A: Describe your Business.

My Business is a multi faceted Music Studio, geared toward 3 directions.

The First is Teaching both privately, and clinics, as well as being a hired guitarist for Jazz Clubs, Wedding Events, or any Event that needs musical entertainment. So either as solo musician, a function band, or a Teacher and Clinician, this covers both the Educator in me, of which I have 15 years experience as and 10 of those as professional guitarist. This is will be the financial generator for the rest of my studio, so it is important that I get this up first and foremost.

The Composition Side of the Studio is geared toward writing Jingles, Theme Music, Background Music, or Scores for Documentaries. This is a very lucrative market if one has the equipment to compete with other media studios. Locally I have a range of options for making money in this market for television and for radio because of my father whom is in the business and has been for 23 years.

Contacts in this kind of business mean everything! You can be horrible at a job, but know the right person and still keep it. So if you know the right person, and are very good at what you do, then you are sure to make some money. When that contact is your father, like it is with me, then it really ups my chances for success and consistency.

Students, Teachers and other Educators when doing projects look for people like me to score their films and other kinds of media. There is no one really doing this kind of work around here because of the lack of talent, time and equipment to do the job.

So in essence a Composition studio allows me to make money here, and all over the world via the web. I can write music for anyone, anywhere, at any time.

The Third component of my business plan is a Recording Studio. With shows like the Voice, American Idol, and Americas Got Talent, people are looking to get their audition CD out to the right people. Talent Organizations are in Maine quite a bit looking for Artists, Actors and Musicians. So being able to offer this kind of service up in Northern Maine where no one is doing this kind of work especially at this level, gives me an edge on the market. I have the experience, Location, Resources, and Credentials behind me to be very successful at all three components of my business.

B: BUSINESS LOCATION.

The Location of my studio will be here in my home for the teaching and composition side of my business, and the recording studio will be next door at my towns local Church, though maybe a studio in Orono, or on the Island would be in the future. I also have an opportunity at a local book store to teach there on Mondays, and would like to maybe see if other places like BAM or Bullmoose would do the same.

C: EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS:

15 years as a Teacher/Guitarist, and I have studied under: Greg Howe, Guitarist for Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Enrique Iglesias. 2 years Dave Weiner, Guitarist for Steve Vai for 13 years. 2 years Chuck Winfield Trumpet player for Blood Sweat and Tears. 3 years Steve Grover Drummer for Legendary Guitarist Lenny Breau 2 years And a Host of others, though not famous, are the best musicians I have ever had the privilege of learning from.

I went to The University of Maine for Music Composition (4 years), then to Full Sail University for Music Composition for Television and Video Games (1 year.)

During that time I wrote several pieces of music, one of them for a pilot cartoon called, Gideon the Great, of which went around to film festivals all over the world.

I also was working with Georgina Lighting on her sons first film called, Creators of the Moon, of which production stopped due to content, and lack of direction from the Producer and Director.

There is an open invitation from Georgina at anytime for me to submit my work to her, as well as there are invitations from the musicians and educators above to submit my work to them for critique, or to apply for a job with them on projects.

At Fullsail there is an open invitation to all Alumni to submit work, and to be listed as an artist for hire.

Private Teacher and Hired Gun

As for Education I was a fill in instructor at Northern Kingdom Music in Camden Rockport for one of their senior instructors. I was there for about 1 year, and moved to a private studio here in Bangor.

I had my own studio called, Fusion Guitar Studios, and I had that name for about 6-7 years, while going through college.

I ran clinics at Brewer High School under the Music Teacher Brady Harris, and at Bangor High School, and Lee Academy under William Bell. I also played in several of their pit bands for musicals such as, Les Miserable, Grease, and Aiada.

I was in the University of Maines Big Band Orchestras guitarist for 2007-2008, and I was awarded a position by the United States Air Force as guitarist for Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio after auditioning at Hansom Air force Base in 2008 with their top guitarists and band directors. I did not take position.

D: The Biggest Challenge to my Business and What Steps do I have to take to over come them?

The only issue I have with that is going to be concerned with is the outside noise when recording a session. The location I am in does not have acoustic reinforcement so other sounds can infiltrate the recording, which could be very disastrous.

I have over come this in three ways:1. You record directly into the computer using several interfaces that allow you to capture your sound without a mic.2. Acoustic shields that are clear, and can be taken up, and down, so no building is required. This keeps sound in, and other sounds out.3. To record later on in the evenings and at certain times in the early mornings where there are no traffic going by, so weekend recording sessions only for now.

Video Editing/Photography

I have worked with friends of mine that are quite famous on several of their projects. Nigel Hall from Soulive on his solo video, Anger, of which I did the video production and editing. I also worked with my friend A.J Harvey and his band, Last Chance to Reason, of which they just got off of a North American Tour with some of the Worlds biggest and most famous metal bands. I did their photo shoot, music video and press kit for them, along with my colleague Neil Shelly back in 2011 while working for the University of Maine.

MANANAGEMENT PLAN:

A: Will Anyone Work With You on Your Business:

Yes. My wife, whom is going to help with managing the income coming in from the Business. There is a man by the name of Scott (Last Name) and he owns a financial counseling and accounting business called (Business) out of Hamden Maine. He is very successful, and he and I are very good friends, and he will help me set up everything that is needed, as well as guide me through the managing, and investing of my income.

I would like to meet with him on a weekly basis for the next year or so, if not longer so that I can maintain sustainability and learn as much as I can. I think it is wise to seek this kind of counsel and support, it ensures ones ultimate success.

B: How many hours a week do you plan to work?

I would to work 10-15 hours per week. My going rate is 15 a half hour, and 30 an hour, and all students pay a month a head of time. At 10 students that is 300 a week roughly, and at 30 hours a week, which I believe is doable, translates into 900.00 a week, which of course in my field is beyond doable. In-fact I have very good friends with same qualifications and charge the same rate and have 93 students here in Bangor, so demographically it is very to make 1/3 of this amount every week at the least.

Gear and Equipment that is needed and why.

I have attached along with this business plan an equipment list that I believe would aid me greatly in every area of my business that I want to establish. Having solid, updated equipment will provide me with the essential tools to really succeed.