Stephanie Seiple-McKie/Regional Promotion Mgr-NE 1608/Reviver Records

4. Do you think the #MeToo movement will help improve things for women in music? Something needed to be rattled for serious change which is what we’re seeing now with the #MeToo movement. So I’m excited about the future, I just hope that it’s an honest and validating future. I recently heard some negative chatter about women only getting senior level positions right now just because it will look better for a company. That way of thinking is taking 2 steps back. Diversity and inclusion are big issues overall that need to be worked on from the top down. A company's staff should reflect more of what we look like as a country today and those who are music creators all inclusively. So I think the movement has started and I’m hopeful we’ll stay on the path.

5. What needs to be done to improve the communication between older and younger women? One issue I’ve seen is younger women not respecting veterans in the industry. Older women can provide years of priceless experiences and knowledge that you will never find in a classroom or a book. But I’ve also witnessed older women who look at younger women as a threat or simply that they have nothing to offer them. Realistically, not everyone who comes across your path is going to be worth your time. Some young women simply are not cut out for this industry, and they will get flushed out after time. And some older women in this business are just not good teachers or mentors. But I think the key is to just give each other more chances and opportunity to communicate, work together on a project - you just might surprise yourself what you can both gain from working as a team vs treating each other like the enemy.
6. Who is your model for entertainment ? Richard Branson. He started and empire label with Virgin, and was smart enough to not just put all his eggs in one basket. He keeps expended on his successes by creating and investing in other exemplary business ventures, but at the same time donating so much time global to charity and doing that continuously. He also believes in people first when it comes to creating a team. I too believe your team is 100% part of your success. I just hope one day to have enough income to do all the charity work he does! I’m looking forward to reading his new autobiography.

7. Where do you see the role of women in entertainment growing? Everywhere. I think we are going to see a lot more women being hired into management, and leadership roles, as well as greater recognition for women in production, women getting their own imprints under major labels, etc. But again I think we’re just scratching the surface. Men in general, in ALL professions get paid more then women. So it’s not just women in music, but I hope that with things like the #MeToo movement and the power behind it, we start to see women being more respected, taken more seriously, paid equally, and taking on more leading roles in companies globally.