We were lucky to catch up with Dr. Heidi Kay Begay recently and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Heidi Kay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.
One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was going back to school to pursue my doctorate. At the time, I had a stable, full-time job as an independent contractor in Fort Worth, teaching 50-60 flute students. Leaving that behind meant giving up a steady income and the stability my husband and I had, especially since he also had a secure job at a church in Keller. But deep down, we felt that God was calling us to take a leap of faith.
We trusted His voice and, as much as we could, tried to be obedient to His purpose for our lives. That calling led us to pack up our lives and move about 5-6 hours west to Lubbock, Texas, where I enrolled at Texas Tech University to pursue my DMA in flute. It was a major shift, and yes, financially, it was risky. Leaving behind our comfort zone wasn’t easy, but it felt like the right move for us.
Since graduating in 2018, the journey has been a whirlwind. The risk absolutely paid off, though maybe not in the ways I initially expected. While we’re still working on the financial return on investment from the degree, the personal and professional growth has been invaluable. That move and decision to listen to God’s voice has been foundational to setting us up for our current business portfolio. It pushed us to lean into our faith more deeply and trust His guidance every step of the way.
Along the journey, we met incredible people who helped shape us both personally and professionally, and for that, I’m so grateful. Post-graduation, we continued to take risks, especially in building our businesses. Without a background in business, we had to learn on the go – but that challenge has helped us grow into business owners and given us the tools to help others blaze their own trails in the music industry and beyond.
Taking that initial risk has allowed us to serve others, encouraging them to take their own leaps of faith, knowing that with the right support, they can find financial and creative fulfillment, even when the traditional path may not be an option.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Dr. Heidi Kay Begay, and I wear a lot of hats, but at the core, I’m passionate about helping musicians find their unique voice, both on and off the stage. My journey into entrepreneurship was born from my own experience as a musician, educator, and creator. I started out in music education, teaching flute, but over the years, I’ve expanded into areas like podcasting, music production, and business coaching for creatives. This expansion wasn’t part of the original plan—it evolved naturally as I recognized gaps in the industry and the needs of other musicians like me who were looking for more than the traditional career paths in music.
Today, I run several businesses that serve the music and creative industries in different, yet connected, ways:
J&K Productions is where my husband Eric and I focus on live sound production. We’re passionate about helping musicians deliver legendary concerts and albums with top-notch sound. Whether it’s setting up live events or working with artists on their recording projects, we’re dedicated to ensuring that the technical side of music enhances the artistry, not detracts from it. Our mission is simple: to create a flawless, immersive experience for audiences while giving musicians the peace of mind to focus on their performance.
Red House Productions is all about podcasting. I help podcasters launch, grow, and monetize their shows. Having been a podcaster myself for several years, I know how powerful a podcast can be for building community, sharing expertise, and growing a brand. I provide clients with tailored support—whether they’re looking to DIY their show or want us to handle the entire process for them. Red House Productions is their home base for everything podcasting-related.
Flute 360 is my heart and soul. It started as a podcast for flutists, but it has grown into a full-fledged business and holistic studio. My goal with Flute 360 is to support the modern-day flutist, not just as an artist but as a person and a career-focused go-getter. I understand that the flute world is competitive and that it’s not enough to just be a good player—you have to develop your artistry, find your unique voice, and grow a career that reflects who you are. I help flutists build confidence in their playing, expand their career opportunities, and connect with a community that understands their journey.
The Pivoting Musician is where I help musicians think and act like entrepreneurs. So many musicians are trained in their craft, but they’re not taught how to run a business. This program provides musicians with the tools they need to pivot their careers, explore new opportunities, and create financial stability. I’m particularly proud of this work because it empowers musicians to take control of their futures. By learning business principles, they can build careers that go beyond traditional paths like academia or performance gigs. I co-own this business with my friend and colleague, Dr. Garrett Hope.
What sets me apart, I believe, is the holistic approach I take in all these areas. Whether I’m working with musicians, podcasters, or creatives, I’m not just focused on the technical skills—I’m interested in helping people grow as individuals, as artists, and as business owners. I’ve walked the path of uncertainty, where it felt like I had to reinvent myself to survive in this ever-changing industry, and I’ve built my businesses to help others do the same.
I’m most proud of the community I’ve built through all of my ventures. Whether it’s the flutists in the Flute 360 Accelerator program, the musicians pivoting into entrepreneurship, or the podcasters launching their shows, I’m deeply invested in helping people succeed. What I want people to know about me and my work is that I truly believe in the potential of every individual I work with. Whether they’re artists looking for their next big break, or entrepreneurs just getting started, I want them to know that they’re not alone. I’ve got their back, and together, we can build something meaningful.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I’m humbled to say that people trust me, but I truly believe that trust has been built through time, effort, and energy spent on building real relationships. At the heart of any business, especially mine, is servitude. I approach my work with a heart of servitude, always aiming to be where God has called me and serving the people He has entrusted to me. It’s about putting others’ needs before your own and truly listening to them.
People buy from those they know, like, and trust, and that trust doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from being authentic, showing up consistently, and building relationships from a genuine place. I believe that when you focus on serving others and stay true to who you are, the right people will naturally find you. They’ll want to work with you, and those relationships will grow and scale in ways you never imagined. So for me, it’s about leading with humility and a spirit of service, and letting everything else flow from that foundation.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I didn’t necessarily need to completely unlearn, but definitely had to tweak, is my work ethic. I’ve always been a hard worker, and I take pride in that. But over the last 10 years, as I’ve dealt with injuries and health challenges, I’ve had to remind myself that working non-stop isn’t sustainable. My natural tendency is to push myself to work 24/7, but I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that rest is just as important as hard work.
I had to realize that if you don’t make time to rest, reflect, and invest in your health, everything else in your life starts to suffer—your relationships, your business, your team, even the organization of your home. Health needs to be a non-negotiable priority. One of my non-negotiables is exercise, and getting 8-10 hours of sleep each night! If you don’t have your mental, spiritual, and physical health, you truly have nothing.
Through my own physical injuries, I’ve learned the importance of carving out time for healing. Whether you’re feeling great or you’re going through a tough time physically, putting your health first is essential. It’s not selfish to take care of your body and mind. Movement is crucial—whether that’s walking, running, swimming, or anything that gets your heart pumping.
I also recommend taking a close look at your diet, but not in a restrictive sense. It’s about upgrading to a lifestyle that supports your health. Whole, nutrient-dense foods that God created for our bodies to thrive on should be the foundation. I’ve found anti-inflammatory foods to be particularly beneficial—things like poultry, wild-caught fish, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats like nuts and seeds. I’ve also researched the medicinal benefits of essential oils like myrrh, frankincense, and helichrysum, which have been amazing additions to my wellness routine.
Strength training has also been key for me because your muscle mass is so important to your overall health. I would encourage anyone to find holistic doctors who support your journey and help you create a sustainable, thriving life. Taking care of your health allows everything else in your life to flow better—from relationships to businesses, and beyond.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://heidikaybegay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heidikaybegay/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-kay-begay-d-m-a-173a6b107/
- Twitter: https://x.com/heidikaybegay
- Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flute-360/id1363274048
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/red-house-productions/id1739270523
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-pivoting-musician/id1593816007
