Chop Saver
By Amy Karagiannakis
In a world where melodies and entrepreneurship rarely compose the same score, Illinois School of Music alumnus Dan Gosling’s story stands out, harmonizing his music career with the innovative creation of ChopSaver, a lip care product that has resonated with musicians and non-musicians alike. This story isn’t just about a product; it’s about resilience, innovation, and the sound of success.
Gosling’s musical journey began with his extensive training and participation in various ensembles at the University of Illinois, laying the foundation for a promising career in music. “One of the great things about Illinois was that there were so many opportunities to play. I was playing in just about everything that was available to me; the Orchestra, the Symphonic Wind ensemble, the Jazz Band, Brass Quintet, the British Brass Band,” recalled Gosling (BM ’84). It was those experiences that led to Gosling’s ability as a freelance musician to play all styles of music. “It was because I had so many musical experiences as an undergraduate at Illinois, that I was prepared for pretty much anything as a professional musician.”
His experiences following graduation ranged from playing in the symphonic repertoire with the Indianapolis Symphony to helping found the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, which is now celebrating its 40th season. He also did some adjunct teaching at Ball State and Butler University. However, life had a different composition in store for him, leading him down the path of entrepreneurship in a most unexpected way.
After nearly two decades of playing trumpet with the Indianapolis Symphony, Dan Gosling was at risk of losing his dream job. Auditions were being held for the position he had been doing full time for the last three years. Gosling ended up losing his seat to none other than Thomas Hooten, who is now Principal Trumpet for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. Gosling was devastated but figured he could make ends meet by continuing to do freelance work until the next opportunity came along. Gosling didn’t realize at the time that opportunity would come quite soon and in the form of a product idea rather than an audition. The inception of ChopSaver came about two weeks later when Gosling was hanging out with a musician and former student of his who mentioned that arnica, a natural anti-inflammatory, had healed his bruised lip within a couple days. This story and Dan’s discovery of arnica sparked an idea that would address a common issue among brass and woodwind players: lip fatigue and swelling. Motivated by both a personal and widespread need, Gosling embarked on a quest to create a lip balm that would soothe, heal, and support musicians’ performance needs.
ChopSaver, born out of Gosling’s kitchen experimentation and relentless pursuit of the perfect formula, became more than just a lip balm; it symbolized a bridge between his career in music and entrepreneurial future. Despite initial skepticism and the challenges of entering the market, Gosling’s dedication to his product and its benefits led to early successes and endorsements, including from world renowned flutist Sir James Galway, former Illinois Music trumpet professor David Hickman, and Thomas Hooten, the trumpeter that led to Gosling losing what he thought at the time was his dream job.
Gosling’s journey wasn’t without its challenges. Transitioning from a musician to an entrepreneur meant learning entirely new skills, from marketing to manufacturing. Yet, it was his musician’s discipline and creativity that propelled ChopSaver from an idea to a product beloved by many. Dan Gosling’s story is a testament to the transformative potential of what an education in the arts can lead to – paving the way for diverse and innovative professional journeys.
donation
Thanks to a generous donation from ACES alumna Joan Clement (BS ’77 Home Economics), all School of Music students received a tube of ChopSaver lip balm in the fall of 2023. Clement has been an avid supporter of Dan Gosling and ChopSaver since she met him at a performance given by a mutual friend of theirs. Clement, co-founder of Michaels’ Catering, Inc., is eager to see Dan and ChopSaver become even more successful.
When asked what advice he might have for current School of Music students, Gosling shared, “Musicians will spend literally thousands of hours playing one passage or studying one piece. That kind of mental tenacity will guide you. That creative side of your brain will help you in ways you never thought possible. We know that music has its challenges when it comes to financial abundance and stability. But there are a lot of lessons that come from striving for that success and taking that journey. And the connections you make along the way might end up taking you in a completely different direction – and that’s ok.”
ChopSaver’s success lies not only in its unique formula but also in Gosling’s ability to connect with his customers, understanding their needs deeply and personally. As ChopSaver continues to grow, its story resonates with those who dare to dream differently and pursue their passions, even if those dreams and passions lie outside the typical realm of one’s chosen field.