HOME-BASED BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
By Ellen Jensen
Owner/President: Greg Conchola

City/State/ZIP: 40 North Broadview Ave., Kansas City, KS 66101
Phone: (913) 371-0286
E-mail:
Web Site: www.digitexstudio.com
Type of Business: Recording studio and audio/ video production
No. of Employees: One

When he opened his recording studio in 1999, Greg Conchola was able to make a living doing something he loved and still was available when his children came home from school.

“I also wanted to create and grow a business that I could pass down to my children so they would never have to punch a time clock for anyone else,” Conchola said.

His digital recording studio can record 24 tracks at once, and it has unlimited track-production capability. He can record anything from a solo act to a full jazz band.

Conchola not only specializes in audio recording but does video as well. Some of his customers include Promo Latino, Miller Lite, Ronald McDonald House, AMC Theaters and Chux Trux.

Digitex’s services include audio recording (in studio and on location), editing, mixing, mastering, video editing, video recording, production, radio and television commercials, Foley sound effect recording, and audio and video for the Web.

Conchola prepared to open his business by doing lots of reading and research. He studied audio and video recording methods, did some hands-on work and finally purchased equipment. He also did some work for free just to gain experience. Conchola said the toughest thing about the recording business is being able to compete with the larger studios that have million-dollar facilities, while he struggles with expenses such as the high cost of advertising.

Nonetheless, his home-based business gives him the ability to set his own hours, and he loves not having to drive during rush hour.

“This business is very enjoyable, so work is just like having a fun time,” Conchola said. “My children are grown now, and I’m teaching them how to run some of the equipment, so we make it a family affair.”

Networking is at the heart of his business, and Conchola finds networking opportunities everywhere—karaoke bars, live band venues, advertising agencies, radio stations, television stations, the Web, newspapers and magazines.

“Networking is the greatest thing since sliced bread,” he said. “You can get a lot out of networking with other small and home-based businesses. You can provide services and/or products to other small businesses in exchange for their products and/or services for a win-win situation. This frees up valuable and limited working capital and still gets everyone what they need to stay in business.”

Conchola also received help from some resource organizations. He attended a SCORE seminar, and he said the Small Business Administration was helpful in assisting him with writing a business plan, tax advice and bookkeeping. Conchola, in turn, has given advice to aspiring recording engineers about how they can get started without spending a million dollars in startup costs.

Conchola has lots of advice for those wanting to open a business.

“Realize that you don’t get something for nothing, and when you first start out, you will definitely get lots of nothing in return for many, many long hours of hard work,” Conchola said. “But if you really want to do it, you can.”

He said to make your initial limited resources work hard for you. Avoid temptations to splurge when you have made a little money, and put what money you make from your business back into the business.

“I was able to build what I have today from a small room and roughly $1,000 of my own money,” Conchola said. “My studio today has grown to 600 square feet and is worth approximately $75,000.”

Conchola said to stay away from the temptation of getting business loans if you can help it.

“If you don’t have to repay loans, it will be a great burden lifted from you, and you can concentrate more on growing the business instead of worrying how you will meet your loan payment date.”

Ellen Jensen is the managing editor of Kansas City Small Business Monthly magazine.