Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brandon Payton-Carrillo, Founder of Lakebeat Music Academy, located in Milwaukee, WI, USA.

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

Lakebeat Music Academy and Hyde Park School of Music provide music lessons and appreciation for the Milwaukee and Chicago metro areas.

Tell us about yourself

I have been a professional musician since the age of 18. Since then, I learned that a working musician had to have multiple income streams, and my path of least resistance was performing and teaching.

After a few years of kicking it around Atlanta, I left for the South Side of Chicago and started the Hyde Park School of Music in 2016, and the Lake beat Music Academy in Milwaukee in 2018. From then on, I believed it was essential to create, teach and curate a musical culture in the Great Lakes region.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Every year I am in business is an accomplishment. Starting with just my guitar and a website to being where we are now is a blessing, and I can't take that for granted.

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

Balancing family, creativity, and business is the hardest part. Sometimes it's a struggle to reach out to new clients when you want to play with the kids, but ultimately they are the reason you put in the time to make the business grow and prosper.

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

  1. Do what you can until you can do what you want.
  2. You don't have to go to start a business on your own. A cooperative model is a great way to share resources and spread risk.
  3. Study up on what type of business you plan to start, but don't let that process be the excuse for inaction.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://lakebeatmusic.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brandon.paytoncarrillo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paytoncarrillo/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bpaytoncarrillo
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-payton-carrillo-920a7734/

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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