From Venture Capital to Vibrant Beats: A Bali Transformation
Nic Huzz, 28, recounts a significant career pivot, leaving behind the world of venture capital to forge a new path as a silent disco entrepreneur in Bali, Indonesia. This as-told-to story details his journey, beginning with early uncertainty about his professional future and culminating in a fulfilling, albeit unconventional, career. Huzz, who previously worked at a venture capital firm in Sydney, Australia, shared his experiences and motivations for the dramatic shift.
Huzz’s initial career trajectory followed a conventional path. After completing studies in communications and entrepreneurship, he secured a full-time position at a Sydney-based venture capital firm – a role many would consider a success. However, he quickly discovered a disconnect between expectation and reality. Despite the perceived prestige and opportunity, he felt unfulfilled, realizing he was chasing validation rather than genuine passion.
The Search for Fulfillment and Overcoming Fear
The core issue, Huzz explains, wasn’t necessarily the job itself, but the lack of intrinsic motivation. He found himself spending the majority of his time on tasks he didn’t enjoy, constrained by a traditional 9-to-5 structure that stifled his energy. This dissatisfaction was amplified by the onset of the 2020 lockdowns, which eliminated even the respite of weekends. It took over three years for Huzz to ultimately resign, despite recognizing his unhappiness almost immediately.
During this period of introspection, Huzz invested approximately 42,000 Australian dollars (roughly $30,000 USD) in self-improvement resources – including coaching, programs, and extensive reading – seeking a roadmap to a more authentic life. While he accumulated a wealth of theoretical knowledge, he struggled to translate these insights into tangible change. He came to understand that fear – fear of judgment, failure, and inadequacy – was the primary obstacle preventing him from pursuing a different course.
Embracing Discomfort and a Leap to Bali
To combat these fears, Huzz adopted a strategy of deliberately confronting uncomfortable situations. He began with small acts of vulnerability, such as posting personal videos online and performing impromptu magic tricks. These challenges gradually escalated to stand-up comedy and public singing, despite having no prior experience. Within five weeks of initiating this practice, he relocated to Bali in 2021 to work remotely for his firm.
This move proved pivotal. In 2023, when his employer announced plans to reopen a Sydney office and requested his return, Huzz made a decisive break. He informed his boss he couldn’t comply, a decision she acknowledged and even supported, recognizing his desire to pursue a different path. This marked the true beginning of his entrepreneurial venture.
Building a Silent Disco Business and Finding Joy
Initially, Huzz’s transition was financially precarious. He lived off savings, experiencing periods where his bank account dwindled dangerously low, going from an annual salary of 85,000 Australian dollars to no income. He began hosting impromptu silent disco events on beaches in Bali and Thailand, initially offering them for free. Encouraged by friends, he eventually accepted donations, overcoming his ingrained belief that work should inherently involve suffering.
The turning point came when he realized he could earn more in an hour DJing than he had previously earned in a day at his corporate job. Demand grew, leading to requests to rent his equipment, and ultimately, a substantial loan from his parents to purchase 250 additional headsets. This investment enabled him to secure contracts with major events and conferences in Bali, including AWS, Amazon, and IBM. While his income in 2023 – around 30,000 Australian dollars – was lower than his previous salary, Huzz emphasizes the profound increase in his overall happiness and autonomy. He now prioritizes personal fulfillment and the freedom to design his own life, concluding that true security lies not in a paycheck, but in self-trust.
