Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Drinkard.
Dan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Seasick Records started in 2013 just a few months after I relocated from Memphis to Birmingham. I’ve been involved in music one way or another since I was 14 and always wanted to open a record store. I saw a need in Birmingham for an independent record store that sold both used AND new music. So, I jumped into it without really knowing what I was doing and figured it out along the way. We’ve been open for almost seven years and moved to our third, larger location in March 2020.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not always been smooth. The main struggles for me were the business side of things. Dealing with taxes, accounting, staffing, etc. I have no proper business background so I had to learn all those things as I went along. I definitely make a lot of mistakes, but the best way to learn in my opinion is by experience.
Seasick Records – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are an independent record store specializing in new and used vinyl, turntables, and more. We also have an in house barber shop called Birmingham Classic Cuts. They are technically a separate business, but we share a space. I am most proud of the community we’ve built around the store. It was our goal and has become a community gathering place and not just a retail store.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success can mean a lot of things. Obviously, being able to make money and keep a business going is a form of success. The fact that I get to work with my friends and share music with people every single day is all the success I need. I legitimately enjoy what I do and that’s really all that matters.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4420A 4th Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35222 - Website: seasickbham.com
- Phone: 205-677-3166
- Email: seasickbham@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/seasickrecords
- Facebook: facebook.com/seasickbham
- Twitter: twitter.com/seasickbham
Image Credit:
Myself, Matt Seward
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