We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Doug Gay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Doug below.

Alright, Doug thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

In my journey, mastering the craft of music wasn’t just about playing notes; it was about understanding the language of emotion and connection. Growing up, my exposure to diverse musical genres ignited a curiosity that drove me to explore deeper. Music and sports became my refuge during times of academic struggle, shaping my identity and igniting a passion for self-expression.

Leadership was another craft I had to learn. Earlier in my life, my struggles with low self-esteem were a big obstacle in my path toward a feeling of ownership in my natural leadership qualities. Over time, I realized that true leadership wasn’t merely about authority or specific knowledge, but about effective communication, accountability, and leading by example. Transitioning from a performer to a team leader in music and education taught me the importance of leveraging strengths and fostering collaboration.

Organizational skills became essential as I navigated my personal and business ventures. Learning to translate my thoughts into actionable plans was crucial for success. Understanding the nuances of finance and monetization proved pivotal in sustaining growth and stability, but specific knowledge was outsourced to trusted advisors and accountants. I need to note the value of joining local business incubation programs and taking advantage of resources from SBA when my budget was too small to hire experts. I still take advantage of these resources, having become friends with the many talented people in my community who provide mentorship at little to no cost.

Recognizing my strengths and weaknesses grew in importance as revenue allowed for the addition of new team members through skill alignment and delegation. Overcoming obstacles such as fear of failure and navigating the complexities of finance were challenges I had to confront. Building a team of experts alleviated a lot of fear affording me the confidence to forge ahead with more risk.

Despite the hurdles, continuous learning and nurturing meaningful relationships remained at the forefront of my journey. Embracing new challenges, partnering for innovation, and staying adaptable have been key to my personal and business growth.

I don’t look backwards at what I could have done to speed up my learning in the past, but I do remain aware of how my past experiences can be utilized to propel me forward faster with future opportunities.

Doug, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into the world of music education was sparked by my deep love for music and my involvement in school band programs, which ultimately led me to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. However, it was my experiences at Christian leadership camps over a decade that truly shaped my understanding of communication, conflict resolution, and the importance of empathy in leadership. As a band director, I realized my true passion lay in creating a space where young people felt valued and belonged. This realization planted the seeds for Baton Rouge Music Studios (BRMS). At BRMS, our mission is to cultivate a unique community centered around a person-first, student-centered approach to music education. We believe that each individual should have the freedom to explore music in a way that continually inspires and motivates them. What sets us apart is not just the services we offer—like one-on-one lessons, group classes, and a rock/pop band program—but how we approach them. We focus on providing experiences that go beyond traditional music education. For instance, our students write, record, and publish their own music, and our bands regularly perform at local venues, even securing paid gigs. We emphasize real-world experiences, such as our movie soundtrack camps and our podcast/radio show program in collaboration with WHYR 96.9. Additionally, our partnership with Be Positive 501 c3 allows us to engage in community-building initiatives, like organizing annual music, art, and food festivals. At the core of BRMS is our team’s commitment to our slogan, “More Than Music Lessons.” We carefully select team members who embody a “yes and” mentality, going beyond teaching music to inspire creativity and growth. While we’re fully capable of achieving perfect scores in competitions, our primary focus is on preparing our students for the real world. We want potential clients to know that at BRMS, we prioritize skills like goal-setting, accountability, teamwork, and holistic value over competition scores.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

To support artists and cultivate a thriving creative ecosystem, it’s crucial for society to shift its focus inward and recognize the abundance of talent within the community. Instead of believing that importing acts from elsewhere is necessary to attract audiences, there should be a focus on nurturing local artists and providing them with opportunities to showcase their skills. By investing in homegrown talent, not only does it strengthen the local arts scene, but it also fosters a sense of pride and belonging within the community. This approach creates a sustainable cycle where talent flourishes locally, enriching the cultural vibrancy of the city. Ultimately, by recognizing and supporting the existing potential within the community, society can create an environment where artists thrive, and the creative spirit flourishes. Often, civic leaders can favor convenience over diversity, repeatedly booking the same acts. This approach not only overlooks the wealth of talent but also breeds frustration among underrepresented artists. Embracing a more inclusive approach ensures all artists receive recognition and opportunities, enriching the cultural fabric of the community.
Our goal at Baton Rouge Music Studios is to usher in the next generation of musicians. We want them to stay in our city and see Baton Rouge as an important grounding anchor in their journey, always returning home from tours.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The entrepreneurial journey is like being a tracker in the wilderness. You’ve got to keep your eyes open and trust your gut instincts because you’ll almost never be able to actually see your target. Pivoting isn’t just an option; it’s necessary for survival. Time moves slowly enough that if you pay attention, you can see the signs pointing you towards success or warning you about upcoming challenges. Flexibility and directional navigation are key in entrepreneurship. If you’re too stuck on one idea, you might miss out on better opportunities. Read the signs, read the wind. Think of it like driving on a bumpy road – you’re going to hit some potholes, but if your vehicle is sturdy, you can fix it up and keep going, and you’ll learn to avoid many other potholes moving forward.
One big change we made was during the Covid-19 shutdown. Before, we only offered our services in person. But when everything went online, we quickly adapted. It turned out to be a great move. Offering online lessons not only helped us survive the tough times but also brought in extra money that we would’ve missed out on otherwise. This shows how entrepreneurs can roll with the punches and find new ways to succeed, even when things get tough.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brmusicstudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/br_musicstudios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/brmusicstudios
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/baton-rouge-music-studios
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brmusicstudios
• Other: www.youngbandnation.com (our trademarked band program’s website where we are working on promotional pages for each of our bands with the goal of teaching them to market and book themselves)

Image Credits
QuickFlip Media Samantha Morgan