Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Kaplan.
Hi Alex, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been passionate about music, so starting a record collection felt like a natural extension of that. I started collecting records in 2016, before I even owned a turntable, and the hobby quickly grew from there. I loved collecting albums I grew up with and had memories attached to, but I also loved the entire experience of vinyl – walking into a record store, digging through crates, discovering something unexpected, and having a tangible connection to the music. It’s come full circle for me since I grew up with cassettes, then CDs, then iPods and eventually streaming, and now I’ve come back around to vinyl.
I started my page, @vinylgoneviral, in March 2020, during the early days of the pandemic. Like many people, I was stuck at home, and records became a source of comfort and normalcy during an uncertain time. I initially created the page to document my collection and connect with other music lovers, but it quickly grew into something much bigger.
Today, I’m incredibly grateful for the community I’ve built around music, nostalgia, and collecting, and for the opportunity to turn something I love into a way to connect with people every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing content creation with working full-time and making sure I still have time for my family and personal life. Staying consistent while avoiding burnout can be challenging, especially when content creation is something I do outside of my day job.
There’s also been a learning curve when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of social media. A lot of it has been trial and error – figuring out what resonates with my audience, learning from what works and what doesn’t, and constantly adapting. And as the page has grown, I’ve had to learn the business side of being a creator as well, from brand partnerships and negotiations to understanding the value of my work. I’m still learning every day, but that’s also been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My page, @vinylgoneviral, centers around music, vinyl collecting, and nostalgia, especially the music and culture of the ’90s and 2000s that I grew up with as a millennial. I create content that brings people back to a specific time in their lives, whether that’s rediscovering an album they grew up with, celebrating an anniversary, or simply sharing the experience of listening to a record.
What sets me apart is my focus on the emotional connection people have with music. Rather than simply sharing records or hi-fi components, I like to tell the stories behind them and create content that sparks memories and conversation.
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built and how much the page has grown from a personal hobby into something much bigger. And most importantly, it’s something I genuinely love and am passionate about.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Starting @vinylgoneviral was definitely a risk because I was following something I was passionate about and putting my creativity and ideas out into the world without knowing how they would be received. Looking back, I’m really glad I took that chance because it’s opened the door to so many experiences and opportunities I never expected.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinylgoneviral/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1HJzwtyZQP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinylgoneviral?_t=zt-8vcopk6nlpv&_r=1
