The nitty-gritty. first steps.

Hey there, fellow composers! I want to share my personal journey with you—a journey that took me from composing music for film, TV, and games to starting my own sample library company, Triumph Audio. Through this blog post & future ones, I hope to pass on some valuable lessons I've learned along the way. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let's dive into my story and the insights that can help you on your own entrepreneurial path.

The Nitty-Gritty: First Steps

First Big Step: Establishing a Weekly Meeting

It may sound funny but this first step was what got me to really finally make Triumph Audio a reality.  At the point of this decision I had been making samples and sounds for many years but it wasn’t until I decide to jump into the new company officially that I came upon the realization of accountability. One of the initial steps I took when starting Triumph Audio was setting up a weekly meeting. It became the heart of our operations—a dedicated time for brainstorming, discussing ideas, and aligning our visions. This regular gathering allowed us to communicate effectively, ensure everyone was on the same page, and foster a collaborative environment where ideas could flourish.

Launch Date Goal: Giving Purpose to My Dream

Setting a specific launch date goal was a game-changer for me. It gave me something tangible to work towards and served as a constant reminder of my commitment to turning my dream into a reality. Having a clear destination in mind provided me with focus, motivation, and a sense of urgency to push forward and make things happen.

Shorter Goals: Celebrating Milestones

While the launch date goal was important, I also found it essential to set shorter-term goals on a weekly and monthly basis. Breaking down my larger objectives into manageable chunks allowed me to measure my progress effectively and celebrate milestones along the way. It helped me maintain momentum and fueled my determination to keep pushing forward.  Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly goals are valuable.  Pick a day or two each week to plan your attack!

The Importance of Planning: My Compass to Success

Without a well-thought-out plan, my dream of running a music sample library company would have been a mere wish. I realized early on that planning was crucial. So, I mapped out my goals, created actionable steps, and set concrete dates to achieve them. This strategic planning became my compass, guiding me through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and ensuring I stayed on track.  Within this we also must give ourselves grace and the ability to pivot as needed.  We are currently working on our third library and have had to change our date a few times because the library itself keeps growing and evolving.

Simple but Hard: Embracing the Journey

In life, we often tend to complicate things that are inherently simple. Starting Triumph Audio was no exception. I had to remind myself that most challenges have straightforward solutions. By embracing the simplicity of each task and approaching them with determination and a positive mindset, I was able to navigate through the complexities of running a business. Many of the hardest things we do start with our mindset.  We need to trust ourselves more by starting things that we so often procrastinate.  How many times have we put off a task only to find out that it was easy once we finally just did it!  Simple but hard!

Working with Others: Accountability and Growth

Collaboration has been a game-changer for me. Partnering with fellow composers, industry professionals, and advisors has brought immense value to my journey. Working together not only fosters accountability but also opens doors to new opportunities and enhances our collective growth. Through collaboration, I have gained invaluable insights, feedback, and support that have helped shape Triumph Audio's success. Reaching out to people for their opinions and expertise is valuable.

Tools that Empower: Streamlining Operations

The internet offers a wealth of incredible tools that have significantly boosted my productivity and efficiency. I found using tools like Google Docs, Dropbox, Square Space, and Slack to be invaluable in managing communication, organizing files, and streamlining website management. Embracing these tools freed up my time to focus on what I love most—composing music and creating cool sample libraries. AI tools are also another avenue. We have used Chat GPT for social media posts and quick ways to take large amounts of text and parse it out into smaller chunks. In a future blog post I may delve deeper into how we have used AI to solve some or our business needs.

Learning from Others: Seeking Guidance and Expanding Horizons

Throughout my journey, I have sought advice from people I know and respect—friends, industry professionals, and mentors. Their wisdom and experiences have been instrumental in shaping my entrepreneurial mindset. I discovered that reaching out and asking for guidance is a powerful way to broaden my horizons and learn from those who have walked the path before me. Be bold - remember the worst that can happen is a “no” or no response.

Keep Moving Forward: Persistence, Balance, and Fun

Persistence is the key to success in entrepreneurship. There were times when obstacles seemed insurmountable, but I refused to give up. I've also learned the importance of maintaining balance by taking care of my physical and mental well-being. Taking breaks, going for walks, and engaging in enjoyable activities have allowed me to recharge and keep a fresh perspective. Remember, this journey is meant to be fun, so embrace the challenges and find joy in the process! I truly believe that when we give our sub-conscious time to process things that ideas and solutions will come to us. Try shutting off that phone, radio, podcast and live in silence as you go on that walk, take that shower, or drive that drive. I have had some of my best ideas come while in the shower and on walks.

Conclusion:

So, my fellow composers turned entrepreneurs, that's a piece of my story—the story of Triumph Audio thus far. I've shared a few of my experiences, the lessons I've learned, and the insights that have guided me along the way. As you embark on your own entrepreneurial path, remember to trust your instincts, follow your passion, and remain open to learning from others. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and never forget to enjoy the ride. Your journey to success starts now—let's make beautiful music together!

More of my musings coming soon as well as more insights and observations of starting Triumph Audio!  Thanks for reading and please reach out to say hello!

Best,

Kevin Manthei