Starting a Record Label in 2026 - "The Imposter Syndrome" - Part 1

You should download my free TOOLKIT for new record labels... http://otherrecordlabels.com/toolkit

 

Thanks to LANDR for sponsoring this episode. landr.com/otherrecordlabels

 

Imposter syndrome is one of the biggest reasons people never start a record label. That quiet (or loud) voice asking: Who am I to do this? Why would anyone care about my taste, my curation, or my point of view?

In this episode, Scott breaks down why imposter syndrome never really goes away—even for Grammy-winning label owners—and why that’s actually good news. Instead of waiting to feel “qualified,” he reframes the conversation around what truly makes a record label valuable: your unique taste, your lived experience, and the specific combination of influences only you can bring to the table.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand why imposter syndrome is normal at every level of the music industry

• Identify the unique ingredients that make your label different (genre, geography, format, values, and that all-important X-factor)

• Stop comparing yourself to existing labels and start owning your own curation

If you’ve been stuck in analysis paralysis, feeling like an outsider, or waiting for permission to begin—this episode is your reminder that no one else can build the label you’re meant to create.

Because yes, we’re all imposters. And that’s exactly why your record label matters.