Achieve Your Dreams

who? Derrick Procell, Meredith Colby-Procell
what? Vocalist, Songwriter, Producer, Musician
where? Deerfield, IL
website? www.hearandnowmusic.com
QUOTE: "I helped someone achieve their dream, there isn't anything much cooler than that"


Q: How did you get into the business?

My wife. She was my inspiration and my motivation to get started. I was a successful live performer and had gotten some recording equipment for my own projects and ideas. My intention was to use the equipment for songwriting. As I learned the ins and outs of the studio equipment and software I started getting more and more into the creative end of music production.

I started out working with voice students that were sent to me through my wife. She worked with upcoming talent instructing vocal lessons. My first studio was "Home and Deranged Studio", I thought it had a funny twist, but as the business grew, it was brought to my attention that it may not be the most appropriate name, especially if I was looking to building relationships with clientele and working extra events such as karaoke parties.

Q: What is your ideal client?

Ideally I love to produce artist CDs, original music and to work with artists that are looking to put out a record, whether or not you are a songwriter. I enjoy the journey that comes from putting together an artists' CD and helping that artist grow and truly find who they are as a vocalist.

Although these are my ideal clients, whatever the project is, I will take it on if I foresee that it is going to be successful on the backend. Many artists are not sure who to talk with, and how or where to start. I can truly state that I have helped someone achieve their dream and there isn't anything much cooler than that.

Q: What are the challenges of owning your own business?

The most challenging is that when business slows down, times get tough, you feel the pressure to invest more because doing nothing isn't helping, keeping your name on the forefront is most important, even if you need to scale back in other areas.

Q: What is the best way in keeping your name in the forefront?

I am a huge networker, word of mouth is the best advertising and compliment that a business can have. You will build stronger relationships and have more of an impact from a walking testimonial. I also think that as long as you are a good person, do a good job and offer a good product, you will stand behind your name and clients will keep coming back and be more compelled in sharing their experiences with others. For example, you tend to read books, see movies, buy CDs that those around you are talking about. The more people talk, the more buzz that is created, the more product is sold.

Q: You have most recently updated your business image, why is that?

As for a new logo, I felt that as part of a campaign to update and redesign the Hear and Now Music website, that it would be good to come up with a business logo that can be used in a variety of ways. The ideal logo is something that incorporates an image that can stand alone with the business name, usually in a specific font. I've always thought that business that utilized stuff like that....eg. RCA Victor, McDonald's, GE, etc... really had it going on. You can see the RCA dog and Victrola and know what company it is without seeing the name. Golden arches? Micky Dee's!

I also love slogans that become part of the name. THE LITTLE STUDIO WITH THE BIG SOUND should almost be automatically attached to HEAR AND NOW MUSIC by the client... if we've done our job right.

I think it's very important for a business to have a consistent look. It helps the customer/client feel like they're dealing with something or someone that has put some thought into their business appearance. It helps tie things together by not throwing a lot of confusing images, fonts, logos, etc. out there. And while business trends come and go, and times may change, I think it's good for a business to stick with a consistent look and feel for a while before deciding to update.

Derrick is a most talented artist, producer and songwriter. I had the pleasure of meeting him for the first time a few weeks ago, even though he has been a client of mine for over a year. Listening to Derrick talk about his work was so interesting, you can tell he has much passion and loves what he does and who he works with.

Looking to record? Make a demo? Want to give a very special gift of an original song? Give Derrick a call today 847.236.9070.

www.tashaleedesign.com