1096: Stephen Ridley - "Ivories Over Gold: Reinvention, Resilience and Teaching Millions"

Get ready for an inspiring and energetic episode of Thrive Loud with Lou Diamond! In this conversation, Lou sits down with Stephen Ridley —a former investment banker turned international musician and founder of the Ridley Academy, one of the world’s leading online piano masterclasses, now boasting over $50 million in revenue and 40,000+ students.Stephen shares his remarkable journey from a tiny English village with no musical background, through personal struggles and loss, to a high-flying career in investment banking, and ultimately making the bold leap to become a street performer and worldwide music sensation. Stephen opens up about hitting rock bottom, finding passion in music, the importance of relentless self-improvement, and the real secret behind “overnight success.” He also reveals the mindset and strategies that turned his academy into a global movement, inspiring tens of thousands to learn piano in a fun, fast, and simple way.Lou and Stephen delve into everything from creative breakthroughs and overcoming fears, to building valuable feedback loops and focusing on creating rather than chasing money. Stephen’s powerful story will remind you to follow your passion, keep learning, and never be afraid to reinvent yourself.Stick around for the Speakeasy Pub Crawl—Lou’s fun speed round—and discover Stephen’s favorite movie, music, comfort foods, and more.Don’t forget to check out Ridley Academy if you’ve ever dreamed of playing the piano, and connect with Stephen directly—he loves hearing from you!Timestamped Overview: 00:00 "From Banker to Global Music Phenomenon"03:48 Overwhelmed by Family Crisis08:22 Chasing Dreams Over Banking Career11:53 Second Midlife Crisis: Time for Change15:03 "Street Performance in London"19:06 The Power of Open Feedback21:21 Ed Sheeran's Rise to Fame24:06 Pursuit of Simplicity in Music28:53 Marketing Strategy: Music to Product31:56 Entrepreneurship's Cost: Willingness to Risk36:10 "Create, Don't Get Distracted"37:24 "Success Beyond Money"41:04 Dessert Choices Based on Company45:30 Doctor Dre's Unreleased Album Buzz47:52 Father-Son Evolution and GrowthSubscribe and follow for more inspiring stories of thriving, reinvention, and making your mark on the world.#ThriveLoud #StephenRidley #LouDiamond #Piano #Entrepreneurship #Inspiration #Creativity #Music #SuccessStories