Ep. 81 | From Hobby to Hustle: How a DIY Music Entrepreneur Built a Thriving Business

How do you turn a passion project into a thriving business? In this episode, Jason Taylor sits down with Benedikt Hain, founder of The Self-Recording Band and Outback Recordings, to discuss how he built an international online coaching business from his home studio. Benedikt shares his journey from being a DIY musician in Germany’s punk scene to becoming a music production coach and entrepreneur.

His story highlights key lessons for startup founders, including the power of community-driven business models, how to scale an online business, and why embracing coaching and mentorship can transform a side hustle into a sustainable venture. Whether you're a musician, tech entrepreneur, or creative founder, this episode is packed with insights on launching and growing a niche business in a competitive space.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

· From Freelancer to Founder – Benedikt Hain turned his DIY passion into a thriving global coaching business, proving that organic growth and community-driven models can scale.

· The Power of Community – The Self-Recording Band Syndicate became a global hub for musicians, showing how building a strong network enhances engagement and retention—a lesson startup founders can apply.

· Scaling an Online Business – Transitioning from one-on-one work to digital courses and memberships allowed Benedikt to scale without burning out, a strategy relevant to subscription-based startup models.

· The Role of Business Coaching – Working with a business coach transformed his strategy, showing founders why mentorship and external perspectives are crucial for scaling efficiently.

· Overcoming the Fear of Launching – Whether releasing music or launching a startup, perfectionism holds many back. Benedikt and Jason Taylor discuss how founders must push past fear and launch to grow.