Life & Work with Desmond Bowe of Venice, CA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Desmond Bowe.

Hi Desmond, 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?
Gosh where does any story really begin? A snowstorm in 7th grade forced me to hang out with a particular classmate who happened to live within walking distance. Through his circle I made friends with a guy who I started a band with in high school. That was my first introduction to tube guitar amplifiers and led to a lifelong fascination. In my 20s I started a company building handmade guitar amps before switching careers to work as a computer programmer. 15 years later I was burned out and done with that career, and started looking for something new. I’d been into Tiki culture for a while, and one night I wondered what would make a tiki head cooler. “If there was a tube amp inside it” came the answer. I love the idea so I quit my job and started building them. Today, years later, they get more and more interesting as I explore different ways of making a sculpture out of a hifi stereo.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course not. Everyone knows a car when they see one, but few people know what a Tiki Tube Amp is. Much of the challenge is marketing – getting the word out and finding those discerning buyers who desire something inspirational and unique. No one is Googling for Tiki Tube Amps. It’s up to me to spread the word as far as possible so I can reach my market. That takes several forms, including social media, industry trade shows, pop up demonstrations, and old-fashioned networking. I’m not a natural marketer so this aspect of the business can be really challenging. The good news is that I love making the Tiki Tube Amps and my enthusiasm always comes through.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I build Tiki Tube Amps – hifi stereos built into carved tiki heads. Each one is 100% handmade and unique. As far as I know I’m the only person making sculptures out of stereos, and I love it. It’s such an odd combination of skills – woodcarving, metalworking, vintage electronics, soldering, hifi audio, and of course tiki. Everyone has a sound system, but Tiki Tube Amps are the only stereos with soul. They look at you while you listen to music. They’re participating with you in the experience. They each have their own personality and name. They breathe life into any party or solo listening experience. And of course they sound great.

How do you define success?
Success is being true to your inspiration. Connecting with that inner voice and expressing into the world whatever it desires. Having the ability to listen and the skill to execute is the only real measure of success because that’s what makes life worth living. Along the way we have to make money of course. And it’s wonderful when we do. Still, measuring your worth by others’ approval is folly for anyone; it’s a death sentence for an artist because you start listening to their voices, and not yours.

Pricing:

• $10000
• $16000
• $25000

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tikitubeamps.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tikitubeamps/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tikitubeamps/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tikitubeamps
• Other: https://desmondbowe.substack.com

Image Credits
Benny Davis, Claire Pinchaud