Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jermaine Clarkson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jermaine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first real client didn’t come from family, friends, or a referral chain. It came from me.

Before I ever charged anyone, I made myself the test run. I was rebuilding my credit because I wanted real options—better approvals, business funding, and the freedom to move without getting blocked by my past. I treated it like a business project: I studied, got organized, tracked everything, and stayed consistent until I started seeing results.

At the same time, I was also my first artist.

I wasn’t just talking about running a label—I was living it. I was the CEO behind the strategy and the artist putting the music out. That taught me something early: you can’t sell a vision you’re not willing to prove. So I proved it. With my credit. With my releases. With my consistency.

Once results started showing up, I didn’t even have to advertise. People noticed the way I moved—more focused, more confident, more intentional. Someone asked what changed, and I kept it simple: “I got serious about fixing my credit.” They thought it was just talk, so I showed them the process and the progress.

That turned into a conversation, then a consultation, then a payment.

That first dollar felt different. Not because it was huge, but because it validated everything: my system worked, my discipline mattered, and my brand could create real value. I didn’t just build a business—I built proof. And that’s what turned me from “learning” into “serving.”

Jermaine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m JLC 3K Official— a music artist, record label CEO, and a service-based entrepreneur. What ties everything I do together is simple: I build things that move people forward. Sometimes that’s a record, sometimes that’s a repaired home, and sometimes that’s repaired credit.

I got into all of this the same way: I started by fixing my own situation first. Early on, I kept running into people who made big promises, took advantage, and tried to keep me stagnant while they benefited from my work, my money, or my talent. After you get burned a few times, you either quit… or you get smarter. I chose smarter. I studied, asked questions, learned the fine print, and started applying what I learned to my own life. When I saw real results, that’s when I knew I could build something bigger than just “hustling” — I could build systems that actually help people win.

In music, I provide creative direction, artist development, and real-world label leadership — not just talk. I’ve been my own artist, so I understand both sides: the business and the emotion. I know what it’s like to create, market, invest, and still have to protect your rights. In my service businesses, I help people solve problems that affect their daily lives — home repairs that restore comfort and safety, and credit repair that helps people qualify for what they deserve instead of getting denied and discouraged.

What sets me apart is I don’t sell dreams — I sell process, proof, and accountability. I’m not here to “sound good.” I’m here to get results, and I’m transparent about what it takes. If something won’t work, I’ll tell you. If it will work, I’ll show you how and walk you through it.

What I’m most proud of is turning hard lessons into something useful. I took exploitation and disappointment and turned it into knowledge, structure, and a brand that stands on integrity. The main thing I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is this: I’m built on execution. Whether you’re an artist trying to grow, or someone trying to get their life back on track financially, I’m about progress that’s real — not hype that disappears after you pay.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I didn’t meet my business partner through some flashy networking event or a perfectly planned introduction. We met through the work.

We started collaborating on a few shows, and at first it was just that—two people working in the same space, handling business, getting things done. But I’ve learned that partnerships don’t really form from talk. They form from patterns. People watch how you move when it’s time to deliver, when things get stressful, when money and deadlines get involved.

From day one, I kept it straight with him. No exaggeration. No big promises I couldn’t guarantee. No “I’m about to do this and that” just to sound good. I showed up, did what I said I would do, and if something couldn’t happen, I said that too. I’ve seen too many people build relationships off hype, then disappear when it’s time to execute. I wasn’t going to be that guy.

Over time, he noticed the consistency. He noticed I wasn’t trying to use him, manipulate a situation, or sell a dream. I was focused on doing solid work and keeping the relationship clean. That kind of honesty stands out, especially in industries where people overpromise like it’s a sport.

Eventually the collaboration stopped feeling like “a few shows” and started feeling like a real team. The trust was already built—so working together more became the natural next step. Since then, we’ve kept it moving the same way: clear communication, real expectations, and results over hype.

That’s the foundation of our partnership. Not perfection—just respect, honesty, and consistency.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was this: **“Just keep grinding and trust the process… even when the process is clearly not working.”**

For a long time I followed advice from people who *sounded* experienced. They’d tell me what moves to make in music, business, and money—who to trust, what to pay for, what “you have to do” to get to the next level. I believed it because I was hungry, and I didn’t want to miss an opportunity.

But over time I started noticing a pattern: a lot of what I was being taught wasn’t just unprofitable… it was **designed to keep me dependent**. Stuff that wasted my time, kept me chasing their approval, or had me spending money on “services” that never produced results. Some people weren’t trying to help me grow—they were trying to keep me in a position where I was useful to *their* goals.

The backstory is I hit a point where I was working hard but staying in the same spot. Same problems, same promises, same “next month it’ll pop.” That’s when I stopped taking advice just because it came from someone louder or older. I started asking better questions: *Where’s the proof? What’s the return? What’s the actual plan? Who benefits if I follow this?*

Once I began tracking results and learning for myself, everything changed. I replaced “blind trust” with **verification**. I built systems. I started moving off receipts, not hype.

Now my rule is simple: **if it doesn’t produce progress, it doesn’t deserve my time.** And if someone’s advice keeps me stuck while they keep winning, that’s not guidance—that’s sabotage with a smile.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://allaroundaag.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlcaagrecords/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AAGRECORDS
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aagrecords/
• Twitter: https://x.com/jlc3kofficial?s=11
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jlcaag
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/jlc-287240639

Image Credits

E On Da Scene