Interview with Sharlene Hartley with TYCP Music Magazine

What services or products does your organization offer?
TYCP is an online music magazine for teens. There are many features on the site##comma## including interviews##comma## reviews##comma## pictures##comma## fan interaction and much more. Though we##aps##re located in NJ##comma## some of the staff live in different States or countries.

What type of business or organization do you operate?
We##aps##re an S Corporation##comma## because we will be selling merchandise and making money in the near future.

How many employees do you currently have?
20##comma## including three correspondents

How did you originally discover the idea for your organization?
The business model was thought of by myself. My Mother works in the music business [she##aps##s currently on a break right now]##comma## so I was always attending different star-related events. I would go up to the artists##comma## introduce myself and just start talking to them. This started when I was only 7-years old.

How did you originally fund your organization?
Personal funds.

Are you the founder of your organization?
Yes.

Do you believe there is any distinct culture within your organization? If so, please describe it.
Not really. Not that I know of.

What obstacles or challenges have you faced in your organization?
Expenses was one obstacle. Doing business these days definitely isn##aps##t cheap##comma## especially if you want it to be really successful. We##aps##ve been fortunate enough to overcome this by working hard together.

Did you accept any advice along the way? Do you believe new organizations should be open to such advice?
Advice is always good and it##aps##s important##comma## especially if you have no clue how to make your business successful. I##aps##ve been blessed to be around people like my Mother##comma## Aunt & Uncle. They##aps##ve all given me great advice about what I##aps##m doing.

Did you receive any help along the way from other businesses or organizations? If so, how and from whom?
Only one – Young And Successful [The Young Entrepreneurs Network]. Jennifer Kushell is just amazing.

What have been the keys to success in your business? What do you believe are the keys to success?
Time##comma## money & effort. I##aps##ve always worked hard for this and the hard work has been paying off.

What kind of relationship do you establish with your customers or clients?
We have many features on the site##comma## that other online music magazines don##aps##t have. My mind is like a machine. New ideas are always coming to me.

What types of marketing do you employ?
We haven##aps##t used any yet##comma## but we##aps##re getting there.

Do you employ any web or online marketing?
If it weren##aps##t for technology##comma## the magazine wouldn##aps##t be here. Not online anyway.

What role does trust play in business or in your organization?
Everyone makes mistakes. No one is perfect. I prefer not to list any of them.

Did you struggle with starting your own organization or venture? Why did you decide to begin on your own?
I actually wanted to be an actress. I love acting and have had roles both TV shows and movie. I##aps##ll eventually break into it##comma## but right now##comma## I##aps##m concentrating on the magazine.

What books or resources would you recommend for individuals starting off now?
##quote##The Young Entrepreneur##aps##s Edge##comma####quote## by Jennifer Kushell. Although I haven##aps##t read it myself [yet]##comma## I##aps##ve heard nothing##comma## but good things about it.

Do you notice any trends in the marketplace? If so, what are they?
Definitely money & people being layed off from their jobs##comma## due to September 11.

Do you believe networking and contacts are important? If so, how?
That is very important##comma## because it##aps##s really who you know in this business##comma## not what you know.

What do you think about contracts and other legal obligations? Are they important in your business?
I##aps##ve learned alot of things##comma## the main one being to never let anyone hold you back##comma## because you##aps##ll regret it in the end.

If there is one thing that would sum up your advice to new entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Honestly##comma## I think it depends. There are some people who get lucky & get where they want without a college degree. If you want to go even further##comma## than yes##comma## a degree would be needed.

What, if any, final advice do you have for new entrepreneurs?
Make sure you have alot of time to do this. This isn##aps##t something where you just wake up and it all happens for you. It requires alot of time and hard work. Take everything seriously – never joke around##comma## otherwise you won##aps##t get that far with it. Never steal from others or claim their ideas as your own. You can get into serious trouble for it##comma## especially if they##aps##re legally copyrighted or trademarked [like ours] or both. Watch out for who your friends are and watch your own back. You may come across certain people [depending on how your business takes off]##comma## who may only cling to you##comma## because they want something out of this##comma## usually ##aps##hook ups##aps## or money. Watch out for when you affiliate with other companies and people also. Some of them will want to do certain things with you##comma## but end up demolishing the whole plan##comma## which is not professional at all. Be real and don##aps##t be rude towards others. If this business is what you truly want to do##comma## then go for it. Never let anyone hold you back and tell you otherwise. However##comma## if you don##aps##t succeed in this business##comma## you are most likely cut out to do something else.