Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in entertainment but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dan Weiss, Founder of Left Coast Quintet, located in San Diego, CA, USA.

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

The Left Coast Quintet is unlike anything most people have experienced in live music before, and that makes us really unique but also has been a challenge. We are a wind quintet comprised of flute, clarinet, bassoon, oboe, and French horn, and the sounds and atmosphere we bring to events are special and help set the mood. We are hired to perform at corporate events, holiday parties, weddings, birthdays, and private house parties and can easily change the style of what we present with over 300 years of different styles of music. While most classically inspired ensembles similar to ours offer only traditional/classical/Baroque stylings, we have created a large library including Hollywood film themes, jazz, pop, rock covers, and much more. LCQ is a completely unplugged ensemble with no need for amplification, and we set up both indoors and outside in the beautiful variety of venues Southern California has to offer.

Tell us about yourself

I've been a musician since I was in elementary school and eventually picked up the bassoon in middle school, which has stuck with me ever since. Band programs taught me how to perform, but even more importantly, they taught me work ethic, show up early, stay late, come prepared, and help out whenever you can. The band was always a team, and the countless hours spent in leadership positions taught me how to lead by example, listen to all suggestions before making a decision, and how to follow through once a course is set. The Left Coast Quintet was formed in 2014, but all of us in the group have been performing on a professional level for much longer in various symphonies and similar groups around town, so when we came together, we were already friends and enjoyed playing together. Now, we just want to get out there and bring amazing music to as many people as possible - we know that not everyone has an opportunity or desire to go to the symphony hall to listen to music, so our more portable size and configuration allow us to bring soundtracks and melodies to the public to entertain at their events and special occasions. We live to get new bookings, work with new and existing clients, and ensure that the music at their event livens up and welcomes guests to help set the mood.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We are trusted to bring musical ambiance to an assortment of amazing events, but the most special is providing the soundtrack to one of the most important days in a couple's life - their wedding. Being hired for weddings is a lot of work, hours of coordination before the day arrives, rehearsals of new music, ensuring all the musicians have the date down and get there on time, but when that first note sounds and the processional starts, seeing our clients looking at each other while our music plays in the background, that is incredibly special.

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

They don't tell you that besides being great at delivering a product, you also have to be really good at so many other aspects of business, like web development and SEO, marketing, networking, client interface, etc. At the heart of it all, I started LCQ to perform more but have learned more about the ups and downs of running a small business than I had thought I would. It's great, it is a skill that is necessary, but there are certainly days I wish I could just show up, perform, enjoy the music, and go home.

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

  1. Networking is absolutely vital - you can advertise and make an amazing website, cold call, etc., but if you don't have people in your corner rooting for you, pushing you to succeed, and helping to open doors, you will fail.
  2. Keep track of your current customers and follow up with them in the future because they will turn into repeat customers, and there is no easier way to drive away a repeat customer than by not remembering them and treating them as if it was the first time you are meetings.
  3. Always keep your ear to the ground for new emerging trends, the world is always changing, and you need to be as well; otherwise, you'll be left behind offering a product that no one wants or needs.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We would be absolutely honored to provide music for anyone reading today that is thinking of hosting an event or is on the board of a gala or who might be getting married soon. I mentioned before that networking is key, so any leads are, of course, welcome and will be repaid in the future if a need arises!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.leftcoastquintet.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leftcoastquintet
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leftcoastquintet/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandiegobassoon/

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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