Hey friends,
I was answering a question on Quora the other day. A young guy asked what kind of business he should start with $50k–$75k.
Simple question, right? But it stopped me in my tracks.
Because it took me back - about 16 years ago—to my own first attempt at business.
My daughter had just been born. I’d lost my father not long before. I inherited a bit of money. Not a fortune, but enough to give me that itchy feeling - like I had to do something with it. Something bold. Something that would make my old man proud.
So I started a photography business.
Not just doing photography.
I went all in: leased a high street studio, got the branding, the gear, the whole works.
And I failed.
Not because I was a bad photographer.
Not because the town didn’t want pictures.
But because I had no idea how to run a business.
Worse than that - I had no idea how I operated under pressure.
Here’s the bit no one talks about:
Your business will expose you.
Every addiction, every flaw, every coping mechanism you lean on to survive life…
...they’ll all come out to play when the pressure’s on.
For me, it was emotional avoidance. Money management chaos. A deep discomfort with selling.
I just hoped people would walk by, see the sign, and book in. Spoiler alert: they didn’t.
What I should have done was started lean.
Weddings. Portraits. Build demand first, rent later.
Learn sales. Get real about money.
Face the hard stuff.
But like most people, I wanted to skip the character development and get straight to the win.
If I had to distill it down, it would be this:
Before you start any business, look in the mirror.
If you’re not right, the business won’t be either.
That doesn’t mean you have to wait until you’re “fixed” or “perfect” (spoiler: you’ll be waiting forever).
But you need to know yourself. And you need support.
Business is not a quick win - it’s a long game. A spiritual game, even.
And above all - you need sales.
Without a steady stream of customers, you don’t have a business.
You’ve got a very expensive hobby.
So I’m doubling down on that now—proper training, coaching, structure.
Because I’ve learned that most problems in business can be solved with money.
And money comes from customers.
And customers come from confident, consistent sales.
If you’re on a similar journey—whether you’re starting out or hitting the same wall again and again - I see you.
And I’ll be sharing more of what I’m learning, week by week, here in this newsletter.
We don’t need more hacks. We need more honesty.
See you next week.
Spence
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Final thoughts
What’s your challenge as a musician trying to grow your audience?
Hit reply and let me know—I’d love to help you tackle it!
Remember:
Rejection is correction. Ridicule is fuel. Keep thriving.
Until next time,
Spence C