Multi-award Winning Songwriter & Musician

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jasmine Cain, a songwriter, touring artist, and musician based in Old Hickory, TN, USA.

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

I have been a professional music artist for 20 years. Our customers are anyone who enjoys music. Primarily we are known in the motorcycle industry as one of the traveling rock bands that perform most major rallies.

Tell us about yourself

I started performing at a very young age in bars, around 6 years old. I knew it was what I wanted to do. I am completely self-trained as a singer, songwriter, and musician. Along the way, I realized running your own business was much more than just writing, recording, and performing. I became the booking agent, the CPA, the tour manager, and the marketing team. It has been extremely difficult to handle all of the tasks, but I do find it very rewarding knowing I do not depend on anyone else. If I drop the ball...it's on me. But if I hit a big reward...that was also me.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think staying alive and relevant in the music world over a time span of 20 years is impressive in itself. We all started in music at a young age, and many found that living on the road wasn't something they could handle. Many married and opted to find jobs that kept them at home, closer to their growing families. I chose to do this forever. It can be lonely and overwhelming sometimes, but I do it because I love it. I've grown a really supportive fan base, and they keep me going. I love that we have marketed our brand and become more than just music. It's nice to see the interest in what we enjoy continue to grow and give us new avenues to create.

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

As a musician, finances are always going to be the hardest part. Over the years I've seen the music industry change so much that you had to rely on becoming multi-faceted to make money. The music was basically free to lure people to you. Once you had them, you had to keep them. Whereas, as a music artist, it used to be purely about the music, and people were willing to pay for that. Now they expect it for free.

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

Do your homework. Read the books and study, study, study so you can know what is most likely to go wrong and correct it before it becomes a problem. I read several music industry books before I began this career...even as a teenager.
Lead by example. If you have employees like I do, I never ask them to do a job they haven't watched me do many times by myself. They respect that I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty, and it also shows that I won't tolerate being lazy or complacent. If they don't want to do the job, I will find someone willing. Finding people willing to work has been very hard post-COVID.
Be genuinely gracious to those that support you. I'm fortunate to have such supportive fans. I don't take that for granted one single day.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jasminecain.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasminecainrocks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminecain/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jasminecainrock

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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