Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamika Johnson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Back in 2019, I started my own podcast, and over the years I have hosted several other video shows on different platforms. However, through those experiences, my biggest issues with recording both audio and video recordings were the quality of the sound from both myself and the guests, internet reliability, and unprofessional backgrounds. I also realized how difficult editing an audio or video recording was for the average person. Truth be told, if it weren’t for my partner and husband, Darryl, who had been recording and producing music for over 30 years, I would have never released a single podcast episode or recording because editing is a very technical skill that most people don’t possess.
Now, fast forward to the summer of 2023, when I was speaking with several entrepreneurs who were looking into hosting their own podcasts in a professional studio. It was at that point when a lightbulb turned on in my head. Darryl and I owned and managed an office suite which we leased out to various tenants. However, the upstairs portion of the unit was not being utilized and was being used as a junk room. When that light bulb turned on, I immediately asked Darryl if he would be interested in renovating the upstairs area of the office suite into a podcast studio. Almost immediately he said yes, and so our studio journey began.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to most new ventures or businesses is seldom easy, and ours was no exception. Unexpected remodeling setbacks were undoubtedly experienced during the cleaning, de-junking, carpet removal, installation of new flooring, painting, furnishings, and—above all—the acquisition of high-quality recording equipment. Yet. we managed to accomplish this ourselves while juggling our own careers and businesses along with our family and young children.
I had originally planned to open in the Fall, but I ended up with Covid and flu in September, which caused the studio renovations to be put on hold for the entire months of September and October. But if nothing else, I am a determined person, so I scheduled a tour and luncheon of the podcast studio for a select group of entrepreneurs for the middle of December, and that turned into our first official announcement of Total Play Podcasting Studio.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The goal of Total Play Studio is to give our clients a top-notch podcasting experience. With state-of-the-art audio recording and editing equipment, we provide a wide range of backgrounds and sets to guarantee superb sound quality for every episode. To suit their individual demands, clients can choose from a variety of professional recording equipment and high-quality microphones. We offer more than just the physical space. We have experienced sound engineers and videographers on hand to provide assistance and knowledge throughout the process.
We work to give our clients the tools and support they need to create excellent podcasts, whether that means helping with social media reels, post-production editing, or technical advice. We are more than just a studio – we are the creative collaborators who work with podcast hosts to realize their ideas with skill and expertise.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The number of podcasts created and listeners increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The majority of the output was aired live or recorded from our residences, yet many shows lacked the professionalism and financial means to invest in high-quality audio and video. That was the main lesson I learned from podcasting during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it also served as the main reason for setting up a professional podcast studio for use by entrepreneurs, professionals, speakers, coaches, authors, and creatives.
In addition to that, since fewer people are willing to drive or commute as much as they did before the Covid pandemic, our studio is ideally situated in Gwinnett County, away from the traffic and parking issues that come with having a location in downtown Atlanta.
Pricing:
- Studio Rental Rates starting at $75/hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://totalplaystudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalplaystudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalplaystudio
Image Credits
Que Vision Photography
