We recently connected with Brian Booth and have shared our conversation below.

Brian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Your ability to build a team is often a key determinant of your success as a business owner and so we’d love to get a conversation going with successful entrepreneurs like yourself around what your recruiting process was like -especially early on. How did you build your team?

When I first started my business, it was just me. I wore every hat imaginable—producer, engineer, marketer, salesperson, customer service representative, and sometimes even janitor. Like many entrepreneurs, I thought I had to do everything myself because I cared so much about the quality of the work and the reputation of my brand.

As my business grew, I realized that if I wanted to make a bigger impact, I needed a team. My first hires weren’t based solely on experience; they were people who believed in the vision. I looked for individuals who were reliable, eager to learn, and genuinely wanted to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Some came through networking, some through referrals, and others were people who had already been part of my community and understood what I was building.

My interview process was less about resumes and more about character, attitude, and alignment. Skills can be taught, but work ethic, integrity, and passion are much harder to develop. I wanted people who were willing to grow alongside the company and take ownership of their responsibilities.

One thing I did differently was give people opportunities even when they didn’t have extensive experience. Whether it was interns, volunteers, or aspiring professionals, I focused on mentorship and hands-on training. This approach not only helped build my team but also allowed me to help others develop valuable skills and confidence.

Looking back, if I were starting over today, I would have built systems and documented processes much earlier. For a long time, too much of the business depended on me personally. Creating clear workflows, training materials, and accountability systems sooner would have allowed me to scale faster and spend more time focusing on growth and strategy.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned about building a team is that great businesses are not built by one person. They’re built by people who share a common vision, trust each other, and are committed to serving others at a high level. Today, I continue to invest in developing people because I believe the strength of any organization is ultimately determined by the strength of its team.

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 Brian “Biggz” Booth, a Billboard-charting producer, audio engineer, entrepreneur, educator, and community leader from Norfolk, Virginia. My journey into the music industry started with a passion for creating music and helping artists bring their visions to life. What began as a love for production and recording evolved into a career that has allowed me to work with independent artists, major-label talent, and industry professionals while building businesses that serve creatives and my local community.

I am the founder of ThisisBiggz Productions and Elevated Sounds & Visuals, where I provide recording, mixing, mastering, beat production, artist development, music business consulting, and educational programs for artists, producers, and engineers. My goal is not only to help clients create professional-quality music but also to help them understand the business side of the industry so they can build sustainable careers.

What sets me apart is that I don’t just provide a service—I focus on developing people. Whether I’m working with a first-time artist, an established professional, or a young person looking for guidance, I believe in meeting people where they are and helping them reach the next level. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that talent alone isn’t enough. Success comes from combining creativity, education, relationships, consistency, and business knowledge.

Beyond music, I’m also the founder of the Cleven Harmony Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing music education, mentorship, and creative opportunities for youth and emerging artists. Through workshops, bootcamps, community events, and mentorship programs, we’re helping create pathways for the next generation of creators and leaders.

I also serve as a Virginia real estate professional, helping individuals and families achieve homeownership and build generational wealth. While music and real estate may seem like different industries, both allow me to fulfill the same mission: helping people create opportunities, build futures, and achieve their goals.

What I’m most proud of isn’t any placement, credit, or accomplishment—it’s the lives I’ve been able to impact along the way. Whether it’s helping an artist release their first record, mentoring a young producer, supporting a family through a real estate transaction, or creating opportunities through my nonprofit, I measure success by the positive impact I leave on others.

At the core of everything I do is a commitment to service, education, and empowerment. My mission is to use my experience, platform, and resources to help people grow personally, professionally, and creatively while building a legacy that extends far beyond music.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the biggest examples of resilience in my journey has been building my career and businesses through constant change, setbacks, and uncertainty. There were times when opportunities didn’t come as quickly as I expected, projects fell through, clients disappeared, and financial challenges forced me to make difficult decisions. Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve had moments where I questioned whether all the hard work would pay off.

What kept me going was my belief in the bigger vision. Instead of giving up when things got difficult, I continued investing in myself, learning new skills, building relationships, and finding new ways to serve people. I expanded beyond music production into engineering, artist development, education, nonprofit work, and real estate. Every challenge taught me something valuable and pushed me to become more adaptable.

One milestone that stands out is seeing records I’ve worked on gain significant recognition after years of dedication to my craft. Those moments didn’t happen overnight—they were the result of countless late nights, sacrifices, and years of staying committed when nobody was watching. The lesson I learned is that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles; it’s about continuing to move forward despite them. Resilience has been one of the most important factors in everything I’ve been able to accomplish.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I had to do everything myself in order for it to be done right.

Early in my career, I wore every hat possible. I was the producer, engineer, marketer, salesperson, administrator, and problem solver. I thought being a strong entrepreneur meant handling everything personally. While that mindset helped me develop a wide range of skills, it eventually became a limitation because the business could only grow as much as my personal time and energy allowed.

The turning point came when I realized that growth requires trust, delegation, and collaboration. I started bringing people into my businesses, mentoring interns, creating systems, and allowing others to contribute their strengths. I learned that leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself—it’s about building an environment where other people can succeed as well.

That shift changed how I approach business, community work, and even personal growth. Today, I understand that the strongest organizations are built by teams, not individuals. By letting go of the need to control every detail, I’ve been able to create greater opportunities for others while allowing my businesses and initiatives to grow beyond what I could accomplish alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thisisbiggz.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisbiggz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579449968511
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-booth-2776a6216/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisisBiggz
• Other: https://clevenharmonyfoundation.org