives worldwide.

I’ve learned that success as an entrepreneur requires meticulous planning, thorough research, adaptability, and strategic thinking. Blocking out distractions and focusing on your goals is crucial. Most importantly, you must be your biggest believer, motivator, and fan. Losing faith in yourself means losing your dreams.

I want the world to know that Nostalgia and Noise is poised to make a significant impact in the community and the art industry, transforming the lives of millions of creatives globally. Whether you’re a creative or not, we provide an experience and community unlike any other in the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take them out to Greenville, Knox Henderson, Highland Park Village, and Deep Ellum to give them a full experience in social life in Dallas. I’d make sure they try a summer beer at Icehouse and a mambo taxi at Mi Cocina. I’d take them to the Nostalgia and Noise Gallery/Studio for a painting class and we’d go to terry blacks to fill that BBQ need. We’d go watch the Mavs play and stars play, play golf at Cowboys Golf Club, and watch some live music at the rustic.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, my family deserves the biggest shoutout. Their never-ending encouragement and belief in me and my abilities have made a lasting impression on me. They’ve supported me throughout my life and helped shape the man I am today.

Secondly, I need to acknowledge Woodberry Forest, the high school I attended. The leadership experience, discipline, and values instilled in me there have been pivotal to my development in every area of my life. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the foundation built while I was there. When it comes to who I am as a leader, a friend, and a hard worker, I attribute 100% of that to Woodberry.

Lastly, my Co-Founder and business partner, Ra Kazadi, has played a significant role in my growth. Not only has he become a best friend of mine, but he has also helped me grow in many areas of my life. We share similar values, characters, goals, and work ethic, which naturally creates a healthy competitiveness that motivates us to work harder. At the same time, our differences—such as how we approach problems, tackle responsibilities, respond to negativity, generate ideas, and plan—have allowed us to complement each other and grow together while building our company. I believe this synergy is a major reason for our future success. What I lack, he has, and what he lacks, I have. We are the perfect double-edged sword.

Website: https://nostalgia-noise.com

Instagram: @nostalgiaandnoise

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-grass-180415173/