Since 2004, Mike has served as Business Manager for the multi-platinum hip-hop artist Nelly. Through restructuring Nelly’s apparel line Apple Bottoms from from a production firm to a licensing entity, Mike was able to grow the business from $2M in revenue in 2004 to over $100M in 2008.
In early 2015, Michael Chaffin and Mark Cuban co-launched the THREE COMMAS apparel line, a concept derived by Mark Cuban based on the fact that there are 3 commas in a billion dollars. The line is the first developed for the aspiring entrepreneur.
While Three Commas came from the fact that there are three commas in a billion, the money is not what it is about. It is about the entrepreneur - from the place where the dream began, to where the dream becomes a reality. Three Commas is about the journey and seeks to encourage people to achieve their goals, pursuing the American Dream. There is no other place that gives everyone this great opportunity to succeed. It's not about having a billion dollars, but the daily reward of hard work, passion, and dedication that brings the true meaning of success. Three Commas is the brand for the driven entrepreneur.
Mike is active in the startup community serving as a judge and mentor for Stadia Ventures sports accelerator.
He has served on the Governing Board of Make-A-Wish Missouri which he is now an alumni of and has also formerly served on the Board of Directors for Covenant House, an international charity that focuses on homeless teenagers.
(Interviewed by StartupGrind's Chris Joannou)