Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonny Mendez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up playing in local bands around Chicago and always thought I would “make it” as singer song writer. After moving to Seattle in 2012 for a change of pace my car was broken into and much of my music gear was stolen. I thought to myself “this is a sign that I should NEVER play music again.”
I put the music dreams aside and starting pursuing a career in design and art direction. After working for American Apparel on their Visual Merchandising team for a year I decided to move back to Chicago to pursue more opportunities in the design world. While back in Chicago a film maker friend reached out because he was in a pinch with a video project he had been working on and he needed a custom score for the piece. I told him “nah man I don’t do that anymore.” After several attempts at trying to pass the project off to other composers I decided to take it. I was excited about the project but I quickly realized I had absolutely no recording equipment anymore. Long story short I convinced a friend to let me use his studio for a few days while I scored the project. I’m pretty sure I made no money because all of it went to the studio.
The time I spent in that studio working on that last minute project reminded me of how much I loved creating music. I was hooked (again?) and began freelancing more with that same filmmaker. After a few more projects he offered me a job at his agency called OX Creative. I was to be their in-house Music Composer and Art Director. I learned a TON about my creative process and creating things for clients during my time there. Fast forward about 5 years and I have now worked at a few agencies and have kept a steady stream of freelance clients. I then decided in April of 2018 that it was time to go out on my own and pursue music full time as a freelancer.
Today you can find me writing music for advertising spots as well as a feature film called The Shade Shepherd that is set to release in early 2019.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The transition to freelance had its rough times. While I was working full time at a creative agency I was also trying to build my freelance clients. When I would book projects I would be so excited but I would find myself working super late hours because I would work an 8:30-5:00 job and then come home and write music all night. That was rough. But it paid off in the end because when I went freelance I had a steady stream of clients.
Please tell us about your business.
I write Custom Music For Your Stories. This typically breaks down into feature films, short narrative pieces, advertising spots, podcasts, ETC. I also have created a catalog of music that I sell to advertising agencies through SoStereo.com.
The thing that I would say sets me apart is my collaborative process. One phrase that I learned from my time working at OX is “Be Surprisingly Easy To Work With.” I really try to live this out in my business and create a smooth and exciting creative process for my clients.
What are some things you’ve learned along your way?
Things I’ve learned:
-To make things happen in your business you really have to hunt down opportunities and not be afraid to follow up 1,000 times. 99% of the time opportunities won’t fall into your lap.
-Ask really good questions when starting a project and make your clients feel like they are being taken care of.
-Your perspective is your greatest asset and the world doesn’t need another copycat. Be you.
-Gather tons and tons and tons of inspiration and have a place to store it. It could be your iPhone notes, Pinterest board, Spotify playlist, or a shoebox. When you are feeling drained creatively go to this gathered inspiration for direction.
-End your projects well. Your clients typically remember their last experience with you the strongest.
-You don’t have to have the most fancy/expensive gear in the industry to make a great product that people are willing to pay money for. Oh and you also don’t have to have a college degree.
Contact Info:
- Website: JonnyMendez.com
- Email: Jonny.e.mendez@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonnymendez__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonnyMendezMusic/
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