Music, Identity, and Entrepreneurship’ with Fabiola Méndez

The Dyer Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship hosted an inspiring workshop with Fabiola Méndez, an Emmy-nominated composer, Puerto Rican cuatro player, singer, and educator. The workshop was part of a larger, campus-wide visit sponsored by the Williams Arts Center, providing students with a rare chance to engage with a successful, self-employed artist.

Méndez’s discussion focused directly on the entrepreneurial strategies required to build and sustain a career in the arts. Her journey is a testament to the power of integrating one’s creative vision with savvy business practices. Méndez’s artistic work delves into the rich tapestry of her cultural heritage, ancestral roots, and personal identities, but her presentation illuminated how she built a business around that passion so that she could effectively spread her music.

Students learned that for the modern artist, entrepreneurship is essential. Méndez detailed the many hats she wears: not just as a composer and performer, but also as a brand manager, educator, and financial planner. The conversation covered practical aspects of managing a creative career, including booking, fundraising, and utilizing digital platforms to connect with her community and audience.

This session demonstrated that the entrepreneurial mindset—defined

by initiative, resourcefulness, and value creation—is absolutely critical for artists who seek to maintain creative control and build a career that truly reflects their passion for both their craft and their community.