An Interview With Stanley Bronstein
Enjoy the journey on the way to your destination
There is no timeline for true authentic success
Fall in love with yourself and your work
Invest in your dreams as much as you can
Never be afraid of failure or criticism; use it to make you stronger
As a part of our series about stars who are making an important social impact, I had the pleasure of interviewing Daisy Close.
Daisy Close is a twenty-one-year-old American-Peruvian singer, songwriter, actress, and model based in Los Angeles. A current student at UCLA, she is defining what it means to pursue your dreams while making a social impact towards raising funds and awareness for mental health in America. She talks more about her mission and her journey throughout the music industry with us below.
Thank you so much for joining us on this interview series. Can you share with us the backstory that led you to this career path?
Thank you so much for having me, Medium! Absolutely, my backstory mainly consists of me being an only child with an ambitious spirit and hunger to make it big in the entertainment world. Ever since I was young, I knew that my dream was to become a singer and songwriter, and I was willing to do whatever it took to make my dreams come true. My passion and love for performing only grew stronger over the years and has led me to this moment in my life where I feel I am closer than I have ever been to making my dreams come true. With each passing year I learn new things about myself and my artistry that take me to new levels and heights that I have never reached or seen before. I have learned a tremendous amount about the importance of hard work, dedication, consistency, and being self-motivated.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Definitely, I’ve made plenty of mistakes when it comes to my journey and pursuing my dreams. I look back on my mistakes and laugh because I know if it weren’t for those mistakes and failures, I wouldn’t be in the place I am right now. Our mistakes are what help us learn and step into the next chapter of success in our lives and chosen career path. The funniest mistake I made when I was first starting was probably my many horrific songwriting attempts when I first started songwriting at a very young age and was trying to explore my artistry and find my voice and who I was and wanted to become as an artist. I feel as a songwriter, you need to live a bit of life before you’re able to tap into those authentic emotions and storytelling abilities that the best of songwriters need. I started songwriting at a young age before I experienced a lot of emotional highs and lows, so a lot of my writing was about silly things looking back now, such as mean girls in school or feeling like I didn’t fit in with the rest of the students. I smile now looking back at my old songwriting journal because I know it formed that capacity for me to use songwriting as a way to heal and best express my feelings in song form.
What would you advise a young person who wants to emulate your success?
I would tell them to start honing their craft and passion however they can. Whether that’s taking classes, diving into experiences that allow you to learn in a hands-on environment, or simply working on their goals by learning from others and from worldwide applications. In this generation with the impact social media has on us all, there are unlimited resources not only for development and learning but also to network and receive opportunities like never before. The opportunities are endless, and there’s no limit to what you can achieve if you’re simply willing to put in the work and become this unstoppable and dedicated force when it comes to your visions and aspirations for your life.
Is there a person who made a profound impact on your life? Can you share a story?
Definitely, my mother, Nina Close, has made the most profound impact on my life. My mom was the one who saw my undeniable passion and love for performing and invested in my interests at a very young age by enrolling me in many classes, choirs, music programs, you name it. Having a supportive mother figure from a young age influenced me in so many ways. My mother is the strongest woman I know, and she has shown me the importance of having a dream and doing everything in your capacity to make it come true through an unwavering work ethic, dedication, and labor of love. Everything I do now in my life, I not only do it for myself and for my younger self to fulfill my dreams but also to give back to the woman who believed in me from day one and provide such a life as a thank you for her consistent support and guidance throughout my life. Even when it wasn’t easy for me and things weren’t taking off for me when I was just beginning, she has always believed in me and stood by my side through rain and shine, and for that I am eternally grateful.
How are you using your success to bring goodness to the world? Can you share with us the meaningful or exciting causes you’re working on right now?
I am using my success to bring goodness into the world in several ways. My mission behind my music and everything I do is to provide an outlet of healing and to bring more happiness and positivity into the world by doing what I love and what I do best. I feel that our world really needs that, especially now more than ever. Aside from wanting to leave a positive impact on the world through my music, I am partnering with Mental Health America through my debut EP, “I don’t wanna feel anymore.” 25% of my proceeds from my EP will be donated directly to Mental Health America to help advance the mental health and well-being of everyone living in the United States. Mental Health America is an organization dedicated to advancing the mental health and well-being of all people in the U.S. Mental health is a vital aspect of our lives, yet many struggle to access the resources they desperately need. Together, we can make a meaningful impact. Your generous donations will help Mental Health America continue their essential work in our communities. Your support makes a difference in providing educational resources to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health issues and advocating for public policy changes that ensure better access to mental
health services for all individuals. Please join me in this collective effort to support Mental Health America. Every dollar counts and can bring hope to those in need.
Can you share with us a story behind why you chose to take up this particular cause?
Certainly, the reason behind the name “I don’t wanna feel anymore” on my debut EP is because I hope my album showcases how life, love, and everything in between is messy behind the scenes of it all and how it’s okay to let yourself feel everything — the good, the bad, and the ugly. I myself have faced mental health struggles, as I’m sure all of us have in one way or another, and hope that through my mission with Mental Health America we can be transparent about opening up about mental health obstacles and can break the silence and offer that much-needed reassurance as well as awareness and donations to help others who are struggling either publicly or in silence.
Can you share with us a story about a person who was impacted by your cause?
Yes, this story makes me so emotional because it just shows how many people struggle with their mental health in silence due to the pressure of facing judgment or criticism for speaking out about it. One girl in particular reached out to me through email after hearing my first single off my debut EP, “Trust Issues,” on the radio and said it provided her much-needed strength and reassurance, as she had just gotten out of an abusive relationship that was extremely toxic for her and her mental health, and she mentioned how it was so difficult for her to end the never-ending cycle of abuse she was experiencing and how she often felt trapped in that relationship at times. She was still going back to her partner and was on and off in the relationship after she broke up with him, as she felt guilty and ashamed for leaving him; however, she said hearing my song on her way to work brought her to tears and was the final piece of courage she needed to end things for good so she could live a happier and healthier life. She cut things off completely with him and is now thriving and falling back in love with herself. Hearing that story brought me to tears that my song that I wrote during a difficult period in my life was able to provide something positive for someone else and help provide someone else the healing that I needed during that time in my life. Music is truly the most magical because it is so influential in every aspect of our lives in one way or another.
Are there three things or are there things that individuals, society, or the government can do to support you in this effort?
Besides streaming my music to get funds donated directly to Mental Health America, individuals interested in supporting my mission can send donations directly to Mental Health America directly through their website as well as their GoFundMethat I am also a part of. Aside from raising funds for this cause, I believe the best thing others can do to support this cause is to be transparent about their mental health struggles and break the stigma that comes with talking about our mental health regardless of sex, race, or gender. Having others open up about their mental health and even being a listening ear to someone who needs it can save so many lives and just allow someone else a safe space to process their emotions, allowing them the reassurance they need to feel what they feel and know it’s okay to experience those feelings.
Why do you think music in particular has the power to create social change and create a positive impact on humanity?
I believe music in particular has the power to create social change and a massive positive impact on humanity because music is such a worldwide connector that has no barriers. Regardless of culture or demographic status, music is a universal language that everyone can understand and resonate with. I find that to be one of the most beautiful parts about music and making music as an independent artist, if not the most beautiful. You just never know who is going to be able to relate to your music and use it as a tool towards creating a positive outlook and inspiration on their life, goals, and dreams. My goal as an independent artist has nothing to do with fame, money, or recognition; it has to do with the lifelong legacy and lasting positive impact I wish to leave on this world. When others think of me, I want them to remember what my music meant to them and how it made them feel.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started”?
- Enjoy the journey on the way to your destination
- There is no timeline for true authentic success
- Fall in love with yourself and your work
- Invest in your dreams as much as you can
- Never be afraid of failure or criticism; use it to make you stronger
You’re a person of enormous influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Thank you so much; that means a lot coming from you! If I could start a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, it would be making mental health resources more affordable and accessible to those in need. Particularly to adolescents struggling with their mental health while enduring school and other activities in their life. I would like to break the stigma that comes with opening up about mental health, especially as seen in adolescents all the way to young adults in college.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? And can you explain how that was relevant in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote would have to be “consistency beats talent ninety-nine point nine percent of the time” or “just do it motivated or unmotivated because ultimately you’ll thank yourself later.” These are both relevant in my life because as much as I am a determined individual, I am also human, and I have days where I wake up unmotivated or in need of inspiration to get me going, so I always remind myself of these life lesson quotes and find myself back up on my feet enjoying the hustle in no time. When you love what you do, you don’t see it as work even when you might be tired. It’ll always be a labor of love to me.
We are blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
What a wonderful opportunity! Yes, I would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with Beyoncé. I just find her to be such an inspirational woman in the music industry that I look up to so much. She is a perfect example of a woman who has power through her voice, whether it’s onstage or off, and how she uses her fame and prominence in music to create good in the world and uplift others to do the same.
Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was so inspiring, and we wish you continued success!
Thank you so much for having me again, Medium. It’s such an honor to share my journey throughout pursuing my dreams in the entertainment industry with you and your readers. I hope I could just inspire at least one of your readers to take a risk and do the same!
About the Interviewer: Stanley Bronstein is an attorney, CPA, and author of more than 20 books. However, he doesn’t consider any of those his greatest achievement. His most significant accomplishment was permanently losing 225 pounds and developing the personal growth system that made it possible — The Way of Excellence. As a catalyst for change, he has dedicated his life to helping others maximize their potential, transform their lives, and achieve optimal health. To learn more, you can download a free PDF copy of his latest book, The Way of Excellence Journal, at HYPERLINK “https://thewayofexcellence.com/”https://TheWayOfExcellence.com.
Music Stars Making a Social Impact: Why & How Daisy Close Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.