Ex-Groupon CEO Mason ‘Takin’ Care of Business’ with motivational album, plans for new company

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Former Groupon CEO Andrew Mason is diving into several new ventures, including indulging his inner rock star with an album of “motivational business music.”

Mason said Thursday on his blog that he recently spent a week in Los Angeles and recorded a collection of seven songs called “Hardly Workin.’” Mason said he wants to present business wisdom to younger people and that the songs will help them understand ideas that are critical to becoming productive and effective employees. He said many of Groupon’s employees are young and many didn’t have much familiarity with business, and didn’t want to read books on the subject.

Mason plans to start a new company in the fall. He didn’t disclose details but said he’ll be moving to San Francisco from Chicago. He also said he is taking an advisory position at Y Combinator, a selective incubator program that supports development of entrepreneurial companies. Mason said he will spend one day every week at the firm’s offices and will advise new startups.

Mason did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Technology media website TechCrunch said it had confirmed with Mason that he was serious about the album.

Mason founded Groupon, an online deals site. He was fired as CEO in February. The move had been anticipated for months, given concerns about the company’s financial and stock performance.