We asked insiders and experts from various industries to tell us something they think outsiders are unaware of and we’ve shared a few of those responses below.

Heidi Holton | Guitar slinger, blues singer

The music industry has this beautiful image of the “rock star,” who parties all night and rambles from town to town without a care in the world. And I wish it was true. The reality is SO different. I was fortunate to connect with mentors early on, who had been there and back, and stressed the importance of physical/mental/spiritual well being and having a solid vision and business plan. You are much more likely to see me making a green juice and doing yoga than drinking shots of whiskey and staggering home at 3 am. Career longevity is a priority for me. Read more>>

Noèl Scales | Music Artist

The music industry is an industry. Many artists forget that this industry is a business first. The creative is almost always last. Image, marketing and branding are so key in this game. While you shouldn’t compare yourself to anyone, it can be helpful to see what sells and how its being sold. This is something I am teaching myself, marketing and branding matters. Read more>>

Angellic Richardson | Hair Stylist

The one thing that outsiders are unaware of, is the fact that we do not profit 100% from our business. People express all the time how “that’s too expensive” but we give you the best quality products. We are also in 2023, nothing costs 2006 prices anymore. Read more>>

Brandon Allen | Police Officer, Owner of For The People Coffee Company, Owner of For The People Youth Mentorship Program

I think one of the things outsiders are unaware of is that most of my business proceeds is going back into my mentorship program. Which is guided to lead young men into making good choices in the world. The mentorship program will also teach these young men how to tie a tie, change a tire on car, how to fill out a job application, how to talk and answer questions during a interview and much more! Read more>>

Aaliyah Lang | Freelance Graphic Designer

Black graphic designers make up less than 5% of the population. This is a troubling statistic, as it suggests that there is a lack of diversity within the field. However, black creativity has been an important force in art and design for decades, with roots that can be traced back to the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. Graphic design is a combination of many things, including creativity, art, influence, and passion. Read more>>

 Taylor Avonté | R&B Recording Artist

One thing about trying to make a name for yourself in this music industry especially being an independent artist is staying consistent number one. Also as harsh as it may sound, actually branding yourself as a product. What will make you stand out apart from your talents? What’s going to be YOUR thing that the consumers are going to grasp. You have to have something that grabs people’s attention. It can be your personality, your look, your style, even something you say all the time, maybe it’s something in your music. This industry comes with a lot and I mean A LOT of work and artist development. It’s always a “What’s next?” kind of thing. Read more>>