At a time when unemployment among college graduates is extremely common, it's refreshing to hear an alumnae's success story.
Margarita Morales graduated from Seton Hall in 2009 with a major in Public Relations and Journalism. She created her own freelance music blog in 2008, and expanded it into a record label by 2011.
In October 2011, Starbeat Music signed its first band, "Those Mockingbirds," and signed another three bands in the next few months.
According to Morales, she credits her time at Seton Hall for preparing her for the real world.
"I learned a lot of communication and writing skills," Morales said. "Seton Hall helped me through my education and also my extracurricular activities. I worked at the radio station as Promotions Director for a year. It taught me a lot in terms of marketing and promoting."
Starbeat Music has already released four records this year. Their next record, "Work," by Bern & the Brights, will be available on October 2, Morales said.
According to Morales, the label has received so many interested artists and bands that they have had to decline prospective clients.
While Morales said the company is doing well now, it was not always the case.
"Honestly, when I was first starting it, I was really stressed and I was going to back out," Morales said.
According to Morales, she funded her label with her own savings that she compiled from simultaneously working three jobs in the food services industry. Morales also invested that money into developing her label with her business partner, 23-year-old Jeff Lambert.
When the times got tough, Morales and Lambert stayed motivated by their love for music, Morales said.
"Even with the highs and lows, we were both passionate about music and invested in the music," Morales said.
As a former Pirate, Morales said she wanted to share her wisdom and experience to the future graduates of Seton Hall.
"If you're passionate about something, you have to move forward with it with no fear," Morales said. "The most important thing is to network, ask a lot of questions and do your research."
According to Morales, the goal of the label has a lot to do with music appreciation.
"I just want people to know about the music," Morales said.
Amy Pujara can be reached at amy.pujara@student.shu.edu.
