Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandro Mojica.
Hi Alejandro, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for as long as I can remember. My first hustle was mix CDs in middle school. I would get lists of songs and sell CDs to all the homies. I got started in recording and mixing back in 2010 when me and a group of my friends started actively making music. I got really into learning how to take my mixes to the next level so I spent 2010 through 2018 upgrading my setup and learning a ton on the way through trial and error, books, youtube, and a few informal mentors. At the same time, I started getting into photography and videography as a way to deliver for me and my close friends at economical prices since we were broke as a joke. As my skill got better, I started taking on more serious clients and working with them on the side. In 2020, I took a chance and opened myself up to more people by starting West Houston Studios. It’s still in the start-up phase so I do still have a 9-5, but I’m working on growing this baby until we can serve as a valuable resource and partner to all creatives, regardless of what kind of media they create.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but then again if it were easy, then everybody would do it so we just roll with the punches. I wouldn’t say anything specific has been a struggle, more so a lack of resources. As a Latino who is a first-generation college graduate, there aren’t many people I can turn to for advice when it comes to business or establishing a brand. Most of my family depends on the security of a 9-5 and wouldn’t imagine life any other way. Starting a business is just way too risky in their opinion so they choose to see everything I’m doing as a phase or a hobby that eats up more cash than it generates. Not only that, but they really couldn’t guide me when it comes to maneuvering financially. Fortunately, I wound up having an eight years career working in financial services so I learned all about budgeting, building credit, investing and planning in general, which also helped with my confidence in all the different ventures I’ve played with over the years.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The main bread and butter is vocal recording, mixing and mastering, but I also offer podcast recording/editing/mixing, photography, videography, artist/business consulting and basic financial literacy to anybody in the creative space. I would say I’m known as the person who wears all the hats necessary to help the artists I’m working with save as much as possible, considering that it’s tougher to make a living as an artist who is first establishing themselves. What sets me apart is that I’m not just an engineer or photographer or anything else. I’m a human being first and I take everything in consideration when trying to determine how I can help others grow and advance, regardless of how it’s going to benefit me. What I’m most proud of is the personal growth I’ve seen from a lot of my clients. Some have gone to start their own business and others continue to refine their skills and impress me every time we get to work. What I would like people to know about my brand offering is that at the end of the day, I’m a professional first. I will establish relationships with people and build upon them so that my clients are comfortable being vulnerable while they paint a record and as long as you come to me ready to work, I will work with your budget.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Don’t listen to a lot of what your friends and family say unless you’ve actually witnessed them doing what you’re trying to do. You should already know this but there is A TON of INFORMATION in the internet. You just have to know what your question is. Search, open 20 tabs at once and go down the rabbit hole until you’ve learned enough to be confident in starting whatever it is you want to do. Get the bare minimum equipment you need to get started, a simple pricing sheet together and you can figure the rest out as it comes.
Pricing:
- 2 hr – Rec, Mix and Master for $150
- 4 hrs – Rec, Mix and Master for $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.westhoustonstudios.com/booking
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westhoustudios
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WestHouStudios
Image Credits
Credits: Davo Tha CEO Marsha Spoken Too Playa Too Smoove Alejandro Mojica
