Available to book
Transform business culture with Mike Ciprari, speaker and entrepreneurial strategist. Mike works with brands and creative teams to build authentic community, scale passion projects, and develop purpose-driven leadership, delivering insights from his globally recognized SJC Custom Drums success story.
Mike Ciprari is a creative entrepreneur and founder of Loyal to the Craft, a media platform and movement focused on passion-led careers, DIY culture, and authentic connection. Known for co-founding SJC Custom Drums, Mike took a teenage hobby from his grandmother’s basement and turned it into a globally recognized brand, endorsed by artists like Slipknot and Twenty One Pilots.
Mike’s journey is rooted in community rather than competition. He believes that success comes through relationships, and his approach challenges conventional metrics of achievement. Drawing on decades in the music and branding world, he explores how purpose, persistence, and people drive sustainable growth in business and in life.
His talks offer audiences more than motivation. Whether addressing entrepreneurs, creatives, students, or sales teams, Mike shares the practical tools and mindset shifts that helped him scale a niche product into an international success. His delivery is candid, humorous, and emotionally grounded—blending the ethos of punk rock with lessons from Stoic philosophy and modern brand-building.
Now leading the Loyal to the Craft Academy, Mike provides resources and guidance for creators and parents navigating alternative paths. He also hosts the Loyal to the Craft podcast, celebrating behind-the-scenes stories of musicians and entrepreneurs staying true to their mission.
Mike’s impact as a speaker lies in his relatability and lived experience. He brings authenticity, not abstraction; insight, not instruction. His story is proof that creative integrity and commercial success don’t have to be mutually exclusive—and that generosity can be the cornerstone of a lasting legacy.
Topics, sessions and talks
Mike Ciprari reveals how to transform a grassroots idea into a sustainable business by embracing the do-it-yourself mentality. Sharing his journey from a basement drum shop to a global brand, he breaks down practical steps for building with limited resources. The session offers real-world strategies on storytelling, value creation, and momentum through community. Expect a hands-on, no-frills approach that empowers creators to act, adapt and launch with what they already have.
Mike Ciprari challenges the myth of linear success, showing how genuine human connection outperforms status-driven ambition. Drawing from decades of creative entrepreneurship, he reveals why relationships, not résumés, build lasting growth. With insight shaped by community and collaboration, this session redefines influence for the modern age. Attendees will come away with tools to grow networks rooted in generosity, shift from hustle to harmony, and lead with integrity over image.
In this talk, Mike Ciprari explores how to craft a personal brand that earns trust, reflects identity, and stands up in a fast-changing landscape. Speaking candidly about pricing, positioning and authenticity, he equips creatives to step into their value without compromise. Whether building a career or protecting your voice, this session cuts through the noise and brings clarity to personal branding in a world driven by influence and attention.
Blending business insight with lived experience, Mike Ciprari shares how to nurture creativity, grit and independent thinking in the next generation. This session is for parents, mentors and educators seeking practical, values-led approaches to raising resilient kids. With humor and heart, Mike shows how punk rock philosophy and hands-on leadership can unlock leadership in young people, encouraging them to stand out, speak up and stay true to themselves.
The music world is a masterclass in adaptation, storytelling and loyalty - and Mike Ciprari knows it from the inside. This session draws lessons from working with globally recognized bands to highlight how brands and entrepreneurs can create lasting impact. With vivid stories and sharp takeaways, Mike uncovers five essential principles to help businesses grow authentic communities, stand out in crowded markets, and build culture-driven movements with global reach.
Featured Projects
often considered together
Mimi Nicklin
Empathy
Leadership Development
Psychological Safety
Alexandra Forsyth
Effective Leadership
High Performance
Workplace Wellbeing
Sahar Hashemi
Customer Experience
Customer Loyalty
Creativity
frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
To book Mike Ciprari, email mike.ciprari@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Mike's availability and speaking fee. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and about your audience.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
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