We had the good fortune of connecting with LexC and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LexC, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My reasons for starting my own business were completely selfish. I wanted an entity that would represent me as a music artist and would be used to give me legitimacy as well as serve as an umbrella for any ventures “LexC” went into.

Often times, as music artists, the creative side of things are easy and get the most attention, but we often forget that we’re part of the music “business.” In order to be a “successful” music artist, we have to treat ourselves as such and take ourselves seriously. Nothing says, “I’m serious,” more than having things in place such as an LLC, a business bank account, systems for how you pay yourself, outlines of monthly quotas and spending budget, etc. The “music” part of the “music business” is actually very small at maybe 10% of the equation, while the business side accounts for everything else. We want to do music for a long time, so we have to make sure we are putting systems in place that will support our longevity!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
LexC Solo Group LLC was set up to service my artist brand, LexC! It is an umbrella for which all things LexC filter through. I wouldn’t call it a traditional business, as most things involving creativity are never traditional, but I would say I’ve found a way to adapt the business and the creativity.

I have traditional systems in place to complement my creative side, and this is where I think most creatives give pushback. Many creatives don’t want to DEAL with the business side of things because they believe they shouldn’t have to worry about that. They should just be allowed to create, and that makes them right and wrong. Having to construct a business and build systems definitely drains a lot of energy that could be given to the creative side of things. However, when done right, creating a system for our creative endeavors that only needs tweaking over time will ensure that we can feed our inner artist as well as take care of our adult responsibilities.

I did not start out the gate with music as the sole funding source of my life. That took about 7 years to get to that point! I started pursuing music professionally in 2013, but I didn’t rely on music solely until 2020. During those 7 years, I was working regular jobs and gaining my footing with being a young adult and paying bills on my own while going to school. I was a broke college student, like most other students, and I learned early on how to live off of very little income. Somehow it all worked! I paid my bills on time and built a foundation for how I would handle money no matter where it came from. Whether you’re a creative or not, budgeting is just a way of life!

It wasn’t easy, and I’ve had to miss out on a lot of things because I was so strict with myself and my budget. Even before music money, I couldn’t afford to take trips whenever I wanted. I couldn’t afford to eat out every weekend. There were even times I couldn’t afford groceries and was relying on leftover food at the end of the night at my serving jobs. I couldn’t afford to go out every weekend to party because it cost money (and time) to do my hair and makeup, buy clothes, then spend gas to pay for parking, entry fees, and drinks, even with guys buying most of them! I couldn’t afford to travel to see family, and any extra money I did make was spent on photoshoots, video shoots, or audio gear!

The biggest challenge during this time, and still today, is having to learn to say “no” to doing what everyone around me is doing, even though it all looks so fun. I had to learn to accept my own pace. I had to learn to accept that everyone’s situation is different from mine, and I don’t know what some of these people had to do to get the things they have! This was very lonely because I wasn’t doing what everyone else was doing. I had to separate myself. That’s not fun, and it’s not the sexiest thing to say about doing business.

The final word I would leave for people on this subject is to accept that you are different. Accept that your life will not look the same as others because we’re not MEANT to live the same lives, especially as creatives who are often chasing a high lifestyle. This means we won’t be doing the same things. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can come to peace with moving at your own pace and learning to not compare yourself to those around you!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m actually not the best person to ask these kinds of questions to, haha! However, a few things I love in Atlanta are places like:
– Music night at the High Museum
– The Beltline
– Cheetah
– The Fox Theatre
– A Falcons or Hawks game
– A Braves game
– Centennial Park
– El Malo
– And a few food spots around the city

These are a few things I would do in the city. My idea of fun consists of activities and experiences more than just eating. If it’s something I can get active with or use my hands for, it’s a good time to me!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to God, first and foremost! As I learn how to show up for Him and pour into that relationship, the way I interact with everyone else follows suit!

As far as people in my life, I’d like to shoutout Shawn King, SaintPat, Tony Ingram, DWhite, Maurice Beats, and Gray Keyz for being great people who have inspired me and spoken such life into me. There have been many instances of my spirit needing to be lifted, and these people have, at one point or another, given me words of encouragement or have put ACTION behind their support. I appreciate them so much for lending a hand or a word when needed, especially Shawn King who I’ve recently released a joint album with called “Follow.”

Website: https://www.lexcatl.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexcatl

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LexCATL/videos

Other: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lexc/1011384059

Image Credits
@1treydup; Ace of Hearts Photography; iPerspective Photos

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