Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brian Funk, a musician, producer, songwriter, and Ableton Certified Trainer based in Centerport, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I am a music producer and educator. I produce music and sounds other music producers can use in their own music. I teach music production via my website, as well as Berklee Online.

Tell us about yourself

I've been making music since I started playing guitar at age 14. I started sharing my process via my website and YouTube channel. I've always been interested in finding unique sounds for my music, and I started sharing those sounds with other producers. I found it extremely exciting to hear how other producers used sounds I created in their own music. I started sharing more and more of my sounds and building larger and more diverse collections. Soon I began teaching music production. I host the Music Production Podcast, which allows me to connect with music professionals and my audience. My motivation comes from exploring sound and the mystery of artistic creativity.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Although there have been proud moments and accomplishments along the way, I am most proud of my consistency. I focus on creating the best work I can regularly. Success is impossible to control. But I can always control how much work I put in. It's a process-based approach rather than a results-based approach. This allows me to stay true to myself and keeps my work fresh and unique.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest part is always getting started. Whether I am trying to launch a big new idea or simply sitting down to start working on some music, the first step is always the most difficult. Once things are in motion, it's much easier to keep them going. But getting started takes strength and courage.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Start as simple as possible. It's easy to let ideas grow into something enormous. At that point, it's difficult to know where to begin. Instead, ask yourself, "what is the simplest thing I can do to get going" and do that. When I was thinking about starting the Music Production Podcast, I dreamed of having multiple segments, tutorials, sound design sessions, guests, musical creation pieces, etc. It got too big, and I didn't know how to begin. One day, I asked myself, "what's the least amount I can do to create a podcast?" The answer was to set up a microphone and talk. My first ten episodes featured just me talking into a microphone. Soon I added guests. Every once in a while, I try something new. But it never would have happened if I didn't start as small as possible.
  2. Focus on the process. You can't control the outcomes of your work, but you can control how hard you work. Don't worry about factors that are out of your control.
  3. Do it for one person. When I am trying to make sounds that will please large numbers of people, I do the kinds of things that have already been done. When I make sounds I want to have, I look for things missing from my collection. Those wind up being unique and original. I make sounds that I want to have. I trust that there are probably enough people out there like me that would enjoy those sounds too. And if not, at least I have the sounds for myself!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://brianfunk.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianFunkMusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianfunkmusic/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brianfunkmusic

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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