A drummer with a dream of going pro, Tyler Weiss has played country bars in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and “on the boats” in Miami, and launched hip-hop group Fluent in Taiwan.
But it wasn’t until Weiss re-connected with childhood friend and artist Kody Sabourin that a new dream emerged: producing film and other creative work together.
The result is Goldtooch Creative Agency Inc.: a video game trailer company that has expanded to 65 staff from 10 since its 2008 launch.
Weiss, who studied music at the University of Saskatchewan and sound engineering at Recording Arts Canada, drives all things audio for the company.
Business partner Sabourin said Weiss’ diverse musical skill set made him an ideal partner.
“I hadn’t seen anybody with so many different skill sets,” Sabourin said. “I hadn’t seen anybody like him from the music side. He can play anything.”
Even with lots of talent in their court, Weiss says growing Goldtooth confronted both partners with their lack of business experience.
“It’s two artists that started a company and now we’re expected to be business people – in one day,” Weiss said.
But he said Goldtooth set itself apart with a business model that marries a creative agency and a production studio, creating time and cost efficiencies for clients. He added that drive and long hours have propelled the company to its current $5 million in annual revenues.
“We had to be very hungry,” he said. •
