Help us start a Record Label at 17

Most 17-year-olds start summer jobs.

We're starting a record label.

I know, teenage “businesses” usually mean landscaping gigs, car washes, or maybe selling clothes and jewelry. Not us. We're building a record label from the ground up.

That comes with two big challenges:

1 – Record labels are incredibly expensive to start.

2 – Banks won’t lend money to 17-year-olds.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a dream. It’s our life.

I'm Nick. I’ve been in entertainment since I could walk.

Ages 5–10: Competitive dancer and YouTuber.

COVID years: Self-taught guitarist, drummer, and producer.

Post-COVID: Lead singer and guitarist for my indie rock band, Ivy League.

We started releasing music independently in our freshman year of high school. I was able to teach myself basic marketing, which has helped Ivy League receive Hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, and over a million views across social media platforms. Soon, the emails came flooding in: managers, labels, A&R reps, publishing companies. I dove into the business side to protect myself… and ended up falling in love with it.

I began networking and building friendships with people inside the music industry. I took everyone who responded to my messages on LinkedIn to lunch. I took calls with industry experts on vacation while my friends waited outside our Airbnb.

Eventually, my friend Joel (who I first met running a fantasy hockey team) wanted to help out and learn more about the music business. He’s been assisting with A&R, scouting talent, and creating content for TikTok and Instagram. His contributions have been a big help in bringing the vision to life. Due to the success of our social media platforms, we have caught the attention of many people in the music business who are willing to help us learn, grow, and take us under their wing. We are getting more knowledge than any college course could offer.

I'm Joel. I’m 17, and I recently started my own record label. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I picked up the guitar about 3–4 years ago, and since then, it’s been my way to express myself and connect with people. This past year, my Spotify Wrapped said I listened to over 274,000 minutes of music, just to show how important and meaningful it is to me.

Starting the label with my friend Nick was more than just an idea; it’s been a passion project that I’ve poured my time, energy, and heart into. I wanted to create a space where artists from different backgrounds and genres could share their sound and be heard. From late nights planning, to learning how to handle the business side, to just encouraging other musicians, I’ve been putting everything I can into making this dream real.

I know I’m young, but I really believe in the power of music to bring people together. With some support, I can keep growing this label, give artists a platform, and hopefully turn this passion into something that inspires others.

Long story short, we have a pretty good idea of how to run this successfully. More importantly, we've built strong connections with people who will help me. And even more importantly, we have incredibly talented friends the world NEEDS to hear — and we know exactly how to get them in front of you.

This isn’t just about us chasing a dream. It’s about giving a voice to young artists who deserve to be heard, and proving that passion and grit can beat age and inexperience. Every dollar you give us is fuel for real music, real talent, and a movement that starts with us but belongs to everyone who believes in what’s possible.

Help us take these artists to the top. Help us get some platinum plaques.

Starting a record label at 17 comes with real challenges, but they’re challenges we're prepared to face.

One of the biggest is the cost. Studio time, mixing, mastering, marketing, distribution, and legal fees add up quickly. We've worked hard to build relationships with engineers, producers, attorneys, and digital marketers who believe in our vision, which means we can keep expenses down without sacrificing quality.

The second challenge is competition. The music industry is crowded and getting noticed is not easy. Over the past few years, Nick has built strong, genuine connections with industry professionals who can help me and my artists reach the right audience.

Time management is another factor. Balancing school, performing with Nick's band, and running a label is demanding. However, Nick has been doing some version of this since his freshman year, managing rehearsals, deadlines, and releases while keeping everything on track.

Lastly, there is the financial risk. Music does not always bring immediate returns. That’s why our strategy includes streaming-focused releases, merchandise, and live events so the label has multiple revenue streams from the start.

While these challenges are real, we are very confident in our ability to navigate them. We have the experience, the network, and the determination to turn this from an idea into a lasting, successful label.