Meet Brandon Crocker | Musician and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Crocker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ever since I was young, I was very independent in thought and action. I liked to do things my own way, from making my own breakfast when I was very young, to skipping class in Highschool to study at the library since I preferred my own method of learning.

My parents might suggest that I had issues with authority, but I would say that I felt pride in my autonomy and ability to do things well. And I was willing to take on the responsibilities that inevitably come with that mindset.

After years of horrendous service jobs throughout Highschool and college -enough that my brother and I could write a book about- it was ingrained into my subconscious, when I left college, that I would start my own business. And for that first year, I didn’t even know what that was going to be. I had graduated with a degree in photography and film, so I began taking odd contract jobs for companies shooting their products, dealing blackjack, and whatever else I could do to make a living. All I knew was that I did not want to work a “normal” job. But music was always in my blood ever since I began playing the cello in orchestra.

So, I worked and worked that first year, hoping to make at least $5o0 a month and eventually things took off. I still maintain both my photography business and music business, but music has skyrocketed to be my main job. Some people are afraid of going off on their own, not knowing where the money will come from, but for me, the fear of being stuck in a 9-5 job is what drove me. I would rather pursue what I love than feel secure financially; I think that is what separates entrepreneurs from others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of my ability to stay true to myself. My music is a representation of who I am, even when I perform cover songs. I have always avoided the route of trying to be everything to everyone. I know who I am, and I have created that niche for myself. I think that is one of the biggest pitfalls business make; they try to do be good at everything rather than narrowing down their focus to one thing. And that requires turning away clients that don’t fit that niche, and that can be hard at first.

I have had many challenges over the years, but honestly, if you have a passion and insatiable drive, your mind doesn’t really interpret those challenges as negative. They are just a part of the journey and that is part of the fun, finding challenges and overcoming them. Like the cliche says, do what you love and you won’t work a day in your life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It goes almost without saying that without my Mother’s sacrifice my life would be very different today. She afforded me all my opportunities in life, from traveling abroad, to paying for college.

I met my wife Kim right when I was first starting out and she gave me the encouragement and support I needed. We both formed our photography business together and she came out to every show that first year of my music career. I think my path would be very different without her.

Website: Www.brandoncrocker.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandoncrockermusic/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYlxKaD6cDown8U1TWCUFXg