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Hi, I'm Sarah. I'm 26 and run my own business, as well as being a creative consultant on many other projects.

This site is my guide to being a successful female entrepreneur. No bullsh*t, just straight talking advice and tips from someone who's been there and made the mistakes so you don't have to!

S x

 

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Who Is Sarah Akwisombe?

Gaining a steady reputation as an entrepreneur and businesswoman, Sarah Akwisombe has become something of a leader for the young, alternative and ambitious. At only 26 her candid, straight talking, outrageously ambitious persona has gained her many fans and followers. Whilst paving her own way in business, she gives back to the community by organising and delivering creative projects for young people.

Sarah first made her name as a music producer and performer. At the age of 19, after writing songs and not being able to find anyone willing to produce backing tracks for her, she took initiative to enrol in music college and learn how to produce her own tracks, and was one of the few females on the course. Through working with rappers at college, she often found herself having ideas for lyrics and ways rappers could improve their recordings. Not long after, Sarah herself started rapping, singing and producing her own tracks under the artist name of Goldielocks. Within a year she was under one of the top management companies in London and had signed a publishing deal with Puregroove/Universal, after using the power of social networking to build a solid fanbase. After interning at a studio in London she met Tinchy Stryder who used one of her beats for his debut album, which featured Goldielocks on the hook. Her publishing deal with Puregroove / Universal soon led her to the company of Mike Skinner’s new label, The Beats. There she did remixes and production for the early careers of The Mitchell Brothers, Example and Professor Green. 

Sarah soon saw a gap in the market for a live urban club event, and founded the successful night ‘Hardknock’ which showcased live performances from Professor Green, Tinie Tempah, Example, Ruff Sqwad and more. After a few years, Goldielocks was established as one of the primary female producers and urban acts in the UK, having worked with Benga, G Frsh, Ghetts and more. In 2008, Sarah was chosen as one of only 60 participants in the world to take part in the Red Bull Music Academy in Barcelona.

After the success of Hardknock, Sarah decided to end the Hardknock brand on a high and make space for her next venture, 'On The Buttons', which began it's life as a bi-monthly music production education event with interviews and advice from the likes of Loefah and Eric Lau. Sarah soon convinced worldwide brand AKAI to do live demonstrations of their latest MPC’s at the event which was hosted at Red Bull’s London studio and sponsored by her music college, CM.

Around the same time as this was happening, Goldielocks had decided after years of working independently and releasing her own music, that it was time for it to have a home. She created the independent electronic music label Gut Instinct Records and released her own music alongside some from her college friend, Kashmir Kid. Not long after launching, tracks were licensed by Ministry of Sound and film production company Revolver.

By 2010, Goldielocks had a highly successful independent career, having played for festivals around the world such as Sonar, SXSW and T In The Park and worked with brands such as Nike, TFL, Marc Jacobs, Topshop, Tate Britain and Red Bull.

As the Goldielocks brand continued on, Sarah decided she wanted to put her skills in music production to use for a greater purpose. She worked as a youth music tutor for young people aged 13-20 who were often unemployed, young offenders or with special needs alongside her own career. In early 2011 she found hard to come-by funding and produced her own music industry seminar for young people in her home borough of Croydon. Sarah continues to be involved in many youth music projects to this day.

In late 2010, Sarah was requested to be the music supervisor on a new urban thriller movie from the makers of Adulthood, Shank and Anuvahood called ‘Sket’. The film focuses around a group of teenage girls and the growing concern of girl gang culture in Britain. Sarah was entirely in charge of choosing music for the soundtrack, and wanting the soundtrack to fit well with the female importance of the film she licensed music from the best of the female UK Urban scene, with music from artists such as Shystie, Mz Bratt, No Lay and Lioness. Sket stars Ashley Walters and Skins star Lily Loveless and is due for UK release in Autumn 2011.

Now Sarah has set her sights on building a business empire.

Firstly, Sarah has used the skills she built up during her musical career to help women start their own businesses and think of themselves as entrepreneurs, whilst becoming financially free. This site focuses on what it takes to build your own business and the challenges women face along the way. Written in a no-nonsense approach, her advice varies from clearing debts, to positive mindset and investing in the future (with a healthy dose of music, fashion and more!)

Sarah also has partenered with friend and make-up artist Lois Moorcroft to create The Glam Collective, a luxury makeover, makeup tutorial, tanning and beauty party business based in South London.

 

Work / Project History (2002-12 most recent first)

  • Associate Producer - Revolver Entertainment - Working with production team to source cast and assist with soundtrack.
  • Project Manager, Nineteen90 Arts - Working in partnerhsip with Croydon Council to plan and execute creative courses for young people in the Croydon borough.
  • Music Supervisor - Revolver Entertainment Choosing and licensing music for the motion picture 'Sket' (feature film starring Ashley Walters and Lily Loveless, from the makers of Shank, Adulthood and Anuvahood)
  • Youth Music Production Tutor - Barnet, Croydon and Camden council
  • Event Creator / Manager - Up The Tempo (Music industry taster workshops and networking event for young people in the Croydon borough)
  • Label owner and Manager - Gut Instinct Records
  • Event Creator / Manager - On The Buttons (Music production panel event based at the Red Bull studios, London)
  • Writer - Monthly column in The Croydon Advertiser on Croydon culture
  • Spokesperson - Red Bull Music Academy
  • Recording Artist / Producer - known as Goldielocks
  • Event Creator / Manager  - Hardknock (a monthly live music and DJ showcase featuring artists such as Tinie Tempah and Professor Green, based at The Social in London)
  • Studio Intern / Assistant - Overtones Music Studio, London