30A- Final Reflection

After reading through all of my prior posts, I can see it has been quite a journey. There have been times where I've been doubted, times when I doubted myself, and times when I doubted my friends. I have had to accept that though, because nothing is perfect and failure is only meant to teach you more and more. I have met so many new people throughout this course, from online to in person. They have broadened my horizons and have made me see things differently. I am thankful for everyone on my journey. There have been moments of pain, of sadness, and of regret. These are the times I was tested the most, but as long as you stay true to yourself and your vision, everything is going to be okay. I know every time I felt like quitting, it was just a reminder to keep on going. 

The most formative experience for me was just creating a team to help achieve this business concept. We are all diverse in our own ways, but we share a common purpose and that's to help people through music and art. I'll always remember when I was shown Logic Pro for the first time. That was the software that really got me started. If it wasn't for my friend Nico showing me it. I wouldn't be where I am today. I am most proud of myself for not giving up. Even when people said they didn't like my music or that I should just write music, I just kept trying. I believed in myself and that's all that matters.

I do see myself as an entrepreneur now. I think the biggest thing I learned and that changed about my perspective, is that now I see many more opportunities around me. I no longer just see problems, but I see the solutions as well. I also have gotten a lot better at describing and elaborating my visions to other people.

I would recommend that anyone who takes this journey or class prepares ahead of time for all of their assignments and goes into this with an open mind. I think people need to really learn how to work hard and communicate with others as well. I would tell them to make sure they know when deadlines are so they don't miss anything. Most importantly, it's all about being around people who are like-minded.

29A- Venture Concept No. 2

My venture concept stems from a very open opportunity that I discovered while in college. I started off writing and freestyling music, but I needed a sound engineer to have an instrumental to put my words onto. It took me several months to find someone that did that, and when I did, they ended up moving out of the state. I eventually found someone that didn’t engineer instrumentals, but could record my lyrics and I was very content. This was until I heard the final product and realized that he was not professional at all. I understood at that point that quality is a major factor in music production. This was around the time that I discovered the open opportunity. I wanted to not only engineer instrumentals for musicians, but I also wanted to help record people’s lyrics as well. This was the start of my journey in developing Trust and seeing how all the pieces come together. The first thing I did was think of the demographics. I wanted to understand who else has these problems and desires. I found out that there are many other people who want to make music as well. Even better, many of those people do not know how to make the music, they only know how to write the lyrics, just like I did when I was starting out. This is around the time that I started learning how to make instrumentals and record. My friend Nico was actually one of the first people to get me into it, and he taught me a lot of the basics. I saw that he had all of the equipment necessary to start recording, mixing and mastering. This intrigued my interest. I wanted to learn how to do all of that, but I also knew that time was crucial to getting this idea off of the ground. This is the point where I asked Nico if he would be down to start working together and creating a mini studio for people in South Florida. He told me that he thought it was a good idea and that he was all for it. At this point, we started writing up our business plan and we had to come up with a marketing campaign. We did it, and then came the act of getting all of the equipment together. This required a strategy as well, because we had to create an environment friendly to the customer, but also comfortable to us. Luckily, Nico already had all the equipment and we both had the skills necessary to move forward at that time. Our next biggest pivot comes then. This is where we started thinking about gaining more views, because a lot of revenue comes from streams. We realized there are many platforms that pay for music streams, but there are not as many that pay for video streams. This immediately made us think of YouTube. This meant we had to start creating visuals to the music as well, and also tailoring it to other people.

We started thinking more into expanding the brand, and we located another opportunity right in front of us. It was that of music videos. Music videos were such a big part of the music culture and we really believed it was the next step in making Trust an even more valuable company and brand. We both knew how to make music, but neither of us knew how to make music videos though. We knew that we had to outsource for this skill and it just happened to fall into our laps. I was working with someone who had a company at UF called Roblex. They offered many different videography options and would do small films, ads, and videos for a price. We realized that all of their employees were experienced videographers and this made us realize they would be perfect for our position. We needed someone who could make videos and act as a contractor. They didn’t have to be with us while we were making the music, but we needed them when someone would request a music video. They would then come, hear the vision of the customer, and recreate that vision with a bit of their own twist. This made us a triple threat. There are many studios that record, mix and master music. There are fewer studios that record your music and offer instrumentals. There are even fewer studios that record, offer instrumentals and create music videos in one. We knew that we were onto something, we just had to pitch the idea to our videographer and then our team would be all set. The biggest realization in all of this, was that the foundation of this was our team. We were all compatible and our skills were complimentary, that was the most distinct feature. I believed this was the secret key to our company's success.

The venture concept had then arose. We were an all around production company, focused on music, but also providing video services as well. This really helped set our foundation, and it was the beginning point of everything to come. We then all three started brainstorming on how we would market ourselves. We thought it would be in our best interest to offer many discounted deals. We started with buy one, get one free instrumentals, and then we moved onto the refer-a-friend program. That was one of our best ideas, because it helped expand our customer base, retain previous customers, and it gave our customers a bonus for referring us to other people. It was a win win for everyone involved. From this point on, we knew we had to reach people through different platforms. We started on IG, Twitter and Facebook. We started making stickers with our information and logo on it and we started sticking it in different places that we knew our demographic frequented. This gave us our initial first impression, and our discounts and programs started really taking shape. Once we started, it became clearer what our mission was. It was to give people an opportunity that they didn’t have previously in content production. We wanted to allow people to express themselves in whatever way they envisioned. We knew that most people didn’t have the equipment or the skill set needed to create and record music, as well as make music videos, so that was our speciality. We made that the bread and butter to this venture concept and we gave people a voice. This was very fulfilling for all of the team, because we all started off interested in our respective fields and wanting to know someone who had the skills to create these things, but found out it was rare to find those people. Now we were those people and it was a good feeling giving back. We all felt as though our purpose was to share these gifts, passions and skills with other people. We took a trip down memory lane and remembered our beginnings. We didn't have the skills needed either at that time, but we eventually grew and learned. We also knew how hard it was finding people who actually had them. That is when we realized this is what we had to do. A very important piece of feedback we received, was that we had to really discover our niche. Next, we got asked how we transitioned into Youtube and music videos from just doing music. Lastly, we had some feedback wondering what we aimed to get out of this. We had to understand exactly why we were doing what we were doing and what made us any different from anyone else doing the same thing. This is why I talked about the team and how I thought it was the secret key to our success. The second piece of feedback is where I explained the realization we had about streams, especially from videos. This lead us in the direction of Youtube, as well as finding a viodeographer. At this point, we had a mini production team. Honestly, the answer to the last bit of feedback is very simple. We just love music and want to share it with as many people as we can. We want to give everyone an opporntunity to make content and learn how to themselves. Below, is what our recording and audio engineering software looks like.

27A - Reading Reflection No.3

Cognitive Surplus

1. The general theme of the book is explains what we really use our free time for. It explains that social media has given a platform to people who have never had a chance to find their true artistic ability. This in turn has allowed many people to self-actualize. It explains the difference between creative and consumptive activities and it aims to explain why collaboration is one of the greatest tools. It also tries to tell you that not everything has to be used for what it was created for. An empty swimming pool is usually built for people to swim in it, but that doesn’t mean that skateboarders can’t use it to have fun. The same goes for social media. We don’t have to use it by consuming only, we can create and express ourselves.

2. It definitely connected with what we have learned about the collaborative spirit in this class. There are many things that we need to learn alone and even more that we have to learn together. I think it also really connected with the creativity aspect of this class. It talked about how we all have innate desires to create and the ability to express ourselves. Whether this is a thought, feeling or idea, we can bring it to life.

3. I would give people a blank social media and I would ask them to fill it up. That would require them to pick a theme that’s consistent. I would then ask them to create the content and post it. I would give them the option of working alone or with others. I would have them judge each other’s accounts after a month and see who they think has the most influential account.


4. My biggest breakthrough was realizing that I was utilizing a lot of the techniques and aspects described in this book. I have been taking this corona virus time to really create the life I want to live and to bring my ideas to life. I want to be able to say that I used my time wisely. I am really using the technology and social media I have, to help others as much as possible. I have really been practicing my creative skills as well, and have not been giving into distraction.

28A - Your Exit Strategy

1. I plan on growing my recording studio for a c couple decades. I think it may be possible that I sell the business, but I don't think it is as feasible to sell this as it is for other companies. There isn't any IP that is really being sold. The most important and unique feature of this company is the equipment and people working it. I could see myself doing this for a long time, growing the studio to the point at which there are many customers and possibly entering the industry of VR. After this I could see it becoming a label possibly, promoting artists. I do not plan on passing this down to my children, but now that I think of it, that is a possibility for sure.

2. I selected this exit strategy because I want to see this company progress myself. I want to help many upcoming artists, and I want to see them succeed. This isn't about money to me, it is about making a positive impact in the music world. I want to give other people the chance to create their content without being ripped off in terms of cost. I would also love to help my children make music as well.

3. I think my exit strategy has reflected in the ways in which I picked my team. I chose people who I knew I wanted to be in my life for a long time. They are all really good friends of mine and I trust them all. I do not want them to feel like it is a temporary job, but rather a hobby that pays them. It definitely influenced how I plan to grow the company. I am taking a slower, steadier route in growth. I want to have everyone feel as though they are working and living through their passion. The goal is to self-actualize, not sell the company and get out of it.

26A - Celebrating Failure

1. This semester, I started to really get into music production. My friend was the first one to show me how it worked. When I first started, it seemed so difficult and confusing. I really didn't understand it at all. I started watching YouTube tutorials and I learned a bit, but it was still so confusing when I would actually be on the software. I then started to teach myself through Logic Pro X. I failed so many times and created some of the worst music I have ever heard. There was a lot of trial and error. When I would show people my early music, they wouldn't really have anything to say. They mostly just said I had a long way to go. It took many months until I finally started to get the hang of it. After so many failures, and so many horrible compositions, I finally started learning music theory.

2. I learned that I never actually failed. Just like Edison, I found thousands of ways that sounds don't sound good together. This helped me greatly in finding the ways in which it does sound harmonious. Also, every time someone would give me bad feedback or critique my music, I learned to use it as motivation and really listen to these people. I had to realize that these people just wanted to help me get better. I started to appreciate the critiques more and more, as I also got inspired by every time I created something I didn't like. It just made the music I did like, sound so much better.

3. I learned how to accept failure early in my life through sports. I played water polo and I had a very expressive, strict coach. He would yell at me for everything I did, even when I did something right. This made me grow some thick skin, and I learned to overlook failure and instead look to progress. I was no longer disappointed or embarrassed by failure, all I focused on was improving myself. This carried into everything else I did. It helped a lot in my businesses, and it definitely helped a lot in music as well. You need to relax the fear and insecurity that comes with failure sometimes. This class taught me that failure feels a lot better than regret. It is much better to at least try, than wish we did later on. I have learned this from a lot of the people I interviewed.

25A- What's Next?

Existing Market:

We will be including music videos in our services provided, that is what is next for our company. I then interviewed three people in this existing market and explained to them my venture concept and then started asking them questions in relation to what they think should be next. 

After listening to their feedback, they all agreed that I needed to expand the team I have in relation to the music videos. Two of them believed that it was more crucial than the music itself, since a lot more streams and views go into music that have videos to go along with it. I told them my idea of intertwining all three services together and they agreed that it was a good idea, but I have to be prepared for a high demand in music videos. 

They told me to make sure that I have enough people for the music production side as well, but they really wanted me to focus on the videography. I definitely agree with their feedback, because I have noticed that music videos are a trend, and a lot of them are pretty cheap to shoot. They don’t require many props or costs, so doing them is relatively easy as well, the reason most people don’t do it themselves is because they don’t have the equipment. 

New Market:

The new market I could see us getting into is that of virtual reality. I see there being a very large opportunity in that industry, because it is just another novel platform for content creators. I think it could revolutionize music and music videos. 

If we were to go into that industry, I would have to hire programmers and VR coders that could create the content and visions of our customers and put it into virtual reality. This would have a lot more costs than just shooting a music video, but I feel that there will be artists willing to pay for their music and content to be next level. 

I told two people the idea and how we plan on moving forward and they told me some valuable advice. They told me to keep working on this idea and make connections. They said to go to virtual reality companies and find people who already know how it works and are already experienced in those fields. Pitch the idea to them. They also told me to keep doing research.

A lot surprised me in this activity, because I had never really thought of intertwining virtual reality with music videos before, but I realized it is completely possible. I think the key is just getting the right team together, that’s the most important piece to the puzzle. I do agree with my interviewees though, when they told me to focus on connections. Building a large network is essential to moving forward.

I also agree with the interviewees in my existing market, who told me that I needed to expand in the music video department. I think that will be the first to blow up, and then anything with virtual reality will follow. I think there will be less of a platform for VR until it becomes more mainstream, but when it does, I think it is going to be the next biggest thing.

24A- Venture Concept No. 1 - Trust

My venture concept stems from a very open opportunity that I discovered while in college. I started off writing and freestyling music, but I needed a sound engineer to have an instrumental to put my words onto. It took me several months to find someone that did that, and when I did, they ended up moving out of the state. I eventually found someone that didn’t engineer instrumentals, but could record my lyrics and I was very content. This was until I heard the final product and realized that he was not professional at all. I understood at that point that quality is a major factor in music production. This was around the time that I discovered the open opportunity. I wanted to not only engineer instrumentals for musicians, but I also wanted to help record people’s lyrics as well. This was the start of my journey in developing Trust and seeing how all the pieces come together. The first thing I did was think of the demographics. I wanted to understand who else has these problems and desires. I found out that there are many other people who want to make music as well. Even better, many of those people do not know how to make the music, they only know how to write the lyrics, just like I did when I was starting out. This is around the time that I started learning how to make instrumentals and record. My friend Nico was actually one of the first people to get me into it, and he taught me a lot of the basics. I saw that he had all of the equipment necessary to start recording, mixing and mastering. This intrigued my interest. I wanted to learn how to do all of that, but I also knew that time was crucial to getting this idea off of the ground. This is the point where I asked Nico if he would be down to start working together and creating a mini studio for people in South Florida. He told me that he thought it was a good idea and that he was all for it. At this point, we started writing up our business plan and we had to come up with a marketing campaign. We did it, and then came the act of getting all of the equipment together. This required a strategy as well, because we had to create an environment friendly to the customer, but also comfortable to us. Luckily, Nico already had all the equipment and we both had the skills necessary to move forward at that time. Our next biggest pivot comes then. 

We started thinking more into expanding the brand, and we located another opportunity right in front of us. It was that of music videos. Music videos were such a big part of the music culture and we really believed it was the next step in making Trust an even more valuable company and brand. We both knew how to make music, but neither of us knew how to make music videos though. We knew that we had to outsource for this skill and it just happened to fall into our laps. I was working with someone who had a company at UF called Roblex. They offered many different videography options and would do small films, ads, and videos for a price. We realized that all of their employees were experienced videographers and this made us realize they would be perfect for our position. We needed someone who could make videos and act as a contractor. They didn’t have to be with us while we were making the music, but we needed them when someone would request a music video. They would then come, hear the vision of the customer, and recreate that vision with a bit of their own twist. This made us a triple threat. There are many studios that record, mix and master music. There are fewer studios that record your music and offer instrumentals. There are even fewer studios that record, offer instrumentals and create music videos in one. We knew that we were onto something, we just had to pitch the idea to our videographer and then our team would be all set. 

The venture concept had then arose. We were an all around production company, focused on music, but also providing video services as well. This really helped set our foundation, and it was the beginning point of everything to come. We then all three started brainstorming on how we would market ourselves. We thought it would be in our best interest to offer many discounted deals. We started with buy one, get one free instrumentals, and then we moved onto the refer-a-friend program. That was one of our best ideas, because it helped expand our customer base, retain previous customers, and it gave our customers a bonus for referring us to other people. It was a win win for everyone involved. From this point on, we knew we had to reach people through different platforms. We started on IG, Twitter and Facebook. We started making stickers with our information and logo on it and we started sticking it in different places that we knew our demographic frequented. This gave us our initial first impression, and our discounts and programs started really taking shape. Once we started, it became clearer what our mission was. It was to give people an opportunity that they didn’t have previously in content production. We wanted to allow people to express themselves in whatever way they envisioned. We knew that most people didn’t have the equipment or the skill set needed to create and record music, as well as make music videos, so that was our speciality. We made that the bread and butter to this venture concept and we gave people a voice. This was very fulfilling for all of the team, because we all started off interested in our respective fields and wanting to know someone who had the skills to create these things, but found out it was rare to find those people. Now we were those people and it was a good feeling giving back.