From Intern to Music Executive: Mike Baro on Major Labels, Ownership & Building an Empire

Send us Fan Mail A career in music rarely starts with a corner office. It starts with showing up, carrying crates, putting in work for free, and finding a way to be useful before you’re “qualified.” We sit down with Mike Baro, CEO and founder of Remaking and a longtime music executive who worked his way from intern to VP across the Universal Music Group ecosystem, to unpack what that climb really looks like when the industry keeps reinventing itself. We talk through the real pivots: building DIY regional DVDs to create demand, turning internships into lasting relationships, and learning the “think two steps ahead” mindset that keeps you from getting trapped in a role you’re too good at. Mike also breaks down modern music industry economics, from CDs to streaming to the resurgence of direct-to-consumer. If you’ve ever wondered why playlist placement is such fierce competition, what record labels still do better than independent artists, or why community-building on Discord, WhatsApp, and Patreon is changing everything, you’ll get a clear, insider view. Then we widen the lens into storytelling and culture. Mike shares why he moved from music into film and TV producing, what he’s building with new formats that blend food, heritage, and performance, and why Las Vegas feels like an emerging creative and entertainment frontier beyond the Strip. His upcoming docuseries aims to peel back the curtain on the real Vegas, from untold history to the people who make the city run. If you enjoy conversations about careers, creativity, business, and culture, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.