We recently connected with Brian “Essince” Collins and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Brian “Essince”, thanks for joining us today. Let’s go back in time a bit – can you share a story of a time when you learned an important lesson during your education?

I majored in Audio Production from Webster University in St. Louis, MO (class of 2009) and one of my favorite classes my senior year was called “The Evolution of Audio” taught by Professor Paul Stamler. This class was different in that we were not actually using equipment, studying electrical components, or sound theory. The purpose of this class was to learn and discuss the changes made in the audio business, from the creation of the phonograph to today’s technology, corporate takeovers, and the creators.

Paul said something in class that stuck with me and changed the way I view everything in business. There are inevitably companies that have products that are better all the way around, but for some reason the competitors do better (this is especially true in audio. Listening to low quality streaming in cheap earbuds doesn’t compare to listening to a CD in a car or a vinyl record with a studio speaker setup).

He said, “Convenience always trumps quality”. If something is easier for someone to use, there are many people who will choose that over what’s better (think fast food vs a healthy homecooked meal).

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started as an artist as a kid, both music and fine art. I picked up saxophone the same year I wrote my first rap (age 11). Music took me all over the world (literally) and I could always bring a decent crowd to see my shows locally. I went to college for Audio Engineering (Webster University, St. Louis) and senior year I founded Royal Heir Entertainment.

Initially, Royal Heir created EPKs (electronic press kits) which consisted of a 4-song demo I’d record and mix in the school studio, a bio, cover art, and headshots my roommate took. Pretty soon after I learned that people knew they needed them but didn’t know what to do with them. So, I slowly grew into marketing and promotions. Artists would ask me how I was able to do the things I did and the more who asked the more I saw a market for it.

Royal Heir Entertainment is now a full-service entertainment marketing and media company. We specialize in PR/Media campaigns, marketing services, music distribution, and have expended into sports marketing and film production.

We’ve booked tours all over the world from the US to Brazil to Europe, and Asia (China, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand) and love making a connection with like-minded people.

We have a background as artists so we understand their needs but also how things need to be presented to have the best results from the fans to increase revenue and sales.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I’ve funded Royal Heir Entertainment by myself thanks to a lifetime of part-time jobs. I served at a country club, I was a flex sales associate at Macy’s, I worked retail at Burlington Coat Factory, I washed dishes, I delivered newspapers, I worked 3rd shift in an ice manufacturing warehouse. I’ve done it all. I always set aside some of my paycheck to put into my company. I have supportive parents who saw my dreams but I funded company myself. Fortunately my overhead was low (website, software, etc) because I worked out of my house but it costs me a LOT of money to get where I am over the years and I’m glad I had to fund it the way that I did. Not going to pretend I didn’t go broke a bunch of times but I knew it was worth it.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My partner David Brooks and I were both adopted from Honduras to northeast Ohio. Our parents met each other through a group called Concern for Children who assisted in international adoptions. I was closer to his brother and sister (also Honduran) but we knew each other. When we were in our 20’s we reconnected at a summer camp for adopted Hispanic children where we both attended and became volunteers called “Mi Pueblo”. He was an accomplished photographer with a business mind and approached me to see how we can work together. The rest is history. We’ve co-promoted big arena shows, small events, traveled to be media guests at festivals and more. He’s expanded and created 36 North Consulting which helps Non-Profits grow and write grants.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.royalheirent.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/itsessince
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/itsessince
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/essince/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/essince
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/essince

Image Credits
Lashila Howell (Fly High Productions)