Meet Lunden De’Leon, Founder/CEO of Dirrty Records
“My dad was the lead singer in a gospel band,” says Dirrty Records Founder/Filmmaker Lunden De’Leon. “The first time I saw him on stage I knew I wanted to be a part of the music industry.”
Born in Barbados, while in high school, Lunden found a fry flipping job at Burger King and when the time was right, she hitched a ride to Hollywood with only $200 in her pocket.
“I was homeless for a short period of time in Los Angeles,” says Lunden. “I did not know what the future held but I was determined to turn my stumbling blocks into stepping stones.”
Lunden soon found a roommate that changed her life forever.
This is her story…
Tell us about your business: Dirrty Records is an independent music company specializing in punk rock genre.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place? Being an entrepreneur means freedom. Before starting my company, I worked for a public relations firm in Los Angeles. I was overworked, underpaid and barely able to pay bills. I always loved music and wanted to go into the industry so one day I decided to do something about my situation. I wrote a business plan, found private investors and started my own company.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why? Russell Simmons. Russell is a pioneer. He emerged from one of New York’s grimmest black neighborhoods to become a music mogul.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date? Being the first black woman to own a punk rock record label.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers? Use every stumbling block as a stepping stone.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years? I learned how to do everything myself. In the beginning, I could not afford a promotions department, publishing or marketing department so I took classes, read books and learned how to do it myself.
What do you do for fun/relaxation? I go shopping.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year? To start a film division in my company. Palmetto Film Studios.
How can our readers connect with you online? Visit us at www.DirrtyRecords.com or www.facebook.com/lundendeleon . You can also catch me in the GMC movie “Somebody’s Child” this August alongside Emmy Award winner Lynn Whitfield
