Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ryan Lewis, owner of Elevation Music Studio, located in Kingston, ON, Canada.

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

Elevation Music Studio is a one-stop-shop for emerging artists. Our services include: Audio Recording:-(Audiobooks, Music, Commercials, Voiceovers, ADR for film- so far have recorded ADRs for BET, Disney, and a few other motion pictures) we also offer: Distribution; Artist/Band development and management; Marketing/Branding; Social Media development; And Live music.

While we are a professional recording studio, and independent label, we also are very keen on teaching the ropes to interested youth and other individuals. We teach mainly vocals; however, we also offer keyboards, guitar, bass, drums, and audio recording development (lessons.)

Tell us about yourself

I am a Barbados Republic native. My music career began, there, over 25 years ago. I immigrated to Canada to be with my wife (20 years married) and twin boys (10 years old) in 2001. After moving here, I decided it would be best to enrol in St. Lawrence College, to gain my marketing degree. Afterward, the plan was: I would enter the workforce, taking a position as an account Rep. I quickly realized it wasn’t for me. I remember parking my car one evening, sitting, sobbing behind the steering wheel of the car. At this time, I was fresh out of college; we just had twin boys; my wife was going through severe PPD - so, I asked, rhetorically, how could I possibly quit? But, truth be told, I had to protect my mental health. So one of the worse days of my life, made manifest, one of the best and most pivotal moments in my life. My alignment began by asking myself: “if I am willing to bust my ass for someone else, who cares nothing about my dreams and passions, I’d be better off busting my tail for myself!” Thus started the wonderful journey of Elevation.

I am in my sweet spot; although I sympathize, I am motivated by the fact that so many people hate their lives, because they have committed to finding a job to pay the bills, rather than pursue their dream. (I know I could have worded this with more compassion, but this serves as a wake up call to you, if this is indeed for you… if I can do this, you can do this!!)

I am heading into a decade, in 2023, of successfully owning a lucrative operation. In 2019, we expanded the brand, with my wife introducing: Elevation Hair Studio; we operate in the same building, located at 721 Progress Ave, Kingston On, K7M6S4.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I sincerely appreciate all the small things just as much as the big things. It’s the small things that lead to the big things: working with a few celebrities and working with some influential and long-standing brands, as well as some new, but impactful ones, are all a result of the smallest accomplishments. I don’t mean to sound flakey or coy, but being a small business, I have to be thankful for everything, even if I had the time, or motivation to own a big company, I would have the same outlook.

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

One of the hardest things I usually have to deal with is: being seen as a contender. Most people, in my circle, know me as a musician. The immediate response, for those who, rather than reading the words in a book, read the pictures instead, is to pity this starving artist, or take the stance that their time is more valuable than mine. It doesn’t worry me, to the point of unrest, but it does get under my skin, just enough. Great example: I went to a club one evening, to support one of my clients, since his band was playing there that evening. He introduced me to one of his older friends, who proceeded to ask me, further along into our conversation: “so what do you do for a living?” I said: “I’m a musician!” His follow-up question, verbatim, was: “so what do you do for money?” Well didn’t I just want to Will-Smith him! Anyway, live and let love.

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

Be firm, but be kind; my motto is: clients are always right, but they are not always correct. In these situations, where there is no physical or mental harm has been, done when it’s just opinions, and someone measuring appendage, just swallow your pride and let live. Many people would prefer that I wrote: swallow YOUR pride… and LIVE and let live - some arguments are just not worth anyone’s time- not to mention, we never know what someone is going through. Be Kind… so important.

Strive for excellence, even perfection. There are some that go around making the excuse: no one or nothing is perfect! But I beg to differ: have you not ever had the perfect salad; or the perfect blend of coffee; or the perfect glass of wine, at the end of the day? Perfect is simply 10 out of 10 - if your business serves coffee, that coffee is perfect if made correctly and served efficiently. I could go on, but I think you get my point.

Finally: It can’t be all about the money!! The biggest part of my business is encouraging others to be the best versions of themselves, not through tedious resolutions and unrealistic projections, but through acceptance of things we absolutely are not able to change; through understanding, when used as a barometer, as opposed to an obstacle, there can actually be a healthy way of managing, utilizing and overcoming fear. Understanding that we are so much stronger together.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.elevationmusicstudio.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevationmusicstudioinc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevationmusicstudio/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ryanlewisworld
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elevationmusicstudio/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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