Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave and Kate Gregory.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
She’s a ramen enthusiast, he lives life one taco at a time and we’ve both decided we would rather live through a series of spectacular failures than coming to regret our safe surroundings one day.
Married in 2010 and calling Dallas home since 2011, we’ve created several things together – except babies, we’re staying clear of that for a while! Together, we’ve recorded two albums, launched a local concert-series called Tacos and Tunes and are currently working on a project to unite creatives in the DFW area. A typical week includes writing songs about things we wish we understood better, vlogging unashamedly in public and long coffee dates where we edit, develop or strategize around content.
We try to never be too satisfied with what we’ve accomplished or too self-critical of what we’ve created and above all else, we believe in collaboration above competition.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s hard to narrow it down to just a few struggles. Like anyone, we’ve wrestled through our share of insecurities, failures and a nasty habit of comparing ourselves to others.
If there’s one struggle that stands out more than the others, I think it’s been finding the right people to surround ourselves with. Life is too short and opportunities are too few to surround yourself with people who will only make you doubt yourself. The same can be said for people who will never challenge you to grow and be better but will let you settle for less than your dream.
It’s a fine line to balance between the two but we believe that if you want to be great, it’s worth the time and effort it takes to seek out and surround yourself with other great people. Those are the people who won’t sugar coat your failures but will still remind you that you aren’t defined by them.
We look for three main things in the people we surround ourselves with. People who execute, collaborate and have vision.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
We’re musicians, we’re videographers, travelers and a few other common creative descriptors, but what we hope we’re known for the most is our desire to strengthen and shape the creative community in our city.
The best example of this that I can think of is our concert series Tacos and Tunes. As artists ourselves, we founded Tacos and Tunes to find more meaningful ways to connect with an audience, but what we found there went well beyond our own personal journeys as musicians.
We found that artists need each other just as much as they need fans – they need the connection backstage just as much as the interaction from the stage. We found that it’s more rewarding to collaborate than it is to compete. So before anything else, we want to be known as advocates for the creative.
We’re happiest when we hear that people find the same special connections at one of our shows that we have. Whether they find it as a performer, as an observer, or as a volunteer, we hope that their place in this community is full of conversations and interactions that reward and challenge them.
The music, the videos and other creative projects we make – those are all the icing on the cake. If we can do things we love with people, we love then we can live happily. But if we can empower others to find and shape their own creative communities, then we’re really on to something.
What were you like growing up?
Dave: I was quieter than most think. I wanted to be liked enough to try and make people laugh but I was also shy enough to stay away from all of the major school activities like choir, theater or sports. I think I spent most of my time with a few close friends or alone in my room writing bad songs.
Kate: I’m a twin and I have a sister a year and a half older. My parents couldn’t afford all the extracurricular activities and so we mostly played outside and made up our own games. We would also hustle (in the cutest of ways) and make a couple of bucks offering to clean peoples yards or to babysit!
Contact Info:
- Website: wearedaveandkate.com
- Email: wearedaveandkate@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearedaveandkate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareDaveandKate/
- Other: tacosandtunes.com
Image Credit:
Victoria Vidana (@Victoria.Vidana)
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