Memphis entrepreneur channels love of Memphis music into business
“This business happened to me rather accidentally,” said Cawein. “I was working for the Memphis Music Foundation when my position was eliminated as the organization restructured following funding cuts. I knew if I wanted to continue to work in the music industry and live in Memphis, I was going to have to make it up myself. So that’s what I did.”
Working for the Memphis Music Foundation allowed Cawein to discover the work that inspires her and she built the relationships required to start Signal Flow on a steady foundation. “My first office was upstairs at Young Avenue Sound, thanks to my relationship with former Memphis Music Foundation coworker, Cameron Mann. He worked out a deal for me to use the office space in exchange for social media and marketing help for the studio. It can’t be overstated how much having that office in a Midtown recording studio legitimized me from the jump.”
“I really loved being there, and the community was great. Again, I don’t think the value of a place and concept like Emerge can be understated for the Memphis entrepreneurial scene,” said Cawein.
In 2014, Signal Flow moved to their current location in a space in the historic South Main neighborhood where they are able to showcase musicians during the monthly Trolley Nights.
As for future expansion, Cawein doesn’t plan to expand beyond Signal Flow’s current capacity. “I”m interested in a different kind of growth. Right now I’m investing in opportunities to grow my skill set and my media connections as well as opportunities to travel for work. In five years I would like Signal Flow to be landing more and better media placements for clients, and to be sending more clients to the U.K. for tours and exchange opportunities.”
Cawein also loves watching her clients perform live. “I can sit back and just be in awe of their talent… watching audiences respond to them makes me feel incredibly lucky to be able to be a part of their world and support their art in some way.”
She believes that that the musical talent in Memphis remains solid. “We may not have the infrastructure of an industry town like Nashville, but we have talent in droves. There is something in the water here, and that sentiment brings artists here from all over the country every week to record in our world class studios, trying to get some of our cool by osmosis.”
As for advice for potential entrepreneurs, Cawein says you have to love what you do. “I think you have to be a little bit crazy to take this leap, but for me the net appeared and I cannot imagine my life without Signal Flow. I think ultimately you must love it, and the love needs to come from a deep well. Because you’re going to need to draw on it when things are tough. My well gets refilled at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame inductions, at client release shows, at conferences and festivals when I tell people I’m from Memphis and they are genuinely excited to meet me because Memphis is so undeniably the coolest place on earth. More practically, entrepreneurs should spend the money on a good CPA and a good attorney. It’s worth it.”
Author
Related Articles
Independent bookstores succeed by playing to their strengths
Despite the collapse of the big-box bookstore, local independent stores have successfully emphasized community, tactile experience, curation, and collaboration.
Downtown Utica’s Art Nook: “Super cool place making”
Art Nook connects folks to downtown businesses and showcases a colorful mural by artist Kevin Gano.
Meeting rural Michiganders’ mental health care needs
Michigan’s rural residents face different challenges when accessing mental health care than residents of urban areas. Transportation issues, loneliness, and limited group therapy options can compound their mental health needs. To address these challenges, community mental health (CMH) agencies like Sanilac County Community Mental Health innovate community-based solutions that meet their populations where they are at.
