“If I’m going to affect change in any way, the best way to affect change is to amass some form of money to execute those changes and I feel if you’re doing positive change, something that’s going to help people...then you are leaving the world a bit of a better place.” – Mark Holmes

Born in Mansfield England, Mark Holmes is a Canadian rock star icon who together with his bandmates Sergio Galli, Kenny MacLean and Chris Steffler formed the legendary ‘80s band Platinum Blonde. From 1982-83 they performed over 200 nights together as a Police tribute band, firmly securing their spot on the university and club circuit. This environment gave them the chance to write and rehearse their own music, while immersed in performing the music they loved.
In 1983 they signed a recording deal with CBS which shot their career into high gear and captured a new wave audience with hit songs like “Doesn’t Really Matter”, “Situation Critical” and “Standing in the Dark”. With this recording deal, they could also embrace a new art form that was becoming imperative to the success of recording artists: music videos. With high rotation on Canada’s MuchMusic network, their signature look and their hit music, Mark, Sergio, Kenny, and Chris rode the new wave movement to its pinnacle.
A musician first, Mark is ever evolving, and not interested in riding on past success. He firmly believes we must keep moving forward and evolving to remain on the cutting edge. Mark stays relevant and interested in the progress of music through writing new music, producing, touring, and releasing new albums with Platinum Blonde in 2012 called Now or Never and a solo album. Embracing another side of the business, Mark is the co-founder of the Mod Club nightclub in Toronto, and together with his son he is involved with raising capital to support start ups and emerging business.

Mark has no interest in retirement or resting on his laurels. He has verve, tenacity and heart and all three are leading the way.

 



Show Notes
[01:57] Patrick introduces his next guest, rock ‘n roll legend and entrepreneur: Mark Holmes
[04:00] Mark and Patrick rock and roll into Mark’s elevator pitch, which spans from music to finance and start ups.
[06:44] Mark expands a little on what he’s up to on the finance side of his well-rounded pitch and how markets must adjust when new and improved products or ways of doing business arise.
[09:36] Broadening that conversation, Mark gives examples of how innovations in business can generate more business ideas to piggyback them, thus creating its own new industry. Similarly, as musicians progress, they start creating cutting edge styles and ideas, which open up new sounds and experiences for listeners.
[11:27] Keeping himself current and leading edge lets Mark take his ideas, research them and put the winning ones into action. Things change; we have to adapt.
[13:33] Mark talks about a trading app he’s advocating which is another technology that keeps him on the leading edge and current.
[14:59] Mark explains how he got interested in one of his newest start ups in stem cell cosmetics. He sees the opportunity to not only help other people but leave the world a better place by being in contribution.
[18:39] Going back to Mark’s beginnings from Great Britain to Canada, he talks about getting started with his rock band Platinum Blonde in the ‘80s, the challenges of the industry in that era and the warm embrace he received from Canada.
[24:29] How the lure of a James Bond style movie he saw as a boy became the catalyst for Mark’s dream lifestyle. His outlet of choice was to become a rock star. So, he went ahead and did that.
[27:33] A little talent didn’t hurt so as Mark progressed with his song writing and singing, he also learned to play the guitar in short order and started his first band.