Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Robert McClellan, Founder of Home Studio Simplified, located in Seymour, IN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the founder of "Home Studio Simplified." I have been producing my own music, as well as the music of others, for over 20 years and have been teaching musicians and audio engineers, both online and in person, for many of those years as well.
Tell us about yourself
When I first got into music, I had no idea that I would be recording it. I thought of it as more of a hobby. Then after a rather rocky childhood, I realized what music meant to me on a deeper level. When my mom and dad weren’t there for me, music was... As my love for music took root, so did my desire to write my own music. This is the point in a musician's life when their love of music transforms into a marriage to the music.
Just as in a physical relationship, marriage isn’t always easy. There are some days you just clash. Some days you feel like you don't have enough time for each other. However, at the end of the day, you both know you’re not going anywhere. The roadblocks I ran into when I first dove into recording those newly written songs were huge! I started out recording my ideas to a small tape deck. Then one day, I had this epiphany. I thought, “What if I took this tape and played it through the boom box, placed another blank tape in the tape deck, and overdubbed a second track?!” Needless to say, it sounded like trash. But I didn’t care. I was developing my passions.
Over time I got better, and my desire to get that "pro sound" consumed me. Unfortunately, there was a massive learning curve full of technical jargon and terminology that went over my head. However, I have never been a quitter! So, I set out to read, watch, and listen to anything and everything that I felt would help me develop the skills I needed to achieve my goals. After years of research and study, I am now able to consistently release music I am proud of! Now, I have never been the type of person to hold on to knowledge.
In fact, I find a lot of fulfillment in helping others. So, rather than watch others go through the same struggle I did for years, I set out to simplify the complexities of the home studio and help others make professional-sounding music in less-than-professional spaces. The website, the YouTube channel, and my podcast all reflect the same goal: helping individuals create better music and build the confidence to release more of it.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Due to my diligence in helping others, I have had the privilege to work with some of the biggest audio companies in the world and have been featured alongside some incredible lineups. One of my proudest achievements was having my work recognized by my friend and mentor, multi-platinum producer/engineer Warren Huart. Because of his faith in my abilities, I was awarded the honor of becoming a Pro Mix Academy Mentor alongside some of the industry's best and brightest.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
After years of mentoring others and finding ways to develop them into the confident creatives you see in them, I still struggle with imposter syndrome. Am I qualified? Who am I to teach others? The inner dialogue can sometimes drown out the success. However, prayer and the realization of my shortcomings actually keep me in the place of humility needed to help others the most.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Pursue your passion and stick with it! Consistency will win over talent any day; stay true to your core values. People need the real you, not a substandard version that is simply trying to please everyone.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.homestudiosimplified.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/homestudiosimplified
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hssimplified/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hssimplified
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hssimplified/
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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