We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ariel Hutchins a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ariel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success has so many definitions for me depending upon which area of my life I am applying it to. We all have so many dimensions to our lives as well as within ourselves so success may be present in one aspect of our world while a sense of failure may be operational in another…. I have 3 small children and I’ve heard that you are only as happy as your unhappiest child…. I think this is true of life overall in that we gravitate and apply our energy where we have our greatest disappointment at any moment in time….
so our inclination is to set joy aside and put it at risk which is a shame. This often leads us to live in the past, miss out on the present and sacrifice the future.

I resist this gravitational pull as much as possible. I want to resolve disappointment not dwell on it because the distraction it threatens is potentially very damaging and it feeds on itself.

So I strive for perspective and balance personally and professionally. I never lose sight of my priorities and my blessings…. It’s a discipline that takes daily practice but success in my life greatly outweighs any sense of failure.

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.

My career officially launched with the release of my first recorded single titled “Wine Won’t Work”. This song soared to number one on the Texas Regional Radio Chart, the grandaddy of the Texas Charts, and that’s when I was given my first real glimpse of opportunity and possibility….

I had been playing guitar, singing songwriting and performing all through the years prior but that was when I had confirmation that my talent was big enough to follow my dreams to the next level. That single caught the ear of some industry professionals who rallied and put a team of committed people behind me and off we went. My next 2 singles reached number one and I have high hopes for this next one! My band is opening for Country Music superstars and headlining at awesome Texas venues. We’re giving this all we have and loving every minute of the journey!

I grew up in the Texas foster care system and I know first hand how tough it is to make your way through and achieve success much less to hope to have the luxury of finding that success in pursuit of your passion. I want every child to believe in themselves, in their talent, in their passions and whether full time, part time or in spare time….to keep these fires burning!

I do a lot of fundraising for foster children and I hope my music and my conversations with them contribute to the hope and encouragement they need to live the full lives they deserve. And I hope my own three little ones as well are watching, learning and leaning into a belief in themselves fired by the promise and calling they carry within.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

My manager is essentially my partner. Our paths crossed with my first single because she had written that song and the demo was sitting at her producer’s studio, Big Note Recording in Abilene. She gave me the opportunity to record the song and after hearing the recording she elected to underwrite the release. We became fast friends during that process and elected to move forward applying our respective talents and acumen to the various legs of this music business model. There is a lot to making this clock tick…. You have to have someone dotting all the “i’s” and crossing all the “t’s”, someone who shares your vision, commitment and sense of urgency. I could not do this without her insight and effort along with that of the team we’ve put together. We’re in this for the long haul and I cannot imagine trying to do this flying solo!

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In terms of pivoting in order to make the necessary commitment….. it’s a story again, of others throwing in. In my case my family circle along with some great friends knew I’d need their help or I’d never get past square one.

I have 3 children under the age of six. Their childhood and well-being are my number one priority. My husband and our families along with my team make it possible for me to be the mother my children deserve and that I want to be.
My schedule is designed to accommodate the time I need at home
and the music takes a bit of a back seat right now for this reason it might seem but I have no regret as a parent and that peace of mind enables me to give recording and performing 110% of my energy and focus when I step into that arena.

I am blessed to be able to both parent and perform and I am beholden to those who facilitate this for me! I am blessed in every aspect of my life and there isn’t a moment in the day I take any of it for granted.

Contact Info:

• Website: Arielhutchinsmusic.com
• Other: My website has my social media links on it….

Image Credits
Charming photography