“Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.” Les Brown
My name is Monica “MamaSoul” Williamson. MUSIC is my elixir and my MISSION is to connect performing artists to their dreams!
Music has always been a dominant force in my life and it has shown up in many ways: singing and dancing in elementary school recitals, playing the bass drum in my high school drum corps, serving as music director at the student run radio station in college, interning and working for major label record companies (Atlantic, East/West, Elektra records), coordinating a DJ/MC battle for one of the foremost music conferences (New Music Seminar), interning at a boutique music publishing house to having worked at a seminal Hip-Hop club of the mid-1990’s, the Muse.
Now, as “MamaSoul”, I serve as an indie music ambassador, co-producer/co-host of Musical Pathways Internet Radio Show, and host of two monthly music showcases held in Harlem, “The Rendezvous” and “The Groove Line Music Series.” For all that Harlem has given to the world via music, words and dance, there is a lack of incubator space to serve as a vehicle to help performing artists birth, grow, and follow their dreams. I want to do my part to ensure the artistic future of creatives carrying on Harlem’s rich legacy by opening a facility to do just that.
I’m sure you are wondering, what is the name of your business venture MamaSoul? I would love to reveal the name, however, at this time the business name is still unregistered. On the other hand, I can share the vision. My vision is to develop a rehearsal space located in Central Harlem which will grow to include audio/video recording, and production facilities. Imagine an artist complex teeming with the radiant vibrant energy of musicians, singers, actors and dancers while providing practice space and eventually audio/video recording.
I envision a creative hub, a place performing artists are welcomed, wanted, respected, ready for them to enter the doors, drop their bags and sweat it out! My purpose is to be a conduit for performing artists to hone their craft. My goals are for this creative hub to become a destination, valued resource and trusted service provider for the multitude of artists who call New York City home in addition to furthering the rich legacy and cultural cache of Harlem.
I am seeking a loan in the amount of $10,000 to fund start-up costs related to shifting from idea to incubator phase. Incubator phase roll out includes: administrative costs (company set-up, business name registration, insurance), purchasing operational supplies (POS system, equipment), personnel (staffing for 11 months), and marketing/promotional materials (logo design, business cards, signage, direct mailing).
LOCATION:
$400 for incidentals
ADMINISTRATIVE:
business name registration-$250
bank account-$500
insurance-$1,000
POS system-$50
reservation system-$600
computers-$1,000
SERVICE:
staffing-$5,280 (3 days x 4 hr x $10: $120 a wk / $480 a mon. x 11 mon)
A/V gear-$500
PROMOTION:
business cards-$100
signage/banner-$100
flyer/postcards-$100
social media-$120
Thank you for your support fellow dreamers and visionaries! MamaSoul