Now, Rewind Records is celebrating five years of?business.
In 2010, former IU student Aaron Chandler started Rewind Records, a music store offering demo recordings and lessons, and turned it into a profitable business. Yet, Chandler’s work in music began before Rewind.
Chandler’s love for music originated while still in high school.
“I had a friend there that played guitar ... my dad also played ... It really seemed like the thing to do,” ?Chandler said.
He got a guitar for his 14th birthday, he said.
“And I just taught myself,” he said. “And I played in bands all in high school.”
Chandler continued developing his love of music through teaching for several years and working at Smith-Holden Music Company, a local music store. When it closed, Chandler started his own studio named Chandler’s Music Education while still working a second job.
“I was managing a Circle K, and I kept doing that for like six months into the business just to provide extra money,” Chandler said. “We made a profit in the first month because I already had students ... Once I saw that it was working, I was able to quit.”
Eventually, Chandler’s Music Education was too small for those who wanted to teach there, so Chandler opened Rewind Records for more space.
Rewind Records is still operating today and hires full-time employees and interns.
“There’s several teachers here that have been able to go full time, and we’re looking for new teachers too, some music students,” Chandler said. “We also do an internship program.”
Rewind Record’s five-year anniversary party will be held March 28. All are welcome to attend what Chandler calls the “big birthday bash,” where there will be food, music and a new compilation record.
The party will also be a chance to say goodbye to Ben Fowler, a drum teacher who has been with Rewind from the beginning.
“When he started he only had three students ... and now he’s got over 30,” Chandler said. “He’s got a very successful music career, and he also was able to quit his serving job.”
Celebrations aside, running Rewind Records is not an easy feat, and Chandler tries to keep the job interesting.
Eli Sabbagh, a Rewind employee, said Chandler’s resourcefulness is partially responsible for Rewind’s ?success.
“In this area, businesses come and go quite a lot, and he’s been here for a while and he’s making profit,” he said.
