We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful CHAR McAllister. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with CHAR below.
CHAR, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
How did you actually start – what was the process of going from idea to execution – walk us through some of the main steps that allowed you to launch your business? Tell it to us as a story – you had the idea, then what happened? What was the next day, hour, month or year like? What did you have to figure out, look into, setup, etc in order to move beyond the idea phase and actually launch?
Charmaine, singer, song, delight. The core meaning seems to have branded me, filling me with its very essence. A native of Jamaica, a quiet little girl found an escape from the traumatic world she was born into. When I was six, I sang my first solo at church before hundreds. After that performance I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My family migrated to America when I was ten years old and throughout the years my gift was nurtured and continued to develop in church and school. In high School my English teacher recognized my writing skills and encouraged me to enter a national poetry contest. My low self esteem inhibited my ability to believe but she insisted, and wouldn’t you know it, I WON! It was then I tapped into my song writing ability and wrote my first song at sixteen.
Music & arts has always been a balm to soothe the ache in my soul. In 1997, I was struggling with a bad bout of depression and supernaturally original songs were being downloaded in my spirit. They were coming so fast I had to carry around a notebook, pencil and a recorder with me every where I went. The melodies and lyrics erased the gloom as I sang the songs to myself everyday. Then I began to sing them to people who were hurting from life’s challenges and I saw the impact they had. Many were moved to tears and felt renewed hope. Again, miraculously the idea of recording an album, CHAR-Chosen to be Blessed, dropped in my spirit. I was often asked why I never signed with a label. My journey is unique and I knew that. I did not want to be owned and operated by a system but instead I desired to be apart of a partnership that would allow me to be myself and create the way I felt without the influence of the industry. That inspired me to start my own independent record label.
I thought of the business name and reached out to the SBA (Small Business Administration) and there I drafted a business plan, established an EIN number and set up a business bank account. My husband at the time was my business partner and our daughters, around six and eight years old, toured the country with us and we trained them to operate the merchandise table and sell product while their father and I were on stage performing. They were apart of the marketing team promoting the recording. JuDavida Music was being recognized by the industry. Promoters added us to the opening acts for major events where artists such as MC Hammer, CeCe Winans, Kirk Franklin and a host of national and international stars were headlining. I was even voted Pittsburgh’s 1999 Best Gospel Performer. Eventually, partnering with a fortune five hundred company that was executive producer of other recording projects and a Christmas special that aired on BET and the Inspiration Network.
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?
After my 23 year marriage ended we lost the company. Music would not let me go so I decided to continue my pursuit. I started CHAR McAllister LLC DBA CHAR Dreams Production/Publishing. Reestablishing my life as a newly single woman, I returned to school to pursue my music degree. I have since graduated with an Associate of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degree. While a full-time student I supplemented my income by performing with a Steely Dan, Elton John and Billy Joel tribute bands as well as gigging bands that were hired for corporate events and weddings. I always tell people I am not a “cover girl.” It was a means to a beginning. The experience exposed me to new genres and music I would probably never have listened to. I am now rebuilding my brand and in pursuit of writing, recording and performing my original music on stages all over the world.
My latest single “Closure” is different than most of the songs I have written. It was a story about the ending of my marriage. I needed to find a way to move on. The way this song developed was another miracle because it was written in less than thirty-minutes. The pianist and I met to collaborate and I had no lyrics or melody. I turned on the recorder on my cell phone and just started singing. A masterpiece! It showcases my growth, maturity and relatable. It was recently showcased in the Great American Songwriting Contest and placed in the top One Hundred out of 1900 writers from 42 countries. Speaks volumes. All my music is available on all digital outlets.
I have performed with many incredibly talented musicians and hire them to record in studio and live performances. My goal is to continue creating with a community of artists.
To learn more about me and my music visit www.chardreams.com
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
We were actually quite broke when I started the business. Because we did not have good credit we dared not pursue getting a loan. We started with our personal income to fund the studio sessions and paying the musicians. My ex-husbands brother invested in the manufacturing of the CDs/Cassettes. Local record shops added the merchandise to their inventory. We gained much exposure from newspaper write ups/ tv/radio airplay and interviews and our fan base grew in warp speed and the cds/cassettes were selling like hotcakes. I was invited by a manager to sing in a Super Walmart where we sold our product and donated a percentage of the sale to benefit the Childrens MIracle Network. We were awarded a start up loan from the SBA for office supplies and working capital. After signing a contract with the fortune five hundred company they invested in bigger projects such as the BET Special and new recordings. Silent donors have also invested in aiding us to continue the dream. Last year I have been working with SCORE and community banking to build credit for my business.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Technically, all I have been through was enough to keep me silent and bring everything to a screeching halt but I won’t quit! Giving up is not an option. I have no family support. My reality is, I am an orphan with big dreams. BUT there is a God who continues to provide for me and allows my path to cross with strangers during specific seasons of my life to walk along side me to support my dreams and assist in the completion of my goals. After JuDavida Music dissolved I did not have confidence I could start again by myself, but I somehow I found it. It has not been easy but I persevere. I am still writing and producing my songs the way I want to. I am performing exactly how I want to. This industry is dominated by the male species and some find it hard to hear my ideas and doubt I know what I want and what I am doing. But all that matters is that I KNOW that I know what I am doing. When I started CHAR McAllister LLC I did not have a penny to my name. Homeless and destitute I strategized my next steps, set goals, focus on the dream as the universe guides me.
My ultimate purpose is to encourage, inspire and empower those who have similar experiences. I recently started a talk show called “Adult Conversations with CHAR.” I’m building a community where adults can talk about real heartfelt conversations without judgement. Join the group on Facebook and IG. Also, watch the shows on YouTube.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chardreams.com
- Instagram: chardreamsmusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chardreams
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charmcallister
- Youtube: CHARDreams@chardreamsproductions
Image Credits
Maria Mola Photography