Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is serial business-starter Christian Lunny, who started one of the world’s most successful music apps, as well as a leading Canadian advertising agency – and all at just 21 years old. We caught up with him to find out what inspires his work and what advice he would share with other young professionals…
WORK
Describe what you do in less than 140 characters. Go.
I build experiences for brands across North America and users all over the world.
What was the inspiration for your career route?
From a very young age, I was obsessed with building things. That led to my obsession with technology and computers. Once I discovered that through code, you could build anything, and through the internet, you could teach yourself to do anything, it was game over. I wanted to spend the rest of my life building things, which led to the world of advertising.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career so far?
Last year when I was selected to be a part of Marketing Magazine’s ’30 under 30′ list. As the youngest to ever be featured on the list it was really something special. Oh, and also when my music app, Musi, hit one million daily actives. That was insane.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years?
Five years from now I want my agency to have grown substantially. Whether that means 200 people or 500 I am not sure, but I know for a fact I want us to be working with the largest brands on the planet.
Ten years from now, I want to be starting to transition myself from managing my day-to-day business responsibilities to new ventures that are more innovation-focused. I still want to make a withstanding impact on the world through a product or tool.
Twenty years? My goodness. Hopefully relaxing on a yacht wondering how I managed to make it to 41. That is really old, yikes. But being honest, I want to be focusing my time on thought leadership, and whatever opportunities I have at my disposal, so hopefully building rocket ships and hanging out with Elon Musk.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Never take yourself too seriously.
No matter who you are, there is always another level. Realize you’ll never be the best, and then maybe one day you will actually become the best (without knowing it).
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is it (or they) important to you?
Yes. Through our agency, I have chosen to donate services to a variety of charities over the past few years. We have helped Fuck Cancer, and Variety. I think giving back is so important.
What is one major challenge that you’ve had to overcome in your career? How did you overcome it?
Age and experience.
I am incredibly young, and that has never been easy. Not a lot of people take you seriously at a young age, and when you blow them away it takes a few hours for them to pick their jaw up off the ground before they can start seeing you as a normal person to have a regular conversation with.
I didn’t go to university, nor have I ever had a real job. I have done a lot of cool stuff, however, and been involved in cool things, so that really helps bump up my score in the experience department.
What does the word notable mean to you?
Something someone should give a shit about. Something that stands out through all of the noise, and something worth looking into in for taking inspiration or advice from.
PLAY
Where is your favourite place to wine/ dine in your city and why?
Jacob’s steakhouse if I am in the mood for a steak and amazing wine, Fring’s if I want amazing food mixed with really sick music or Buca for the best Italian food. Toronto rocks for that stuff, and I just moved here so I’m still exploring.
What’s the most visited website on your Internet browser? The most played song on your phone?
Google.com – I’m serious. When I don’t know the answer to something (which happens a ton) I always look up the answer and memorize it for future reference. I hate not knowing stuff.
Music? Right now I am loving the whole Blonde album by Frank Ocean. But if you ask my friends its Cold Water by Major Lazer and Bieber.
Who’s one person you think everyone should be following on social media?
@ChristianLunny.
But seriously, find the person who champions whatever it is you want to do and follow them closely. Learn from them, adopt their habits, and eventually, evolve past them.
What’s your favourite country to visit and why? And what’s the next one you plan on travelling to?
I haven’t seen enough of the world to answer that definitively, however, I love England, specifically London. It’s so proper and refined, it’s wicked.
I want to go to Australia. Very soon.
What gives you the greatest FOMO?
Anything and everything.
As I get older I am getting a bit more comfortable being more laid back, however, if I go more than a minute without doing something or travelling somewhere or diving head first into an opportunity, I freak out.
My entire life is FOMO until I manage to do, see, eat, and explore everything.
And finally, what does success look like to you? Work, play, or otherwise…
Success means two things: Doing whatever you want whenever you want, and being tremendously happy.
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