On this episode of The Small Business Show, we feature Jacob Light, founder of ModernTone Studios. Light has created a hybrid music business in California’s East Bay, combining a professional recording studio with a comprehensive music academy for learning, creating, and producing music.
While the studio handles recording, production, and project management for singles, albums, podcasts, and audiobooks, the academy provides personalized instruction for musicians of all ages, serving hobbyists and aspiring professionals alike. This combination distinguishes ModernTone Studios from other Bay Area schools, which often cater exclusively to younger students or follow a conservatory-style approach.
As a professional musician since age 14, Light built the business gradually with support from family, savings, and some debt. He leveraged equipment and instruments accumulated over years of performing, along with insights from hundreds of studios worldwide.
“I believe if you set out to do something that you truly believe, and is a labor of love, and you’re all about giving people your best, then it’s very difficult to fail.”
Notably, the East Bay location allows ModernTone Studios to serve a suburban creative community while filling a gap for a full-service music facility outside central San Francisco.
Unlike traditional studios that book clients by the day, Light and his team design projects around each artist’s goals, pairing clients with producers and session musicians to achieve the intended sound. The academy, staffed by ten professional musicians, provides individualized instruction and mentoring, helping students develop professional-level skills while pursuing the music they love.
However, balancing creativity with business operations has been a key challenge. Light explains that surrounding himself with talented staff and empowering them to manage complementary areas of the business, as well as supporting staff, understanding clients’ needs, and maintaining clear boundaries are central to his approach.
Looking ahead, Light plans to expand facilities, grow staff, and develop artist programs focused on mentorship, music business education, and sustainable income for session musicians. His goal is to broaden ModernTone Studios’ impact, helping more musicians succeed while building a thriving creative community.
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