Cliff Beach shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Cliff, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
What makes me lose track of time—and find myself again—is making music with people I love and trust. Lately, I’ve been reworking some Christmas songs with my friend Greg Smith, an incredible pianist and composer. We went into the session with no real agenda—just the intention to spend two hours exploring ideas. Seven hours later, we were still at it. We stayed curious, kept it fun, and completely lost track of time. That kind of creative flow reminded me why Greg and I have been making music together for over 20 years. At its purest, music is freedom. It brings me back to that childlike wonder, before all the stress, responsibilities, and battles of life. For me, music isn’t just a profession—it’s solace, escape, and joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Cliff Beach. I’m a musician, author, radio/podcast host, and currently the Vice President of Digital & Operations at Beautytap—a platform that connects beauty brands with expert reviews and digital education. My journey has always been about blending creativity with purpose. As an artist, I’ve released over 100 songs and multiple albums, and I recently celebrated a big milestone—five years of sobriety and a complete health transformation after reversing Type 2 diabetes.
Through Beautytap, I help brands tell their story through authentic content, user-generated reviews, and education that empowers both professionals and consumers. I’m also passionate about mentoring others and giving back—whether through Grammy U, the Tony Robbins Foundation, or my involvement with Celebrate Recovery.
Right now, I’m working on a few exciting projects: new music collaborations, a new Christmas album, and recently release of my second audiobook Side Hustle & Flow: Shape Up!, focused on wellness and personal transformation. Everything I do—whether in business, music, or writing—is about inspiring people to live fully, creatively, and on purpose.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I used to believe there was a secret magic formula to life—that if you did all the right things at the right time, everything would work out perfectly. But I’ve learned that’s just not true. Life isn’t linear, and no one really has it all figured out. My journey has been full of twists, turns, and detours, and I’ve come to understand that progress is simply putting one foot in front of the other—even when you stumble or fall.
You will fail. You will get lost. But sometimes, in getting lost, you end up somewhere even greater than you imagined. Columbus set out looking for India and stumbled upon America. People once believed the world ended at the edge of the map, beyond sea monsters—but the truth is, entire new worlds exist when you’re willing to go where others won’t. That’s what I’ve learned: the magic isn’t in a formula—it’s in the courage to keep going.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
When I was sad or scared as a child, I’d go outside and sit on the porch for hours, listening to music or audio on my headphones and just being in nature. That quiet time—just me, the sounds in my ears, and the world around me—always brought me peace.
Funny enough, I still do that as an adult. Not long ago, I was at a big conference, overwhelmed by all the networking and stimulation. I stepped outside, found a bench, laid down, looked up at a big tree and the sky, and listened to How to Relax by Thich Nhat Hanh. I even texted my mom in that moment to tell her that, all these years later, I still return to that childhood ritual when I need to find calm.
If you look at the cover of my latest music EP Lil Beach, you’ll see baby me with a Walkman, listening to Bible tapes. Audio has always been my escape, my comfort, and my connection to something greater. It’s been with me my whole life.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
An important truth I’ve found—one that not many people seem to agree with—is that we’ve almost perfected the art of avoiding personal responsibility as a society. People spend so much time blaming others: the government, their boss, “the man,” the devil—anything outside of themselves. But the real power lies in focusing on what you can control: your actions, your mindset, your growth. If more people stopped pointing fingers and instead committed to becoming better versions of themselves, the world would be a radically different—and better—place.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What will you regret not doing?
One thing I know I’ll always regret is not having George Clinton feature on my album The Gospel According to Cliff Beach. I had the opportunity, but I didn’t pull the trigger—partly because of money, but mostly because I listened to the wrong advice from people who were thinking small. That decision still haunts me.
Since then, I’ve learned to trust myself more and to think big. Most people I know played it safe—and many are still playing it safe. But I’d rather go for broke than die with regret. Playing small doesn’t serve me, and it doesn’t serve the dreams I’m chasing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Sidehustleandflow.net
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/cliffbeachmusic
- Twitter: https://Twitter.com/cliffbeachmusic
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/cliffbeachmusic
- Youtube: https://YouTube.com/cliffbeachmusic
- Soundcloud: https://SoundCloud.com/cliffbeachmusic
