Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Javier (Javi) Prater, Owner of 13th Talent Agency, located in Dallas, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our clients are some of the best in television, music, podcasts, and public speaking. At the heart of 13th Talent Agency is a culture of entrepreneurship. We are a creative talent management agency. Our reach and service to our clients go far beyond the basic norms. What makes us different from others is the unwavering passion for entertainment for business and the arts. We help our clients move, entertain, inform, and inspire the world.
Tell us about yourself
After moving to Nashville, TN, in 2011 to study Audio Production & Engineering at the Art Institute of Tennessee, Nashville. I started my management career serving as the Executive Assistant to independent artist Kyla Jade you would have seen her on NBC's The Voice Season 14. All the while serving in the executive role. I was also Assistant Stage Manager for Dr. Bobby Jones Presents on the Impact Television Network. I served in both roles while still committed to my studies at the Art Institute. During my stint there, I also had the opportunity to work with some amazing artists, awarded media outlets, and participate in my first major tour. During that time is when I really started thinking and shifting my work from assisting to management. Doing so was I able to add to my versatility by placing myself in rooms and on stages as a Background vocalist and stagehand for award shows such as The Country Music Awards, Dove Awards, and Stellar Awards. after Graduating in 2015, Javi Artist Management was established. After creating my company, I was thankful to land my first client within the same year. Eight years later, Javi Artist Management became the 13th Talent Agency.
My motivation for loving and doing what I do is seeing my clients grow and expand in their careers and talents. Seeing them "become and be" is the greatest feeling.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When people ask me to share about "my accomplishments as a business owner," I surprise them with my response because it's not what they expect to hear. When accomplishments are usually measured by successful companies that a person starts, how many degrees you have attained, or the titles you hold at work, I don't consider my biggest accomplishment to be any of that—even though I helped catapult and add value to artist and talent careers during the life of my business. In the past 8 years since starting Javi Artist Management and now 13th Talent Agency. My biggest accomplishment is that I never had to search for a client. The best and ideal clients for me have always found and reached out to me to represent them and their careers. The favor of God shines through from every angle.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
That's a good question. As entrepreneurs and business owners, we spend a lot of time on our own and realize our goals lie far in the future. At least, I do from time to time. The combination of these two factors can increase feelings of self-doubt, leading to a loss of drive and inaction. It's then that I start questioning and wondering how could I ever have thought this idea of starting a business and or career through.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your customers, talent, and audience.
- Make the investment in yourself.
- Head over to moxienashville.com and take Vannesia Darby's 17-lesson program on Get Your Business Together. She offers great information.
Where can people find you and your business?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javiprater/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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