Musicians and Business Owners . . . how do YOU do it?

Jenn Cohen | July 1, 2013 | 0 Comments

by Tim Wenger

It is no secret that Colorado has an amazing music community. But what do all of these musicians do when they aren’t tearing up the stage with their sweet rocking skills? Well, as it turns out, some of them have pretty good business heads on their shoulders. Colorado Music Buzz caught up with a few such vendor-savvy people, and got the lowdown on how they got into running a business, and how it connects with their music .

Appaloosa Grill, at 535 16^th St., is run by the good fellas of the band Oakhurst.

CMB: Talk about why and how you got this business going.

AG: We were simply working jobs in the restaurant biz for the flexible schedule that made making music possible. Then through the network of great musicians, we developed as Oakhurst, and passion for the corner of 16th & Welton we manifested ownership of the Appaloosa. We will always be grateful to the Wynkoop Brewing Company for letting us build Appaloosa in our own image then selling it to us.

CMB: Does running the business ever interfere with band stuff?

AG: Food is a passion just like music for us. They go hand in hand for guys like us.

CMB: Got any awesome specials?

AG: We make EVERYTHING in house–dressings, ketchup, mustard, mayo, Bloody Mary Mix. We also source locally and provide our customers dishes lovingly prepared with organic produce and all natural proteins. Love is our specialty.

CMB: Does being a musician seem to help business? Or have any effect on it at all?

AG: We love food and we love music. For us the two have always had each other’s back so to speak. Seeing a place basically run from a musician’s mentality makes it interesting to customers. The juggling ain’t so bad when you love what you do.

CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background?

AG: All the partners have mixed backgrounds; college, life, fatherhood, tour management, bus repair, bar-tending, entertaining, song writing/story telling, passion, Norse parade kings, leadership, listening skills, are all built into our vision for Appaloosa and Oakhurst. What we have learned is that everyone can be reached through one of the senses and though we aim for the ears and tongue mostly the results that satisfy us are when people walk away wanting more.

Goombas Pizza Grinder, 10050 Ralston Road-D in Arvada, was opened recently by Yuli Papastergiou, former drummer of A Memory Down.

CMB: Talk about why and how you got this business going.

GPG: My dad had approached my brother Nico and myself back in November 2012 and told us that if we could find a place in a good location with reasonable monthly rent that we would be able to get funding from some of our family members in Greece. So my brother found a location the very next day and about a week later we were working on business licenses, menu concept and interior renovation etc. On April 1, 2013 Goombas Pizza Grinder had officially opened.

CMB: Does running a business ever interfere with band stuff?

GPG: No. The reason being is, in early November, I had parted ways with my former band, A Memory Down, due to the fact I wasn’t going to be able to tour extensively because of personal and financial situations. I took the split up pretty hard because I love nothing more in life than playing drums on stage. It is the ultimate feeling whether or not it is in front of the guys or in front of a thousand people. It is my drug of choice. I still talk with many of the guys in AMD and we are still brothers to this day. I will return to the stage again as soon as my business can function regularly without me being required to be there every day from open to close. Whether I return to A Memory Down or start a new band remains to be seen and it would have to be the right time and it would obviously be something that the guys and I collectively could agree on. In the mean time, I truly wish my boys all the success in the world because I know as good as anyone else that they deserve it, but I absolutely do plan to get back into the music scene within a year – more stronger, more focused and more fired up than ever! 🙂

CMB: Got any awesome specials?

GPG: We do various specials daily, whether it is 10% off, or five dollars off any order of 25 or more. We are a pizzeria but we run it like a quality restaurant as far as overall standards, expectations, food quality and service are concerned. We are barely two months old and already the buzz for Goombas is very strong and we also have a cult following too!

CMB: Does being a musician seem to help business, or have any affect on it at all?

GPG: It absolutely does! Being in AMD, it was and still is very much a business (A Memory Down is signed to Turkey Vulture records and are currently touring), and you begin to understand the nuts and bolts from a business aspect. I learned quite a bit from my days in the band and also projecting my musical skill-set into the restaurant business and vice versa. For example, in both band and restaurant, you have to be sound and precise with your timing and execution. Being quick also helps. Critical thinking, social skills are a must on each front – plus marketing and promotion plays a huge role in both sides of the spectrum.

CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background?

GPG: This is my first job as role of owner. I have been working in the restaurant business since I was fifteen years of age. That is 20 years of learning and growing and yes, suffering. But in this business, it takes tough skin and the ability to take criticism. The same holds true for performing in a band. Having an opportunity and chances to grow in both the music and culinary world have been an amazing ride, for both good and not so good. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Online: Facebook.com/GoombasPizzaGrinder

The multi-faceted Brandi Shigley

Brandi Shigley makes happy music. Her band B. Sue is the amalgamation of her dream to do what she loves. She is also one of Denver’s most versatile business owners. She has owned a diverse cornucopia of small companies, including a handbag design business, a marketing company, and a fashion development company. She does everything from PR to consulting, and even offers up her studio on Bannock Street for fashion shows and other events. “My career and what I do is who I am,” says Shigley. “I don’t, at five o’clock, turn into a pumpkin. The overall theme is ‘do what you love, love what you do.’ I help dreamers become doers. I also run a fashion company called Fashion Denver. We promote and bring together local designers and help them grow their businesses. I also have another company, b.23 Productions. This is more focused on any business. I do small business development and event production.”

“My first business I ever started, B. Shigley Designs, I was a handbag designer; then b.23 Productions, my marketing company, and B.Sue (my band). The B is always me. B.Sue in French means to kiss, but it’s also my name. I sing a few songs in French that I’ve written. With B.Sue, I write the music, play the keyboard, and sing. “I feel like live, we’re a little more rock and roll, but the happiness is consistent.”

Online: dowhatyoulove.us, bsuelovesyou.com

Large Marge’s Philly Cheesesteaks is owned and operated by Brett and Johnson of Denver punkers Synthetic Elements.

CMB: Talk about how and why you got business going.

LM: We practice in my (Johnson’s) basement and Large Marge’s is right down the street. Every Monday Brett and I would get together in the mornings and work on other projects we have going on. We would break for lunch at Large Marge’s before meeting up with Synthetic Elements to practice in the afternoons. Marge wanted to retire and was going to close the doors for good. We needed some cheesesteaks. She offered to sell it to us and we joked back and forth a few times until Brett and I seriously looked into the numbers and business of purchasing from her. We decided it would be a smart investment so here we are….

CMB: Does running the business ever interfere with band stuff?

LM: Running the business can interfere with band stuff sometimes yes. As with anything, schedules have to work out with one another. We all have our own things going on outside of Synthetic Elements so we make sure to try and have all the schedules not effect each other, however we all understand there are certain times of year that are busier or slower compared to other times, whether that is for family or business.

CMB: Got any awesome specials?

LM: MENTION THIS COLORADO MUSIC BUZZ ARTICLE AND RECEIVE A FREE FRY & DRINK COMBO!!

We offer a combo for touring bands, which entitles them to an Original Cheesesteak with a side of fries and a fountain drink for $5.

We are HUGE supporters of the men and women serving this country so we may live free and safe. Those people include all Military, Police, Fire Fighters, and EMTs. To thank them for their service, we offer discounts on their meals. If they bring us one of their unit patches to hang on our wall, we gladly give them their sandwich for free that day.

CMB: Does being musician help or have any effect on business?

LM: Being a musician hasn’t had much effect on business other then we have gained many life experiences through Synthetic Elements. Living in a van touring for 10+ years throughout America and Asia will teach you a lot of life lessons that aren’t taught in schools or college. There is a lot of good to speak for college, if that’s for you, as for us, we will take the life experience route traveling the world, meeting interesting people of different cultures, countries, and life experiences. BOOM SON!!

CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background?

LM: We both have worked in restaurants since the beginning of us working because it is the only industry that allowed us to come and go when we pleased, to leave on tour with Synthetic Elements. Through the different restaurants and jobs, we have gained management experience and decided that if we are working hard for someone else, why don’t we work hard for ourselves instead! DAMN THE MAN!!

We are learning every day as we go, are we ever done learning? I hope not.

Universal Music Company, 1200 E. 104th Ave. Thornton, CO, is owned by Gary Patterson.

CMB: Talk about how and why we got business going

UMC: Universal Music Company is a family-run business, & we first opened our doors in 1963 in the north Denver area. We haven’t always been at this 104th & Washington location, but here in this area. My dad, Jim, is a drummer, I am a drummer, & the family followed their passion & opened a music store.

CMB: Does running the business ever interfere with band stuff?

UMC: Running a business definitely takes up most of my time, but that is the benefit of owning your own music store. If I can’t meet with the band for a bit, I can at least practice my parts all day while helping customers & other day-to-day operations. We don’t tour or anything, so most of my time is spent here at Universal.

CMB: Got any awesome specials?

UMC: We always have specials!! We can do 50% off cymbals, Zildjian or Sabian. We are also having a blowout guitar sale, & we can do trades, rentals, or layaway. Here at Universal we will work with you because we want you to get what you need, & not be hindered because you can’t afford it. Just let us know how we can help.

CMB: Does being musician help or have any effect on business?

UMC: Being a musician helps very much. I can talk to the customer about drums & recommend them the right product or give them advice. And not just about drums, after being around music all my life, I can help with just about anything. Being a musician makes talking to the customer a lot easier because we both have something in common, we can relate in some way, they immediately know they can trust me to get them the right gear. Being a musician help us make contacts & network for Universal because Denver’s scene is filled with musicians that want to help one another & spread the word about us, without expecting something in return, which helps drive sales to the store. We really are Denver’s best kept secret in the music business world.

CMB: How did you learn to run a business? Any background?

UMC: My dad ran the business before me, so I learned along the way. You pick up tricks of the trade as you go. Owning your own business has its ups & downs, but that’s the beauty if it. To figure out different ways to market yourself to be able to stand the test of time like we have has been tough, but very rewarding at the same time. We do a lot with the youth & music, working with public schools & giving lessons on multiple instruments etc. so that makes it rewarding as well.

Are YOU a musician who owns a business? Hit us up at [email protected] and let us know how you keep the wheels turning.