Today we’d like to introduce you to Omar Rivera
Hi Omar, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello! I’m Omar Rivera. By day, I work in the Ai tech space managing a team of Sales Engineers. By night, I’m a DJ/producer known as Fresco. Let me start by sharing my journey through the DJ and music world.
I’m originally from the land of the best tacos in Texas: the Rio Grande Valley. Brownsville, to be exact. Growing up on the border in the ’90s meant crossing into Mexico for the nightlife every weekend. I frequented the various hotspots, navigating the landscape of uninhibited club kids and police looking to stuff their pockets. I befriended a few of the club DJs and became fascinated by how they could move a room full of strangers with the right music. Eventually, they showed me the ins and outs of the craft.
In my early 20s, I moved to Austin, working menial jobs while figuring out my path like most young people. During this time, I honed my DJ skills and played at a few local EDM shows and festivals. In 2010, I returned to Brownsville and made the decision to become a full-time DJ, establishing residencies across South Texas. I also began to really focus on music production. Eventually, several of my remixes gained traction with big names like Diplo, Skrillex, David Guetta, and DJ Mustard. Watching these DJs play my tracks at major festivals was incredible.
This exposure opened doors for me, leading to gigs across Texas and out-of-state in Los Angeles and the Bay Area. I was also featured on global digital radio shows on SiriusXM and as a producer on DJ City, the biggest DJ pool on the planet. Despite the momentum, DJ’ing 5 to 6 times a week took a physical and mental toll. The nightlife, while exhilarating, can be punishing, and I struggled to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Burnout was real.
In 2017, I had the chance to join a rising tech startup in business communications. The role was entry-level customer support, not glamorous, but I saw potential for growth. After years of nightlife, I faced a tough decision: Was I ready to trade the freedom and income of DJing for the structure and pay cut of a new role? I accepted the job and moved back to Austin. I eventually worked my way to a Sales Engineering position which lead to a leadership role.
When COVID struck, remote work became the norm, and in 2020, I moved to San Antonio. Even with a day job, my passion for music continued. I still work on music, and my remixes circulate in clubs and festivals worldwide. I now have more freedom to choose the gigs and music I want to play, and I’m grateful for that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely been a pothole riddled road.
In 2014, music labels pressured streaming sites like SoundCloud to crack down on unauthorized use of their music. Unofficial remixes is how a lot of producers get exposure. Just as I was gaining momentum with big DJs playing my remixes, SoundCloud deleted my page, which featured original music and unofficial remixes. This was a huge blow, as I had thousands of followers and millions of plays. This was the main avenue of how my music reached DJs and fans all over the world. Rebuilding that following has been a monumental challenge I haven’t been able to replicate.
In tech, the road to becoming a Sales Engineer and eventually a manager wasn’t easy. As a high school dropout with no formal education, I had to prove myself in an unfamiliar industry. My first year at this startup was humbling. I realized I wasn’t as sharp as I thought compared to my talented colleagues. I had to quickly learn complex concepts like telephony solutions, microservices-based architecture, and Large Language Models. Thank God for YouTube University.
The transition from a support role to Sales Engineering took time. I applied for the role four times, and each rejection only strengthened my resolve to pursue this further. Eventually, they took a risk on me. I battled through bouts of imposter syndrome and proved to myself and others I could excel, that I belonged. I would go on to be awarded SMB Sales Engineer of the Year and making it to President’s Club. The all-expenses-paid trip to Mexico wasn’t too bad either.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I consider myself an “open format” DJ. For example, in the Bay Area, my set will consist of more West Coast and regional hip hop. In South Texas, I play more Spanish music. In Austin, I mix everything from RnB to EDM to Emo. It all depends on the city and what the crowd responds to. This eclecticism is also reflected in my music production. I make everything from Cumbia to House music and this broad range has led to my tracks resonating with DJs worldwide. Having big names play my stuff at global festivals is a great, but it’s the videos from local DJs playing my remixes in places like Ibiza, Japan, London, or Texas that truly blows my mind.
In tech, I work for Dialpad which is a cloud-based business communications platform. What sets us apart is we built our own Large Language Model, DialpadGPT, which powers our AI-enhanced features designed to automate efficiency and productivity. As Sales Engineers, we’re the technical side of the sales process, building solutions that help customers reach their goals with our products. I’m proud of my journey with this company, especially since I joined when it was still finding its footing. Being part of a culture that values its employees’ voices has allowed me to contribute to our growth. Now, we’re valued at over $2 billion and it’s an amazing feeling knowing I’m a part of that. Moving forward, a goal of mine is to spread awareness of tech opportunities within the Hispanic community.
What does success mean to you?
Success is often measured by wealth or material possessions, which are definitely great. However, I also feel true success is about personal growth. I’ve dedicated myself to having my music heard while also carving out a career in tech, and each step of the way demanded resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to push beyond my comfort zone. Constantly living safe space is usually what prevents you from realizing your potential.
This means setting goals, chasing them, and growing through every challenge. Ultimately, success is about overcoming insecurities and self-doubt, always learning, and inspiring others to reach their own potential which is what I hope to do as a manager.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frescofresh
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/fresco-rivera
