Musician Josh Misko is hitting his stride as an entrepreneur and startup founder with help from the Oregon State business degree he earned online
When I enrolled with Oregon State University’s College of Business, I knew I wanted to expand my career by combining creativity with entrepreneurship. I went back to school at 27 with a clearer sense of my goals, but what I didn’t realize then was how much the business administration online bachelor’s program would sharpen my discipline and shape my ability to turn ideas into businesses and passions into opportunities.
What I valued most was how accessible Oregon State was while I was working and touring. My travel schedule was demanding, yet I could still log in, complete assignments online and contribute to classes. More often than not, I worked on coursework from hotel rooms, airport terminals and even the back of a van or bus. That flexibility allowed me to keep moving forward both academically and professionally.
My time at OSU gave me more than just academic knowledge. It gave me confidence, a global community to belong to and a supportive alumni network. I learned to think bigger, evaluate opportunities critically and build sustainable models for growth. I applied those lessons directly to my ventures, and I’m especially grateful to have broken into the software side of music by co-founding Seatfun, a rapidly expanding ticketing and marketing company.
I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of music, technology and business. As a songwriter and producer, I’ve spent years on the road performing, writing and building relationships. Along the way, I developed a passion for shaking up the old guard by innovating tools and systems that help artists, venues, and businesses thrive. With Seatfun, ticketing is just as much a service as it is software.
Earning my degree … was proof that I could dream big, execute strategically and finish what I started while pursuing my career and personal goals.
The company was founded on the “rising tides” principle that guides all of my work: When our partners thrive, we all thrive. Many major ticketing companies have lost sight of that, but we make a meaningful impact on venue and promoter operations — and ultimately their bottom line — by pairing state-of-the-art software with high-touch service.
The breakthroughs I’m experiencing now are directly tied to the skills I honed online with OSU. From financial modeling to leadership principles and entrepreneurship, the coursework prepared me for the real-world challenges of scaling businesses, managing teams and navigating an industry that never stops evolving.
Earning my Oregon State business degree wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was proof that I could dream big, execute strategically and finish what I started while pursuing my career and personal goals.
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For current and future students, my advice is simple: Lean into the opportunities OSU provides, and don’t be afraid to merge your passions with your profession. What you put into school is what you’ll get out of it. Whether you’re building a company, pursuing research or entering a new field, the tools and network you’ll gain can help you create your own version of success.
Thanks OSU, and Go Beavs!
“Oh yeah, it’s worth it. If you’re strong enough!” — Tommy Lee Jones in “Men in Black”
Explore Oregon State’s online business programs
(Photo of Josh Misko by Nicholas Tavares — NTP Photography)
