Meet Austin Reed

We had the good fortune of connecting with Austin Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Austin, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Up to this point, the most important factor in my success has been building and nurturing strong relationships. It’s about being able to read people, understand their intentions, and respond in ways that create genuine win-win outcomes. In business, we’re often taught that you need to be cutthroat to succeed. And while there are moments when tough decisions are necessary, I’ve found that leading with fairness, consideration, and integrity can open doors to opportunities that money simply can’t buy.

What should our readers know about your business?
Natural Authority was built on the belief that real success comes from building genuine relationships and fostering community. In an industry that can often feel transactional and cutthroat, we’ve chosen to focus on creating a space where collaboration, trust, and shared growth are at the center of everything we do.

What sets us apart is that we see our work as more than just business — we see it as a movement. We’re dedicated to developing artists not only professionally, but personally, and to building a network where everyone from talent to partners to supporters feels valued. For us, long-term success isn’t measured solely by numbers or charts, but by the strength of the community we create and the lasting impact we leave behind.

The journey to get here definitely wasn’t easy. Like any new business, we’ve faced plenty of challenges — from navigating the complexities of the music and entertainment world, to learning how to balance creative vision with business strategy. What’s helped us overcome every obstacle has been staying true to our core values: lead with integrity, build meaningful connections, and never lose sight of the bigger picture.

One of the most important lessons we’ve learned along the way is that relationships are everything. When you focus on people first, the business side tends to follow naturally.

What we want the world to know is this: we’re more than just a management company. We’re a community of creatives, visionaries, and leaders who believe in lifting each other up and creating opportunities for authentic growth. Our story is still being written, but the foundation will always be built on collaboration, purpose, and heart.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend was flying into L.A. for a week, I’d tell them to pack options, because this city can take you from a morning hike to a red carpet event real quick. Here’s how I’d show them the real L.A. — food, vibes, and a little chaos:

Day 1 — Welcome to L.A.
Straight from LAX to In-N-Out — because nothing says “you’ve arrived” like a Double-Double and animal-style fries. After that, we’re hitting Runyon Canyon to “earn” our meal and maybe spot a reality TV star mid-photoshoot. Wrap the night at Employees Only — strong drinks, good energy, and the kind of lighting that makes everyone look successful.

Day 2 — Studio Life & Real Valley Flavor
We’re stepping into the creative zone — a.k.a. sitting in the studio acting like we’re producing hits while mostly just vibing and eating snacks. Then we hit Sol y Luna in Tarzana for the best Mexican food in the Valley. Chips, margaritas, and enchiladas that will have my friend saying, “Wait… should I move here?”

Day 3 — Classic L.A. Meets Hidden Gems
Start the day with pancake madness at The Griddle Café, then cruise down Mulholland Drive with the windows down and a playlist that says, “we made it.” Stop by The Getty for some artsy photo ops, and wrap the night with dinner at Little Dom’s in Los Feliz. If we’ve still got energy, we’re sliding into Harvard & Stone — great live music, mysterious lighting, and very cool people pretending they’re not trying to be seen.

Day 4 — The Chill-But-Probably-Get-Sunburned Day
We’re keeping it coastal. Grab breakfast burritos from Teddy’s Red Tacos, then head up to El Matador Beach for cliffside views and “are we in a movie?” moments. Later, dinner at Sushi Katsu-ya in Studio City because it’s basically an L.A. sushi rite of passage. End the day on the Mama Shelter rooftop in Hollywood with drinks and weirdly deep convos under string lights.

Day 5 — Industry Shenanigans
This is when I’d show them the business side of the city. Quick flex stop at Capitol Records, maybe a hang at Soho House if I can finesse a plus-one, and dinner at Catch LA or Delilah, where you’re one table away from someone who was on Jimmy Fallon last week. This is the “network without calling it networking” day.

Day 6 — Indie Adventure & Late-Night Shenanigans
Coffee at Go Get Em Tiger in Los Feliz, then lose a few hours at Amoeba Music pretending we still buy physical albums. Lunch at All Time, where everyone looks like they’re in a band even if they’re not. That night, we hit Zebulon in Frogtown for live music — the type of spot where you end up dancing with a stranger who turns out to be your new favorite artist. End the night with a bacon-wrapped hot dog from outside The Short Stop because it’s tradition (and a survival tactic).

Day 7 — The “Let’s Move Here” Goodbye
Brunch at Republique — fancy but not too fancy, with food that makes you question your hometown’s entire restaurant scene. Then a lazy drive down PCH, windows down, music up, rethinking life choices and wondering how expensive rent really is in L.A.

L.A. is a weird and wonderful place. You can be at a beach, a studio session, a taco truck, and an art gallery all in the same day — and somehow it all makes sense. That’s what I love about it. It’s chaotic, inspiring, and full of opportunity… kind of like me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While there are many people who have positively contributed to my success, one person who truly stands out is my late friend Maurice John, also known as DJ Meez, who passed away in late 2023. He was a well-known DJ from the San Fernando Valley, celebrated for throwing some of the biggest house parties and events in the area.

In 2022, we co-founded an artist management company. It was a natural partnership — we brought different skill sets to the table but shared a clear and aligned vision for developing and managing artists. In the short time we worked together, I learned invaluable lessons about the business, about building meaningful relationships, and about stepping up to lead and make things happen.

I’ll always honor his impact on my journey, because he was one of the first people who truly believed in me. He gave me the confidence to take charge, trust my instincts, and embrace the role of a leader.

Instagram: @naturalauthoritymgmt