“I promise to post blogs here, sharing some daily activities & the work I do to achieve my career goals, and especially, to give inspiration to all, whether you are – or are not – an artist yourself! And, when I do win that Grammy, YOU can say you followed me all the way! Enjoy, and SEIZE THE DAY!”

As you may know, I just got back from MUSIC CITY Nashville, TN on Friday!  It was a fantastic experience, my first time there, and I learned a lot about an important concept for musicians & artists: PATIENCE.

I met with the wonderful guys from Velocity123 Records, and we wrote some songs and had some great conversation about ABVC.  I have been on the phone with these guys for about 9 months, but never got a chance to get ABVC down to play some shows.  So, I decided it was about time I just went down there to meet these guys myself.  They were all for it, and we had a great week.

I know at this point, that I need to go visit them a lot more before any trigger is gonna be pulled.  We had some great conversations and talked about future plans, but until the time is right, or we write that big hit song, or the right opportunity comes along for the project & the relationship, ABVC is gonna keep doing its thing and show them that we got what they want.  Patience is a virtue, and it certainly is one of the most important things for artists to understand & embrace.

You know those big “overnight sensations” that seem to come out every year?  These bona fide artists (which excludes the manufactured bands, like the Spice Girls) have all been under the radar, in the trenches for years, before the big label pushed them with hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars… and then you first heard about them.  You know what they told Gwen Stefani when they first signed No Doubt?  “You’ll be a big star in 6 years.”  And guess what.  It took them 6 years WITH LABEL SUPPORT to break out with their first #1 mega-hit Don’t Speak, AFTER the initial 4 years the band was making music & actively playing shows.  That’s a total of 10 years, kids.  Also please note: this was BEFORE all the labels did away with developing artists, which they were able to do with No Doubt.  It’s even more of an uphill battle now, and requires even more patience, since us artists need to prove that we can sell thousands of records and get lots people to our shows in more than just our hometowns before attracting such a label deal.

Not too long ago, I was sharing a practice space with a new band around here, and these kids told me they were going to record a new CD and shop it to labels and get a deal and be big rock stars.  I wished them luck!  Pretty sure that band is not around anymore.  The Goo Goo Dolls had 9 years and 5 records under their belt before we all heard their first biggie Name from the A Boy Named Goo LP.  Soul Asylum was together for 11 years and had to put out 5 records before record #6 got them their big hit Runaway Train.  Please realize: that Nirvana is the exception to the rule.  They recorded Bleach for $600 and Sup Pop picked them up and  knew how to push this record and then Nevermind was on a major.  This happens to, my educated guess is, less than 1% of artists who get above the radar.  Most need to be in the trenches for quite some time.

Too many bands break up due to the stress of frustration, of not making money, not getting where they want in too short a time, they start to doubt the project, and the next thing you know, they’re gone.  It’s really sad.  I can’t tell you how many AMAZING “local band” CDs I own from all over the U.S., wishing these bands were still around.  But most of them put out 1, maybe 2 indie records, & that was it.  They gave up.

So, what do we do about it, fellow artists?  I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again: NEVER GIVE UP.  We just keep making great records and building our fanbases by playing shows and finding joy and happiness in that.  And things will keep rolling forward.  Do you know that there are artists out there grossing $40,000 in ticket sales per show that most of my friends have barely heard of, like Guster… have you heard of them?  Do you think they care?  They just keep doing what they do.  And they have figured out how to reach certain levels of success, while they keep moving forward.  This whole time, they have had PATIENCE (they’ve been around for 20+ years)!!!  They released their 6th record in 2010, which peaked at #22 on the Billboard 200.

I KNOW it can be INCREDIBLY frustrating – this thing called the music business.  But you need to find those areas where you have a little success, and build on THAT.  My band is doing well, but I play a LOT more solo/acoustic shows around the area.  There fore, I always sell more Kiwi Cafe (Annie B solo) CDs than ABVC’s Fancies of a Random Heart, or Let’s Do It (Live).  So, I continue to re-order more, (even though this is a 2010 release) because I know my fans want them.  I have success there, and I build on that.  Next time, when I see a person who bought The Kiwi Cafe from a previous show, I tell them that they should consider buying one of the CDs from my band & come out to see us!  And they often do!!

It’s all about just keeping on keeping on.  Keep on writing.  Keep on playing.  And keep remembering that Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Heather Acton is the webmaster of this website, and I started working with Heather about 3 years ago when I first decided I wanted to have a website for Annie B Music.  Heather started out building websites for friends & family mostly for fun, and then started working for strangers for  extra money… but again, mostly because she just loved it, and the little extra money coming in was nice.

Only a few short years later, she is the breadwinner in her home, supporting the family, while her husband’s role is Mr. Mom.  She has several folks working under her now, and has built up a business she calls Helio Intercative Inc., and she LOVES her work.  (Although she didn’t even know she loved it until she started doing it!)

She is an inspiration to us all… she decided to have some fun working on projects she enjoyed, and a few years later, she’s paying all the bills for the family with the business she has built!  Now, she may not yet be a millionaire at this moment, but she gets to wake up every day and knows that when she “goes to work,” she’s really not working at all.  She’s doing something she loves!  I bet she doesn’t look at the clock every day thinking, “Only 2 more hours until that break for lunch…”  She can take a break whenever she wants! (Well, almost… I mean, there are deadlines when you have clients to answer to!)  And all the while, she’s actually enjoying her work!

Heather is very blessed (as am I) to be able to make a living doing something she loves.  I asked her if it would be okay for me to send her some “interview” questions to help me share her story in this blog.  If YOU have the same goal (doing something you love for a living), I hope you find inspiration and motivation in Heather’s comments & her story to take the first few steps in making it happen!

> 1. When and how did you decide to start up your business? What were the catalysts/inspirations for you to GO FOR IT?
Heather:  It all actually happened by accident. I built a family website when I was off of work shortly after having my first child and found that I really enjoyed the process. Then, a couple family friends invited me to build their websites. It didn’t pay much at first but I didn’t care because I liked it so much and it was rewarding. From there, it was like a snowball effect. I kept getting referrals and kept building. 4 years later, I’m doing this full time while my husband is home with the kiddos!

> 2. What were the biggest challenges you faced in those early days?
Heather:  Finding the time to do it all. I was home with my 2 little kids for the first 3 years of doing this. I did a lot of the work on nights and weekends. Again, I enjoyed it so it wasn’t a chore, but sometimes deadlines on projects conflicted with family things going on, or a sick child would slow down progress on a project. But, most people were understanding of the fact that I was an at-home mom doing this, so most times it all worked out just fine.

> 3. What were some of the things you had working FOR you when you first started up?
Heather:  My dedication and willingness to learn, and the support of my family. This field was all new to me, so I had a huge learning curve when I started. From web development to running a business, it was all new. Luckily I enjoyed learning and wasn’t afraid to make some mistakes. And, I had a ton of help from my husband and extended family. My husband took on all of the duties at night and most on the weekends so that I could work, and my family was always there to watch the kids if I needed them. There’s no way I would have been able to build what I did if they didn’t support me in that way.

> 4. Did you feel like giving up? When? How did you deal with those times?
Heather:  Ha! Not until lately as things are more established and I have more on the line have I thought about giving up. It is scary being the sole provider for a family, and having a small business be what we depend on for our food, house, and other necessities. Income is always up and down, and the cost to run a business is exorbitant. It does get tempting to go out and get a “normal” job, but ultimately I love doing what I’m doing, and I really like my boss =)

> 5. What are some of the biggest challenges you face with sustaining your business today?
Heather:  Making money! I know this sounds so simple, but it’s the truth. I cannot believe how expensive it is to run a business, and how much is really working against small business owners. Insurance and taxes are a complete income-suck.

> 6. What are some of your biggest triumphs & things to celebrate?
Heather:  That I’m able to do this at all, and that we help so many businesses meet their goals. This isn’t my background and it’s truly the first time I’ve been successful (in my eyes) in my professional career. I know my company does great work for people, and we volunteer a ton of time too, and that all feels good. But, the best is when a company really meets an important goal due to things WE helped them with. Awesomeness.

> 7. What advice would you give someone thinking about starting up their own business in web development & design / social media / internet marketing?
Heather:  Be prepared to work harder than you’ve ever worked before. To really make a go at this and have a sustainable business, it takes a ton of time to build and run a business like this. Know that you’ll screw up lots of times, but make sure you learn from each of these mistakes. Move forward quickly.

> 8. Any final thoughts?
Heather:  The only additional thing I have to add is regarding the importance of doing what you love, and making sure you know what success means to you. To some it’s money, but that’s not everything. Know what really makes you click, and do all you can to be the best at it. You’ll be successful, no doubt!

Thanks, Heather!!!  Anyone who wants to contact Heather can find her on Facebook, Skype (heatheracton78), and GooglePlus!  Please give her a shout and let her know you read her interview!!

What am I gonna do about you

What am I gonna do if you don’t care

Why don’t you just go back to Jennifer

You know as well as I do she’ll be there

But we could change the world together

You and me

I know all the things they say about me

I know all the reasons why you’re scared

They know together we ain’t got lots of money

But they don’t know ‘bout the dreams we shared

Yeah, and I know how to stay above water

I know what it takes to be free

I have come very near death trying

Trying so hard to be the queen

But when I look at you I gotta say, “Hey boy,

Why don’t you come and run away with me?”

‘Cuz we could change the world together,

We could change the world together,

We could change the world together,

You and me

I just want to give you everything you’ve always wanted  (Oh, you and me)

What am I gonna do about you

What am I gonna do if you don’t care

Why don’t you just go back to Jennifer

You know as well as I do she’ll be there

But I know one or two things about Jennifer

Jennifer ain’t got no love to share

And I always knew Jennifer was jealous of me

But she got you, so she won fair and square

Yeah, but I know how to stay above water

I know what it takes to be free

I have come very near death trying

Trying so hard to be the queen

But when I look at you I gotta say, “Hey boy,

Why don’t you come and run away with me?”

‘Cuz we could change the world together,

Yeah, we coulda’ changed the world together,

We could change the world together,

You and me, yeah

Yeah, but I know how to stay above water

I know what it takes to be free

I have come very near death trying

Trying so hard to be the queen

But when I look at you I gotta say, “Hey boy,

Why don’t you come and run away with me?”

‘Cuz we could change the world together,

Yeah, we coulda’ changed the world together,

We could change the world together,

You and me, oh, Baby, you and me, yeah

We could change the world, we could change the world

You and me

You and, you and,

We could change the world together, change the world

We could change the world together

Or time has been amusing
Where do we go from here
Our time has been confusing
Where do we go from here
And all this time, you’ve been on my mind
All this time, I’ve been alone
And all last year, you came around me
And all I wanted was my head cleared

And I can’t stand when I get lonely
I can’t stand when I get home
And I have tried to do the right thing
So, where to we go from here

I want you bad enough
My pride I’ve swallowed down
Your kindness, such seduction
Your heart, too, has been alone
So we, we must try again
Will my heart crush us down?
These shadows haunt so abrasively
So, where do we go, where do we go, where do we go, yeah

And I can’t stand when I get lonely
I can’t stand when I get home
And I have tried to do the loving thing
So, where to we go from here

Where do we go, where do we go, where do we go, now

Where do we go from here

Where do we go, where do we go, where do we go, now

Where do we go from here
Last night you said you loved me
Yet, I still felt alone
My heart died sometime long ago
So, where do we go, where do we go, where do we go now

And I can’t stand when I get lonely
I can’t stand when I get home
And I have tried to do the right thing
Still, I can’t seem to let it go

And I want you so damn baldy

I can’t wait to see you home

And I love you, I love you madly

Still, where do we go, where do we go, where do we go now

Where do we go, where do we go, where do we go, now

Where do we go from here

Where do we go, where, where do we go now

Where do we go from here

Sometimes I wake up in the mornin’

And it’s just another mornin’

I can’t get outta’ bed

Then it’s noon and I’m stuck

And the TV’s on

Don’t even know what I’ve been watching

Then five o’clock rolls around

And by then, I’m so drunk

Maybe I called you and I don’t know it

And so, I say, I ask you

What do you do
What does it feel like

When nobody’s there to hear you

And you think you’re all alone

What do you do

When you’re there out on your own

And you’re just looking for the answers

Trying to find your way home

I hear your phone ring,

It’s your boyfriend

Your face glows alight

Aw, your voice softens up and you ask,

“Hey, what’s taking so long?”
Sweet like cotton candy

Then your eyes grow wide

And you hang up the phone

And so you ask me, yeah

What do you do
What does it feel like

When nobody’s there to hear you

And you think you’re all alone

What do you do

When you’re there out on your own

And you’re just looking for the answers

Trying to find your way home

Sometimes it feels we’re so divided

Haven’t talked to you for weeks

But it’s been like that since you moved to Tucson

You’re at work or something

I know you’ll call me back soon

But I’m flying out next week

Will I get so see you,

Will I get to see you?

I gotta see you

Gotta talk to you

What do you do
What does it feel like

When nobody’s there to hear you

And you think you’re all alone

What do you do

When you’re there out on your own

And you’re just looking for the answers

Trying to find your way home

These days, I’ve seen so many hearts broke

And I don’t want you breaking mine

Each day, my heart longs so just to know

The light I’ve seen clear in your eyes

And now I know just how you love me
And now I know just how you care

‘Cuz I can’t be a day without you

No, I, not even for a little while

My days, my nights, my every afternoon

My heart, I’ll follow it to you

I’ll follow my heart to you

My soul, it knows just how it must feel

And she won’t stop till she’s feeling fine

With you, I’ve found that feeling is real

Even though we might have jumped in blind

But we can’t keep going on like this

We gotta give it all we got or let it go

We gotta break down our walls to be free

If you really wanna be with me

You keep saying, you got something for me

Something you call love but confess

You’ve been messin’ where you shouldn’t have been messin’

And now someone else is getting all your best

These boots are made for walkin’

And that’s just what they’ll do

One of these days these boots

Are gonna walk all over you

Yeah, you keep lyin’ when you oughta be truthin’

And you keep losing when you oughta not bet

You keep samin’ when you oughta be changin’

Now, what’s right is right but you ain’t been right yet

These boots are made for walkin’

And that’s just what they’ll do

One of these days these boots

Are gonna walk all over you

You keep playin’ where you shouldn’t be playin’

And you keep thinkin’ that you’ll never get burnt

Ha! I’ve just found me a brand new box of matches, yeah

And what he knows you ain’t had time to learn

These boots are made for walkin’

And that’s just what they’ll do

One of these days these boots

Are gonna walk all over you

Are you ready, boots? Start walkin’!

I can see the sadness in your eyes

I can see the hatred in your eyes

We all know, but we don’t care

We believe we’ve been there

To see the shining light, the shining light

To see the shining light

I can see the world spinning ’round

I think it’s a drag ‘cuz you’re so down

Yeah, fears and doubt surround your crown

We all know but we don’t care

We believe we’ve been there

To see the shining light, the shining light

To see the shining light, the shining light

We create our miseries

But we must believe the things we see in the

Shining light

I can see the sadness in your eyes

Why don’t you ever tell me what’s going on

No, I don’t read minds, not even my own

Last night seemed like forever

The whole way home

Scars left on my bedpost

Scrape to my soul

I got a feeling something’s wrong

Yeah, I got a feeling

Oh, something’s wrong, you know I got a feeling now

Something’s wrong, you know I got a feeling now

Hold you close to my breast, heart beats faster

Is there something that you’d like to tell me

Gnawing at the pit of my stomach

Acid bath brain

I saw the strange look

On her face

I, I got a feeling something’s wrong

Yeah, I got a feeling

Oh, something’s wrong, you know I got a feeling now

Something’s wrong, you know I got a feeling now

Oh yeah, I, I’ve got a feeling something’s wrong

Yeah, I, I’ve got a feeling

Something’s so so so so so so so wrong,

I, I’ve got a feeling something’s wrong

I’ll love you in the mornin’

I’ll love you in the evenin’

I’ll love you in the afternoon, yeah

Baby, you got me screamin’

I’ll love you in the daytime

I’ll love you in the nighttime

I’ll love you every way I can

And if I can’t, I’ll set up a payment plan

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

I’ll give you up my house keys

I’ll give you up my car keys

I think you already got the key to my heart,

So, Baby, keep it, please

I’ll make you breakfast daily

And give you backrubs every night

And I promise that I’ll say I’m sorry first

If we ever have have a single fight

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

I told my mom about you

I think she wants to meet you

I can’t help but tell everyone,

I wanna tell ‘em all about you

I still recall that first kiss

Just like it was my own first kiss

And I hope that every single kiss

Is gonna be just like that first kiss

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

There’s something missing in my life when you ain’t in it

There’s something wrong when you ain’t there, if just for a minute.

Oh, for a minute

Just for a minute

For a minute