How working with Martha Reeves and Candi Staton helped build my business career - Kate Hardcastle

There have been some brilliant “against the odds” showcasing of live entertainment, with socially distanced events such as Yorkshire-based blues star Chantel McGregor’s ‘Shed Sessions’ proving a hit with fans.

In addition to the blow of not being able to perform and earn, there came the slightly clumsy messaging from the Government suggesting that those highly skilled, passionate and talented individuals at the Northern Ballet et al, simply retrain into another profession.

There has been much anger and frustration directed towards the Government over these messages, which seemed to many to be dismissive of the careers that have been years in the making.

Most performers know exactly how to pivot and top up their income – I know a host of actors who also work in hospitality, musicians who teach and comedians who are also copywriters.

Perhaps the messaging, while being realistic about the situation, should have been sensitive to the skills many performers can bring to other industries, while we all try to deal with this life-changing pandemic.

I started life as a singer, supplementing my income with ‘other work’, and while my aim was always to engage and delight the customer, or the audience when I was a performer, my life evolved and my career now looks very different from the one I had originally planned.

I started at the age of 16 in the pubs and working men’s clubs across Yorkshire, before being fortunate enough to perform as a singer in the UK, USA and beyond.

I’ve had many ‘pinch yourself’ moments and performed as a backing vocalist for Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Candi Staton and Roachford, to name a few and sharing stages with legends from the soul, Motown, disco and musical theatre genres.

It may feel like the worlds of business and entertainment are worlds apart but touring the world for years and performing with global stars gave me amazing experiences which I still apply to my current career as a broadcaster and business consultant.

So many of my dear friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry are struggling to see the way ahead, but I believe they have so much to give in terms of applying their skills and experience.

Here are some of the ways I feel my skills as a performer have paved the way for me to be more than a typical business ‘suit’.

Audience engagement

Musicians and entertainers are well versed in engaging with an audience and delivering an experience relevant to the mood of the room.

This is transferable both as individuals in business, but also a wider business lesson – we must read our customers as we would an audience and respond and adapt to their needs accordingly.

If any role requires public speaking at conferences or events then a performer will naturally have the advantage of experience and confidence on the stage, whatever ‘show’, seminar or talk is being delivered.

Teamwork is everything

In entertainment, every single person is vital in delivering the show and the success of every performance is dependent on everyone supporting, knowing and working cohesively together with their band and tech team.

The soloist might enjoy the spotlight but they’re only as good as the team behind them and the same applies to business – your mission and values must be delivered from top to bottom and every single colleague performs best when you show them how valued they are.

We need our brilliant entertainment workers from performers to technicians, to realise just how valued they are and understand that they have a wealth of skills and experiences that can be applied to many more sectors – the stage might look a little different but you can still command the spotlight.

Kate Hardcastle is a business consultant