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

Bryce, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

Overall I am happy as a business owner since I do what I love and can manage the way in which I do it. Of course there are times when the idea of having a regular job seems like it’d have some benefits…more consistent schedule, stable income, having a team or coworkers., etc. Working independently can be lonely at times especially when an infusion of energy from coworkers seems appealing. Having a schedule that keeps you busy when most others are ready to relax and has you relaxing when others are busy working can also be tough at times. But in the end, the perks of what I do and how I can do it far outweigh any cons.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

It was evident that I had a love for music when I was just a toddler. I enjoyed singing, dancing, and feeling the rhythm of any song. Music was always a part of our family celebrations, so my passion for it continued to grow. I picked up drumming, guitar—acoustic, electric, as I grew. I was a part of choir and jazz band in school, attended the School of Rock music school where I auditioned and got to tour the East Coast one summer playing at different venues. and eventually formed a band with some classmates and also started playing solo performances locally.

I paid close attention to how those who were successful in the music business did things. I went to many open mic nights, showed up to watch performers at various venues, and talked to everyone I met trying to gleen any helpful advice I could. When you’re young, it can be a challenge to overcome what might be assumed of someone without a lot of experience or years. I worked hard to improve my skills, gain credibility, and to prove I was serious about music. I think I was given opportunities because I showed up and put the work in.

I recorded and released albums of original work, I grew and hosted a long-running, successful community open mic night at a local restaurant, I played in professional cover bands, formed my own band, and branded myself as a one-man band playing for private parties, weddings, restaurants, bars and grills, and community events. I have fallen in love with just about every genre of music over the years, but I am currently working on a Christian hip-hop/rap album after being inspired by my work with music ministry at Freedom Church in Rogers, MN. I look forward to using my music for the lord in many new ways to help others!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Consistency is huge when it comes to reputation. Consistently showing up, consistently working hard, and consistently being the same person no matter where you are or who you’re talking to helped people learn and trust who I am. I think being consistent is key for just about anything in life. Even though I’ve shifted my focus or my interests multiple times, I remain consistent with my actions. It helps you reach your goals faster and there are no surprises for others in your market. This helps develop trust and shows you are reliable opening the door for networking referrals.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Playing music for others was definitely a side hustle at first. At the time, I was just a kid in school and it was a great way to make spending money. After I graduated, it developed into more of a business and consistent income for me. Planning and goal-setting were important for me when making that shift. I needed to know where I wanted to be so I could figure out how to get there in the most efficient manner. Once I knew my end goal and what it would take to reach it, I went to work filling my schedule to make sure I could make it happen. This required a lot of networking with colleagues, cold-calling venues, and basically putting myself out there for new opportunities. Sometimes I had to compromise small things to make a big gain. I made sure that I was flexible and continued to add to what I could offer. In the end, the side hustle I had originally started with became my full-time job.

Contact Info:

• Website: bryceheggemusic.com
• Instagram: bryce_hegge
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bryceheggereal/
• Youtube: Bryce Hegge