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

Hi Matthew, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For the first 10 years of my professional career I worked for someone else. I was trading my freedom for security (or so I thought), but in 2008 when the economy crashed I had a rude awakening. Leaving your livelihood in the hands of someone else is only a facade of security. In actuality, my life, wealth, and happiness were most secure when I bet on myself. You of course have to follow up that bet with a borderline psychotic work ethic and a relentlessness that would never allow you to give up. But if that’s you, you’re meant to be a builder, not a worker. When I left that job in 2008, I vowed to never go back to trading time for money. The projects I take on have to be so fulfilling that if money weren’t a factor, I’d still be there creating anyways. Following my gut on what feels expansive and letting go of what feels draining, has allowed me to move into a space where everyday I’m grateful for the work I get to do. It feels more like a purpose than a job and that’s what I’ve always strived for.

What should our readers know about your business?
My primary focus is on my company BetaWave. We operate out of BetaWave Studios in Montrose, just north of Glendale. Our facility is a multi-unit compound containing a recording studio, live-streaming venue, art showroom and offices. On the media production side, we produce content for clients ranging from independent artists to major brands and fortune 500 companies. I think BetaWave has been successful because our team is mainly comprised of artists. Authenticity and tastefulness are important to us. The tiniest details matter. Nobody recognizes that more than artists. By employing artists, we’re also helping to equip them with access to gear, space and a range of skills that they can apply to their own endeavors. Since there’s no shortage of talent or music being created, BetaWave is also involved in music licensing. We have a non-exclusive music library in which artists from our community have pooled their songs for placement in TV / Film. Our latest placement was Torii Wolf in “The Chariot” staring John Malkovich. The journey hasn’t always been easy, but we practice and teach to stay true to the art and live as close to your means as humanly possible. Eventfully the work will speak for itself.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s a lot of deserts near Los Angeles. And in those deserts are caves and mines. I would take said friend at night time spelunking. Perhaps dig up a buried treasure and initiate them into the Neon Cave Pirates, a secret society of explorers and artists. But unfortunately the first rule of the Neon Cave Pirates, is that you don’t talk about the Neon Cave Pirates and I’ve already said too much.

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?
I would be nothing without the love and support of my incredible parents Susan and Joe Faulkner. My mother is a force to be reckoned with. If my mom wants something, she wont take no for an answer. I watched her rise through the corporate ranks into upper management despite the blatant sexism that existed in her job and industry. She’s fierce, humble and her work always spoke for itself. My father has a similar work ethic and I don’t know if I’ve ever met a more kind or patient person. Together they instilled in me a strong moral compass. From a young age, they’ve always supported and encouraged my creative / business endeavors and to this day I still consider them to be my closest confidants.

Website: www.betawave.tv

Instagram: betawave.tv

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themattyfaulk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/betawave_tv

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BetaWaveRecords

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/betawave-studios-montrose-5?osq=betawave

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/betawavetv

Image Credits
Christina Campagnola, Nikki Neumman

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