At the 2025 U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 Awards, ASBN caught up with Jacob Light, owner of ModernTone Studios, whose passion for music has evolved into a thriving business and community hub. Light shares how his company’s mission to bring music to life continues to empower artists, students, and music lovers alike.
“Our admission is to bring music to life.”
ModernTone Studios, founded in 2017, operates as both a recording studio and a music academy. Its mission is to bring music to life for everyone, whether someone wants to learn an instrument, produce a record, or simply explore their creativity. The studio serves students from ages eight to 80 and employs a team of 12 professional musicians who both teach and produce music. The company’s growth has relied heavily on community reputation and word of mouth rather than social media, creating a loyal and diverse clientele.
Starting and running the business came with a steep learning curve. Light notes that creating a new space in the world, from building out the facility to managing payroll and finances, posed significant challenges for a lifelong musician. “QuickBooks wasn’t really in my vocabulary before starting a business,” he said. Yet he emphasizes that passion and surrounding yourself with the right team make the journey rewarding and exciting.
Looking ahead, Light envisions expanding ModernTone Studios on a larger scale, with more staff, bigger facilities, and the ability to reach even more music lovers. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: love what you do and invest in the right people, and growth will follow.
To learn more about ModernTone Studios, click here.
ASBN, from startup to success, we are your go-to resource for small business news, expert advice, information, and event coverage.
