I remember running sessions overnight and producing music for the fun of it, now I develop systems that track studio usage and production catalog maintenance. These things are signs that the House Studio thought process is maturing with its CEO. I would advise all Entrepenuers to look at their current business models and think of the long term success of your company. How are you paying your staff? How is your companies value measured? How do you plan on retiring?

Put these things into your daily thought process and you might find yourself “Growing Up”

I look at some of the interns that come to our studio now and I am amazed that they actually look for the least amount of work possible. How do you plan on growing if you can’t make an impact in the least stressful job in the building? You have basic responsibilities and can shine by doing the slightest bit of overachieving.

I look for intangibles in interns that have nothing to do with their ability to record, mix, master. I want to know who will stop and pick up that piece of paper out front of the building blowing around in the parking lot. I mean its trash, and there are trash cans outside of the building but dozens of people will walk past as if its not out of place. I have to fight the urge to go pick it up, and will watch it from my office Window every time someone walks into the building. One thing I’ve seen is the intern who stops and picks up that piece of paper has always gone on to become an important part of our team. (Hint: If you intern for me….Pick up the piece of paper in the parking lot)

Most Kids hated spring cleaning, I loved when the dumpsters were brought to our neighborhood that first week in March every year. I would spend most of the year planning on how we can make our home more efficient. I would look at how the closets are organized, and what we are storing in the cabinets and under sinks. I would take all the time needed to plan out my “Assult” on the junk that we aqquired over the year. When the Dumpster was dropped off I would go to work. I had a week to get the House “Right” and I would execute my mission perfectly every time.

I approach Mixing the same way. I listen to the pre-view of the song and hear every thing that is out of place. Every instrument that needs tweaking, and vocal that needs correction. I write out a plan of action and then go to work. I have not had a chance to mix as much as I like in the past 2 years due to us getting the House Brand off the ground. The more I hear records being made in our building I itch more and more to get in the lab and get to cleaning.

The Beautiful thing is, it feel like the Dumpster is coming soon and I will be able to “Spring Clean” the HOUSE Records.

Now that I run my own business I understand what my dad was saying. The Business world stats at 9am sharp. That said, it takes time to get things rolling. Emails, Phone Calls, Business Plans, Gym Workouts, Commute. The average worker is up 3-4 hours before they have to report to work. How many people work a 9-5 and wake up at 5am?

As a Business owner my hours are “all day / everyday” with no exceptions for holidays, special occasions, or personal days. This makes it easy to wake up before the sun most days and go to sleep long after most people have turned in. Sleep is mandatory but not a luxury. I actually don’t look forward to sleeping but more to waking up. Every day is a new challenge that I like to get a jump start on and so I am up before most High Schoolers or 2 hour commuters getting my day started.

You can’t expect a higher level of success if you sleep more than or the same as everyone else. My professional success comes easier when my daily routine starts earlier. Its obviously not the only key to success, but the discipline in a daily routine that starts before the sun rises is normally the first step to a successful journey.

Yudu Gray Jr.