Moses Abrego
What is your role at Sonoma Wire Works?
I'm currently heading up QA, technical support and shipping. We have a very close-knit team and we often help each other, so at the moment I tend to bounce around to cover several areas. It's awesome because I get so much experience, I get to see the company grow as a whole, and it deepens my investment into the success of our day to day operations instead of just being responsible for one aspect. I'm very lucky to learn from and share in the growing experience with the entire team.
How did you start working for Sonoma Wire Works?
About halfway through college, I was skimming through my school email, and I found the job opening for Sonoma. I remember getting really excited because, not only did I meet all of the criteria, but it was in a department and field that I was extremely passionate about. I submitted my resume and I actually forgot about it until I got the email back from Michelle and Doug (my future bosses and close friends). I interviewed and we totally clicked on pedals, guitars, music, vision and the future of music technology.
What instruments do you play, and when did you first start playing music?
I am in a lifelong love affair with the guitar. I have been playing since I was 5, and I have fallen more and more in love with the guitar and the world of products aimed towards guitar players. I've dabbled around with bass and keys - I'm not too shabby, but I definitely can use some more practice with those two. I've also been singing almost my entire life and I'm currently a vocal coach.
What are some of your biggest influences?
Professionally speaking, I'm very inspired by the business model of a lot of boutique pedal companies. I love how they can thrive and relate to their customers on such an intimate level. I also really admire a lot of the big DAW companies and how they can harness so much talent to continuously make their products cutting edge. Musically, anything recorded in the early 70's is untouchable to me, there never was or ever will be anything like that again.
What do you do in your spare time?
Music, music, music. I love playing music and producing. I work as a freelance songwriter/producer in my spare time outside of Sonoma. It's extremely challenging to work with different artists coming from different backgrounds and it always keeps me on my toes. I also really enjoy cooking, it definitely rivals music for me. I'm very lucky that my family enjoys my cooking so it always encourages me. I'm also the proud father of two amazing young cats named Donnie and Harley.
Where would you like to see Sonoma headed in the future?
I am so invested in Sonoma, because of this I have a very in depth perspective of the trajectory of the company. With that said, this is a company that will be in every recording studio and home all across the globe. You heard it here first. The detail and care that goes into every tiny aspect of each product is unmatched. This is a family of musicians who care about creating products for other musicians above all other things. That honesty is a part of the foundation that makes this company such an honor to work for. I love my job because of this. I get to hear countless users give me feedback on how our products are expanding their creative process. I think this means good things for the future of Sonoma. Big things.
Is there anything you'd like to say to Sonoma's customers?
Thank you. First and foremost and thank you; for being patient with us, for helping us, for supporting us. We get to support our families and do what we love and it's all made possible because of the support of our customers. We appreciate every kind word and every positive review.
Do you have any advice for people who want to work in the music software industry?
Take any job you can to get your foot in the door. You might not start out as a CEO, but I guarantee even if you're just taking out the garbage and helping out with things around the office, but you show up and you apply yourself, you will grow and you will earn the trust of your peers. Persevere through the difficulties and you'll become refined by them. It's an amazing industry to work in and it will always be present because we will always have music.
