Most music industry hopefuls don't have a clear idea of where they want to go right off the bat. Instead, they have an undying hunger to be in the eye of the storm. Many begin as fans, finding solace in live music and the community they foster at shows. Eventually, more magic unfolds, and unexpected doors open at the exact right time. For Brandy-Baye Robidoux, her story started eerily similarly to my own. Before she took her rightful place as an Marketing Lead at Hopeless Records, she spent her days the same way I do- writing articles for music publications."I went to journalism school," she explains. "I knew I wanted to write about music and write for music magazines, ideally."I started this series as a deep dive on successful women in the industry as a feeble attempt to shed light on vastly misunderstood roles. The biggest surprise? I learned the number of people who started in the same humble beginnings as I did: curiosity leading to music journalism. Label Marketing Leads and PR reps have found themselves in similar positions, with sheer passion leading to unexpected success stories. The modern economy is often materialistic, driven by numbers. However, these stories serve as reminders that sometimes, it takes pure drive to get there. Both of my interviewees expressed that they desired to be in my position. #blessedInitially, this surprised me; wouldn't your goals be bigger than simply plucking away at keyboards for pennies at a time? Then, I realized why I started- unbridled passion for specific artists and sounds. Moreover, the circles I swam in were ridiculously small and hardly recognized by the mainstream. Robidoux found herself exactly paralleled to me, floating around the same Warped Tour bands I did until something clicked. "I think the editorial world is a good glimpse into the music world as a whole because you're working on set, you see there are stylists, music photographers and videographers, and all these different walks of life come together to make one piece of art come to life. It was definitely an eye-opening experience and a good way to see all these different career paths," she asserts.The music biz is quite the enigma. Everyone who loves the art can feel in their bones that they want to do it. However, the difficult part is getting started. There's this big misconception that you already have to know people or be extraordinarily wealthy to begin. The truth, though, is that many find that showing up opens doors they didn't know were there to begin with- take it from Robidoux. "I was so lucky to end up interning at Billboard."That kind of luck doesn't come naturally to most people. Truthfully, it didn't really for Robidoux, either. They say that it takes 10 years to become an overnight success, and that is certainly a more accurate description of her journey. "I do feel like I got my job (at Hopeless Records) from being so immersed in the pop-punk scene."The road to success is rarely linear, especially in the pursuit of a music career. Robidoux's journey highlights the truth behind the curtain. It tends to take one or more efforts before you find what sticks. Actionable, consistent steps tend to help you get your foot in the door and find some direction.Internships, while controversial, are pivotal stepping stones for many. Robidoux likely wouldn't have found her place at Hopeless Records had she not begun at Billboard. If she did, it would have been a significantly longer and more complex journey. It began with a spark of niche passion, but she learned the key was to put herself in places where success would find her. For many, that's going to the same band's shows until people are a bit concerned. For others, that's leveraging opportunities like internships for bigger-picture goals, interests, or even fantasies."I haven't told many people this, but I actually got asked to be an actress in a lead role for a Hopeless artist's music video. I used the opportunity to introduce myself to the entire label on-site. My friends will be like, 'Wow, you're the queen of pop-punk.' Sure, I'm at the label now, but I've always had such a hand in this scene," she suggests.It's especially important to enter a career path like Robidoux's with an open mind. She had an idea of what she wanted to do but found something arguably more fulfilling. Similarly, I expressed disdain at the state of the industry in terms of standards- particularly towards artists who are over 25, like myself. A good label marketing lead will encourage people to look beyond those barriers and redefine what a successful music career looks like. "It's one thing if you're a pop star, making image your whole 'thing.' However, I think that if you're making art you believe in, you should put it out at any age."So, while record labels famously sign bands and discover the next big thing, there's a whole lot more to it than what meets the eye. Pros like Robidoux are constantly bridging the gap between labels and artists, making sense of ridiculous industry jargon. They build relationships with press outlets and artists, establishing meaningful connections. They have a hand in the production process, making sure things sound just right. Occasionally, they add another hat to their already toppling stack, overseeing marketing. Most importantly, though, they directly impact an artist's road to their dreams. Therefore, they need to have an undying hunger, feeling just as satisfied when their artists win as though they did it themselves- because they did.Robidoux is just one of many who had a nonlinear path to success. She networked constantly, leveraged opportunities, and stayed authentic in her pursuit. As a result, her drive and consistency put her at the right place at the right time. Though tempting, straight lines toward success are terribly rare. Her story proves that commitment and passion are the true keys to making it in music.