Self-Made Musician Mixing Art and Enterprise

This week, we welcome Richard – a multi-talented musician, producer and composer who’s turned his lifelong passion into a sustainable business. As someone who wears many hats in the creative industry, Richard’s story is one of resilience, self-belief and relentless creativity.

From a young age, Richard was immersed in music, singing in school choirs and picking up multiple instruments. That foundation quickly evolved into something more formal when he pursued a diploma in sound and audio engineering at Manchester’s FutureWorks. His talent didn’t go unnoticed – by the end of the course, he was fast-tracked into the final year of a music production degree.

“I was 19 and basically handed a music production degree. It was a whirlwind, but I knew this was what I wanted to do,” he explains.

That early leap into the world of professional music set the tone. From working with producers to having his demo vocals unexpectedly make the final cut on a signed track, Richard began building a name for himself in the electronic music scene.

Now, alongside his own solo music career, he co-runs a sample company with his collaborator David, releasing music packs through Splice, the world’s largest distributor of samples. “It’s a great way for other artists to find inspiration or spark something new in their tracks,” he says.

A career built on passion… and perseverance

Like many creatives, Richard has had to navigate the balance between artistry and entrepreneurship. “I’m very much the ideas guy,” he admits. “Whether it’s managing finances, networking or social media, it doesn’t come naturally.”

“The business side is still the hardest part”

What makes his journey even more remarkable is the physical challenge he has faced along the way. For much of his life, Richard suffered from glue ear, a condition that significantly affected his hearing. At one point, he underwent surgery that removed up to 60% of his eardrum – all while completing his diploma.

“Finishing my studies and building a career in sound, despite that, is something I’m massively proud of,” he says. “To come out the other end still doing what I love, it feels surreal.”

On the professional side, one moment stands out: a live show in London that brought together fans and collaborators from around the world. “I was supporting a headliner I’d worked with online for years. People flew in from across the globe. That feeling, being on stage, doing what I love – I’ll never forget it.”

Looking ahead: more music, more freedom

Right now, Richard is focused on carving out more time for his personal music projects. While the sample business has been a success, he sees it as a springboard to give him the freedom to push his own sound further.

“I’d love to scale the samples side so I can be less hands-on and use that time to focus on my own work,” he explains. “That’s where I really feel I’ve got more to say creatively.”

It’s a sentiment shared by many at Ministry of Work – the challenge of stepping back from day-to-day delivery to focus on the work that lights you up.

What Richard brings to the community

In a building full of innovators, Richard brings a distinctly creative energy. Whether it’s help with video editing, social media content or audio design, he’s open to supporting others with his production expertise. “I’ve worked with video as much as audio over the years,” he says. “If anyone needs hands-on support or a second opinion, I’m happy to jump in.”

What he’s looking for

On the flip side, Richard is keen to connect with more people who understand the business side of creativity.

“Whether it’s partnerships, events or just better operational structure – I’d love to learn from those who’ve nailed that side of things”

He’s also keen to build deeper links in Manchester’s creative and music scenes. “Just more opportunities to collaborate and share ideas would be amazing.”

Outside the studio

Outside of work, Richard is a big gamer and a lifelong fan of Nintendo. “Zelda is my favourite franchise of all time,” he says. He also enjoys getting outdoors, travelling and generally switching off from the screen when he can.

Final word: Done is better than perfect

When asked to share his best advice, Richard doesn’t hesitate: “Done is better than perfect. I’ve held myself back so many times trying to make things flawless. But if you don’t release something, your next thing can’t be better.”

It’s a reminder every creative can relate to.

You can follow Richard’s musical journey on Instagram at @imkeepsake, or catch him at the Ministry of Work.