CAREN KELLEHER

For as long as I can remember I wanted to work in the music business—first as a singer, then a stage designer, and then a record label talent scout. My most ambitious dream was to open a Beatles-themed restaurant chain akin to Hard Rock Cafe.

I’ve been lucky to work in music my whole career, but it was my experiences managing bands and then leading music app partnerships at Google that showed me how critical vinyl was becoming to the music industry—especially independent musicians without major record label support. I also learned how hard it was for artists to get vinyl made and the more I dug into the problem, I saw an opportunity to bring some new thinking to an established industry to help these artists. ARMA was the first group I called on when I moved to Austin in 2017 and it made a huge difference in the trajectory of Gold Rush Vinyl.

I love seeing an artist pick up their vinyl here at the factory—something they have worked tirelessly to create for years—now fully realized. They trust us with their hard work and dreams, and it means so much to me and the team when we get to turn it into a record that will live on forever.

I’ve always dreamt of going to Tokyo. I’m fascinated by Japan—its manufacturing discipline, its culinary scene, its political history—you name it. I especially love how much the Japanese still embrace vinyl despite it otherwise being a very tech-forward culture.

On the Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Disney’s California Adventure Park. It’s important to remain a kid at heart, no matter your age.

Gummi Bears, especially when I’m stressed out. My team can tell if it’s been a tough day if I break out the Haribo.