We recently connected with Roy Studmire and have shared our conversation below.

Roy , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Thank you for having me! The riskiest business decision of my life would have to be my decision to drop 95% of my clientele because I wanted to align with God’s will for my
life. Growing up my mother had a mantra “If it doesn’t give honor to God, it’s no good,” I
finally started to feel that holy tune when I started my studio in 2010.

This weird sense of spiritual discomfort started to creep in. I couldn’t fully identify the
feeling in 2010 so I kept it to myself and kept moving. By 2014 I said to myself,
“Something’s not adding up. If these clients are putting out these derogatory songs and
I’m orchestrating it, that means I’m a part of the problem.” The more I kept recording
them, the stronger this feeling grew and the more revelation I got about what I needed to
do. It took years to understand the purpose of this feeling but I eventually got there.

In 2020 everything changed. One sunday morning I was listening to a sermon from
Steven Furtick and he read a bible verse from John 15: 1 – 4 and it says “I am the true
vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3
You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also
remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can
you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”

That hit me HARD! In a moment of divine clarity, I called up every client that I felt didn’t
align with this new direction. Although I was nervous about their responses and how I
would pay bills, I had this overwhelming sense of peace about my decision. It felt like
THIS is where I’m supposed to be. I’d rather do it scared then to not do it at all. So I did
it. Surprisingly, all of the responses were understanding and compassionate about my
decision. My faith was never a secret. My clients knew I love God and I was active in the

church. I would pray with them before and after sessions so they weren’t surprised at all.
But I was lol.

So as time is progressing, I’m falling behind on bills at the studio and at home. Eviction
notices, overdue bills, shut off notices but I knew God had a plan. If he said it, it will
happen. Not on my time but in HIS time. In February of 2021 my landlord approached
me with this balance sheet and it says I owe $60k! WHOA! At this point I’m like “Listen I
will be able to pay this off really soon. Something is coming!” He had more faith in me
than I did. He allowed me to stay at the studio not knowing if what I said was going to
come to pass.

Days and weeks are flying by and I’m falling more and more behind. I’m praying asking
God “where’s the check that’s going to get me out of this debt father?!” I’m sitting here
thinking it’s going to come in the form of something monetary. But I wasn’t prepared for
this answer. I heard clear as day, “I’m not sending a check. I’m sending grace to wipe
your debt clean.” If God would have opened up a door for me to get a check to cover that
amount I owed, I would’ve been RIGHT BACK in debt because I wasn’t managing the
business correctly. There’s a lesson in everything.

I went to my landlord in July of 2021 and said, “hey I’m just going to leave the studio so
you can make money here.” He replayed, thank you and I’m not even going to pursue you
for the 60k that you owe. I just want to make money in this place.” THAT’S NOTHING
BUT GOD! Who do you know that will just take a 60k loss like it’s NOTHING?! GEEESH!

I moved out by September of 2021 and moved my equipment into the church I was
serving at in addition to working out of this studio rental place called The Record Co.
There’s a lot more to the story but for the sake of this question I’ll sum up what came
next.

I’m now a Professor at Berklee College of Music, I rebuilt my clientele (clean music only)
and now I charge a higher hourly rate. I created a program called TRIM (The Route Into
Music) and I’ve partnered up with the South Bay correctional facility here in Boston
where I’m impacting lives on a weekly basis. Not only has God restored what I sacrificed
for him, but he’s provided more than I thought I’d ever have. Moral of the story is, GOD
PROVIDES. There are going to be uncertainties in life but when we keep God at the
CENTER, no matter what happens, we can rest assured he will provide a way out. I’m
living proof.

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?

Wassup world! My name is Roy Studmire, professionally known as International Show. I’m a Man of God, Father, Professor, Producer, Artist, Musician…. just an overall creative.

Music has been a very instrumental part of my life. I started off playing drums in the
church which inspired me to audition for a school of music called Boston Arts Academy.
I got accepted and from there I was able to learn music theory along with other skills
that assisted with my development as a musician.

The blessing of Boston Arts Academy was unmatched because they were directly
connected with colleges that catered to our majors. Instrumental being mine, I was able
to use the facility at Berklee College of Music where I sharpened my production skills.
From there my mind exploded!

In 2004/2005 my mother got a divorce and moved out of Boston asking me if I wanted
to join her, which I opted out of because I wanted to stay in Boston to pursue my music
career. So I ended up staying with family and friends which ultimately ended in me being
homeless jumping from house to house going anywhere I could lay my head. I ended up

living in LA, ATL and Moscow (yes Russia lol) to pursue my music career. Each place
added a value and skill to my musical toolbelt. Getting different perspectives from these
places allowed me to look at music from a different perspective.

In 2010, I started a recording studio in Allston, MA out of a necessity of somewhere to
live. I lived in my studio for about 2 years. During the day, I would fold up my futon and
clients would come to get the services they needed. At the time it was either production,
recording, or both. At night I laid out my futon and it became my place of rest.

After business started building up I was able to afford to live in an apartment with
roommates. From there things just kept progressing. I moved to a bigger location from
2012 – 2018 in Quincy Center MA. That’s where I really started making a name for
myself working with some of the biggest artists in the music industry from production,
engineering to mixing and mastering. I felt like things were really making way.

In the summer of 2018, I changed locations again, upgrading to a huge storefront
location in Weymouth MA. In that space I built a barbershop, Video & photography
section and of course, a recording studio. Business was really good. I do wish I was able
to manage my finances better and create a plan that would set me up for success but
everything happens for a reason. This is where the story picks up in question #1 “What’s
the biggest risk you’ve taken?”

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Do your research on the market you’re in and compare prices and services. See where you can stand out and most importantly what value would you add if someone were to
come to you opposed to “Joe” 3 blocks away. There’s a ton of ways of building clientele.
I’d love to sit with anyone who is interested for a free consultation session. Let’s build.
My email should be at the end of this interview. Here’s a few gems:
1. Be authentic to who you are. Set your price and stand behind it.

2. DON’T STOP LEARNING. There’s never too much information you can learn. The
world is evolving everyday! Some information might not work for your method of
doing things, but there’s still a whole lot of information that can work.

3. Don’t let your clients treat you like a robot lol. You are still human and you’re not
at the mercy of their calls. What I mean is, when they book or schedule time with
you, be the best version of you. Be active. Be in the room and give them 110%!
BUT….. when their time is up and you’re on your time, LIVE YOUR LIFE. Set these
boundaries early so they know what to expect.
4. “Stand for something or fall for anything.”

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Do your research on the market you’re in and compare prices and services. See where you can stand out and most importantly what value would you add if someone were to
come to you opposed to “Joe” 3 blocks away. There’s a ton of ways of building clientele.
I’d love to sit with anyone who is interested for a free consultation session. Let’s build.
My email should be at the end of this interview. Here’s a few gems:
1. Be authentic to who you are. Set your price and stand behind it.

2. DON’T STOP LEARNING. There’s never too much information you can learn. The
world is evolving everyday! Some information might not work for your method of
doing things, but there’s still a whole lot of information that can work.

3. Don’t let your clients treat you like a robot lol. You are still human and you’re not
at the mercy of their calls. What I mean is, when they book or schedule time with
you, be the best version of you. Be active. Be in the room and give them 110%!
BUT….. when their time is up and you’re on your time, LIVE YOUR LIFE. Set these
boundaries early so they know what to expect.
4. “Stand for something or fall for anything.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Studmire.co
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Intlshow
• Other: [email protected]