At 18, Jacklyn Krol decided to make a website that would get fans questions answered from their favorite musicians, actors, and entertainers. Since creating Stage Right Secrets LLC the team has conducted over 400 interviews and have staff worldwide.
Tell us a little about yourself and your experience.
Hi I'm Jacklyn Krol. I wear a few hats: I am the Editor In Chief of Stage Right Secrets, I'm an intern at The Recording Academy (Grammys), I also do freelance touring and work local shows. I've been a merchandise manager, tour manager, PR assistant, production assistant, stagehand, and VIP assistant.
What drove you to choose your career path?
I was actually set on gymnastics as a career path until I saw a concert and sat behind the soundboard and watched the crew working their tails off to put on an arena show. After that I was hooked.
How did you go about getting your job? What kind of education and experience did you need?
I started street teaming originally at 16. My first volunteer gig was Vans Warped tour then a couple years later I got on the tour! I'm finishing college taking online courses from Indiana University to eventually get a stay at home job in the music industry. For getting jobs in the music industry I think volunteering and interning are the ways to go! I started Stage Right Secrets on a whim because I was tired of hearing the same questions in interviews with my favorite bands, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
What do you actually spend the majority of your time doing?
At The Recording Academy I've done work in different areas and departments. It’s really insightful to get to work with so many different people. Tour Managing is in my case is taking care of a band's day to day activities like press, escorting, meet and greets, soundcheck, etc. Merchandise is an area I think is overlooked and underappreciated, I've only done merch at local and Midwest shows but the load ins, load outs, counting, handling money, dealing with the same questions 500 times is something I couldn't do 365 days of the year. SRS is dealing with emails all throughout the day including weekends, and scheduling.
What misconceptions do people often have about your job?
Traveling getting to see the states is more like seeing venues and hotel rooms (if you're lucky). The time I spend on SRS is 365 days a year, since creating it there hasn’t been a day I haven’t worked on it.
What are your average work hours?
It varies, full days for any touring job. The music industry is always changing, I never have the same schedule.
What personal tips and shortcuts have made your job easier?
Being nice to people and having a positive attitude REALLY helps! Email is your best friend and respond to people as fast as possible. Learning to balance things is a great skill to have in any industry.
What do you do differently from your coworkers or peers in the same profession?
Anytime I can bring a fan to meet their favorite artist, I do. I'm really upbeat and am known as the coffee and chipotle girl, running for anyone who wants some. I try to make everyone smile and I think that goes a long way.
Do you have any advice for people who need to enlist your services?
Email me anytime: Jacklyn@StageRightSecrets.com
What's the worst part of the job and how do you deal with it?
Being away from home is the hardest thing, missing out on the college experiences and even some of high school has been rough. Relationships are really hard to keep and maintain. My job also made me not take in a pet since I'm gone almost weekly. I remind myself how lucky I am to be seeing some of the world, meeting such great people, and listening to awesome music.
What's the most enjoyable part of the job?
Getting to show my friends and family what I do is the best feeling. I've had a few friends think all I did was hang out with rock stars and they were surprised at how much work I do.
What kind of money can one expect to make at your job?
Each job is different, if you're only a few years in like me- enough to have an apartment and live a good life.
How do you move up in your field?
Hard work and experience.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to join your profession?
Develop thick skin, be healthy, and make good decisions. Be kind above everything else.