Episode 16 Beth Laird: CEO Creative Nation for Hit Songwriters, Producers, Artists

Not everyone in the music industry has known that’s where they wanted to be at an early age. In the case of Beth Laird, a forced internship with her childhood nanny, resulted in finding a life-long passion and drive for music and artists. Beth is the CEO and founder of Creative Nation Music and has been turning Nashville on its head for years.  Her perspective on mindset and courage is truly amazing. It was her courage to make shifts and try new things that pushed her to greater and greater heights in the music industry. That same courage helped her to step into her own publishing company when she realized that she was not meant to serve the masses.  The experiences she gained while working with country music legends helped her to start and grow her own publishing company. She now focuses more energy on fewer people and is dedicated to helping them build the life and careers that they love.  Creative Nation has had 17 #1 hit songs (so far!) and has had songs recorded by top artists such as Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, John Legend, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, and many others. Creative Nation’s roster includes Lori McKenna, Alec Bailey, Barry Dean, Bear Rinehart, Luke Laird, Casey Brown, Jonathan Hutcherson, Kassi Ashton, Steve Moakler, Travis Wood, and Tyler Johnson.  She credits her faith and her ongoing relationship with her therapist for helping her to put into place a super positive workplace culture. Her staff, and the artists and writers that she works with, are all like family and they have very specific guidelines for anyone new coming into their sphere. Listen as she shares her story in the music industry. Everything that she has been through, all the good and the bad, have led her to an amazing place and she is so excited to share her dream with her family.  We even touch on women in the music industry and her thoughts and the disparity in success between genders. While she thinks we can do better, she also has a powerful way of dealing with that disparity. Listen in to learn more. Show Highlights:   [01:37] Beth has had an amazing run in Music City. Listen as she shares her “big” break. [03:19] Did she have an interest in the music industry when she started interning?  [05:32] Listen as Beth shares why being open to opportunity is so important in life.  [08:34] Even though she was scared to make career moves, she did them anyway.  [11:07] It’s so important to take calculated risks rather than simply leaping into decisions.  [12:13] Why therapy has made all the difference in her life and business.  [14:01] What happened after college?  [17:43] Beth shares the story of how she and her husband Luke met.  [18:28] What is a song plugger?  [20:32] Why her experience at BMI was transformative.  [23:08] Learn why the job became too much and she started to burn out.  [25:43] Beth and co-owner Luke used their own money to bankroll Creative Nation. Learn why. [29:09] Her boss at BMI was one of her biggest supporters in building Creative Nation.  [31:09] Why it was so important for them to have a 5-year business plan. [33:30] Moving from years 1-5 to years 5-10 is really like doubling down.  [34:59] How did they sign Lori McKenna?  [38:14] Why doing it all for a small set of people really fits Beth’s personality.  [40:05] What are they looking for when they sign new artists and writers.  [43:34] Are things different for staff writers versus independent writers?  [46:40] Is it harder for songwriters to earn now?  [48:33] Do women still struggle to have equal success in the country music industry?  [54:40] What advice would Beth give to an aspiring publishing company owner?  [56:27] Beth shares her advice for aspiring staff writers.    LINKS & RESOURCES   Beth Laird: Creative Nation Music@creativenationmusic on Instagram@bethmasonlaird on Instagram   Follow The Music Makers:  The Music Makers on Instagram   The Music Makers podcast theme song was written and produced by Andy Kushner with help from the rhythm section and horn players of the band, SoundConnection: Elliot Jefferson, Lamonte Silver, Keith Hammond, Roy Lambert, Joe Herrera, and Craig Alston.   Sponsor: Kushner Entertainment    Check out Andy's Other Podcast: The Wedding Biz