The Manager's Playbook The Manager’s Playbook 035: Dan Gonzalez - Business Managers vs. Artist Managers, Catalogs, Royalties, Taxes & Wealth Strategy
Aug 19, 2025
Dan Gonzalez, a seasoned business manager in the music industry, shares his insights on the financial aspects of an artist's career. He explains how business managers serve as the CFOs of the music world, emphasizing the importance of smart financial strategies in avoiding bankruptcy. The conversation dives into the complexities of music catalogs as investments and the pivotal role of family offices in wealth management. Additionally, Dan addresses the impact of AI on business processes, highlighting how artists can structure their finances effectively for long-term success.
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Build Back-Office Systems Early
- Set up back-office systems early: taxes, W-8/W-9s, bookkeeping, and distributor onboarding.
- Treat a business manager as your finance intermediary who enforces legal flows and avoids payment mistakes.
Independent Finance Checks Protect Artists
- Business managers act as independent finance checks between artist and manager to verify payouts and expenses.
- That separation prevents conflicts and ensures transparency across deals and settlements.
Silo Revenue With Operating Entities
- Separate revenue streams into different operating entities as you scale (label, publishing, merch, touring).
- Use siloed companies to limit liability and protect high-risk operations like touring.
