Lee Romano, Owner/Partner: Captain Music Enterprises, LLC
What led you to become an entrepreneur?
I began my career as a freelance trumpet player performing, touring and recording with the likes of Lionel Hampton, Natalie Cole, and many other great artists. One of my jobs was to play the Ringling Brothers circus when it came to the New Jersey area. One Sunday, I sat down to play and nothing came out of the trumpet. A week, two weeks and eventually months and years went by and I still couldn’t play. In 1998, I moved to Florida and worked as the general music teacher at Audubon Elementary School on Merritt Island. An associate suggested that I see a neurologist, who diagnosed my playing issue as a mini-stroke, which occurred years earlier. Looking for another professional musical outlet, and working in elementary music, I listened to some children’s music and thought, “I bet I could do that and do it better!” I bought a KORG N364 Music Workstation and four months later released my first of five children’s CDs, “Character Counts…So Do I!” That was in 1999 and the beginning of my entrepreneurial ventures.
What/who motivates you?
It’s pretty simple; I’m motivated by freedom. I wake up every morning knowing that I get to do what I love for a living and that great things can happen at any time.
What wisdom would you pass on to those getting started?
There’s only one person that can stand in the way of your success, and that’s you. Our country needs visionary entrepreneurs. But the insecure nature of starting your own business isn’t for everybody. Be sure that your passion is strong enough to carry you through the ups and downs of business.
Is there one mistake or decision that you’ve made that you wish you could do differently?
I was in my mid twenties when I was touring the world with Lionel Hampton’s Orchestra and playing trumpet with some of the greatest musicians in the world. If I could do it again, I would appreciate the experience more and be grateful for every second as if it would be gone someday… because it was.
