We recently connected with Ryan Hiller and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ryan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have been a full-time, professional musician since I was old enough to start working. I got my degree in music from the University of New Orleans and toured the country. When Hurricane Katrina hit, I relocated to San Diego. I established myself in the music community ever since… up until 2020 that is! I had been taking every penny I was making in the music business and dumping it into real estate. It dawned on me that I had to do something new, and Fast! I had a wife and 2 little girls to feed, and all of my gigs had been canceled. I’ve always been passionate about real estate, and was drawn to it because my music actually enhances the business.

Ryan, 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?

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

Covid taught me that no matter how much you think you can plan for something, the world will take you where it will. I had never in my life thought that I would do anything other than music. I had dedicated so much time and energy that it would have been such a waste to give it up. I had to unlearn that doing something else alongside a passion doesn’t mean you’re giving up that passion. In fact, I believe that it is healthy to have more of a balance, and it has improved my life dramatically. I have more energy, fun, and passion when I play music because I am not playing so much, and I am able to network with such a large amount of people through my music which benefits the real estate business.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Persistence! In the beginning, I would take every single opportunity that came my way. In the music business, this meant that I performed for free and at the most horrible venues imaginable. This led to referrals and more opportunities began to flood in. There was a time in my twenties when I was playing 8 gigs per week. Every Saturday, I would perform a brunch, happy hour, and late night gig. My fingers bled. I drank too much. I had a lot of fun… However, it wasn’t sustainable, and right about the time I thought I couldn’t take it any longer, I began to get more high-end corporate, private party work. I started a business, SoCal Wedding Music, and began to scale. I started to make what those 8 gigs paid each week in one gig. Once I began gaining traction with my own brand, Ryan Hiller Music and my wedding business, I started booking and helping fellow musicians. This has led to a solid flow of work, which has kept food on the table.

Within the real estate world, it was the same story. My wife and I bought a tiny duplex years ago. We lived in one side and did all of the dirty work ourselves. When friends were going on 5 star vacations and buying expensive toys, we were cleaning mold off of walls and busting out old concrete from a dilapidated patio. Fast forward, and our investments all cash flow to the point that we didn’t go under during the pandemic. It also allowed me to fund my new real estate venture which has since taken off. I’m so excited to help other people do the same thing!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ryanhillermusic.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ryanhillermusic
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ryanhillermusic
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandrealty/
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/ryanhillermusic
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/so-cal-wedding-music-san-diego
• Other: instagram.com/ryanhillerrealestate facebook.com/ryanhillerrealestate

Image Credits
Brad Golden, Brett Rose