Hazel Savage’s journey to tech success is as electrifying as her entrance onto a stage in Soho, as a punk rocker. Her vibrant personality and powerful presence embody the essence of her extroverted nature. Hazel’s reflections on her extroversion, resilience, and deep love for music paint a picture of a driven and passionate individual whose success is rooted in being authentically her.
Extroversion, Resilience, and Love of Music
Hazel’s journey to tech success is as electrifying as her entrance onto a stage in Soho, as a punk rock performer. Her vibrant personality and powerful presence are evidence of her extroverted nature. Hazel’s reflections on her extroversion, resilience, and deep love for music paint a picture of a driven and passionate individual whose success is rooted in being authentically her.
Passion, Perseverance and Innovation
Hazel’s lifelong love of music drives her, influencing her work and inspiring others. For aspiring entrepreneurs, Hazel’s advice is simple yet profound: embrace resilience and grit, and don’t let rejection deter you from pursuing your dreams. Hazel’s extroversion and resilience have also been crucial in her journey.
Extroversion and Its Role in Hazel's Success
Hazel’s extroversion is a defining trait that has significantly shaped her journey. She uses her natural charisma and outgoing nature to build networks and seize opportunities. For Hazel, being an extrovert isn’t just about enjoying social interactions; it’s about leveraging those interactions to create meaningful connections and drive her career forward.
“I think anyone who knows me would say that extroversion is one of my overarching characteristics,” she says. This trait has been instrumental in her ability to hustle and navigate the challenges of the music and tech industries. Hazel’s extroversion also shields her from the sting of rejection. When faced with setbacks, her natural resilience kicks in, allowing her to view each “no” as a stepping stone rather than a barrier.
However, Hazel is quick to acknowledge the value of introverts. Married to an introvert, she understands that introverts possess incredibly powerful skills that complement her extroverted strengths. “My husband has a degree in maths and could tell you anything instantly,” she says, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing different personality traits in life.
Resilience: The Cornerstone of Success
From her early days in an all-girl punk band to founding Musiio and selling it to SoundCloud, Hazel’s journey is marked by her ability to persevere through challenges. Raising money pre-revenue was one of the most stressful periods of her life. Yet, her resilience kept her moving forward, determined to see her vision come to life.
“The ability to continue and press forward in the face of some people’s reluctance is crucial,” Hazel states. This mindset has been vital in her career, especially during the early stages of Musiio when she had to secure clients and prove the value of her AI technology.
A Lifelong Love of Music
At the heart of Hazel’s journey is her profound love of music. Growing up in a household filled with rock music, courtesy of her parents, Hazel’s passion for music was ignited at a young age. This passion continued to grow, influencing her decision to pursue a career in the music industry.
Despite the lack of a clear career path initially, Hazel’s made inroads into the music industry. She landed jobs at HMVand companies like Shazam and Pandora providing her with the knowledge and skills to navigate the industry. Founding Musiio was a natural progression of her love for music and technology, combining her expertise in both fields to create something innovative and impactful.
From Idea to Acquisition
Musiio’s development was rapid and intense. With the help of her co-founder, Aaron, Hazel managed to create a minimum viable product within two months. Their complementary skills and strong partnership were key factors in securing their first investment of 1.2 million dollars. Despite immense pressure and challenges, Musiio signed its first three customers within six months, marking a significant milestone.
Musiio’s success eventually led to its acquisition by SoundCloud in 2022. This acquisition allowed Musiio’s technology to integrate with SoundCloud’s vast music library, creating a more powerful and comprehensive platform. Hazel’s ability to land this acquisition is a testament to her resilience and unwavering commitment.
Empowering the Next Generation
Now serving as the Vice President of Music Intelligence at SoundCloud, Hazel continues to influence the music tech industry. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology to grow the industry and create more opportunities for artists. As an angel investor, she is passionate about supporting other founders, particularly women in tech, believing that diversity in investment leads to more innovative and successful startups.
