Today we’d like to introduce you to Jake Watts.
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?
I moved to Nashville after graduating college to pursue music, with the idea that I’d also go to law school. Like so many people who end up here, life had other plans. While working at a restaurant, writing songs, and chasing a career as an artist, I unexpectedly fell into the world of investment real estate. What started as a business became another creative outlet. I love taking a house down to the studs, re-imagining the space, and bringing something that may have been forgotten back to life.
Along the way, I signed a record deal with RCA Records under the artist name, WATTS, and had the opportunity to collaborate with artists like Khalid, Don Diablo, and Goth Babe. Those experiences taught me that creativity isn’t limited to one medium—and that the major-label world, while an incredible experience in many ways, isn’t necessarily for everyone (more on that later).
Whether it’s music, painting, fashion, or restoring homes, I’ve always been a bit of a serial hobbyist. At this point, I’ve accepted that I may just have a hard time having one personality—or one hobby—at a time. Over time, I’ve realized those interests aren’t separate at all—they’re all driven by the same curiosity to create. And that’s where I find myself today—still creating music independently, still working in investment real estate, and still finding new hobbies and new ways to be creative. I think I’ve realized that, for me, creativity doesn’t really have a single outlet. It’s just part of how you move through each day. And, apparently, keeping things simple was never really my thing.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges came after signing my deal with RCA. Like a lot of artists, I thought that meant everything would fall into place. But with leadership changes and restructuring, everything shifted. Suddenly, plans were postponed, and I had a Dropbox folder full of music sitting with no clear path forward. It was frustrating, but it pushed me to understand the business side of the industry—publishing, contracts, ownership, and making sure I had the right people around me.
Eventually, with the help of my great attorney, Jeff Colvin (shoutout Jeff, one of Nashville’s best in entertainment), we were able to find a way to negotiate my release from the deal. Funny enough, some of my favorite opportunities came after that chapter, like my song with Goth Babe, who’s one of my best friends in the world (also shoutout, Griff). I had a chance to create music on my own terms and it kind of reframed the way I think about setbacks. I used to think creative freedom came after success, now I think creative freedom is the success.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
To keep it simple, I’d say I’m a singer-songwriter, artist & real estate investor. I’ve always had a hard time putting myself into one box, which I’ve kind of come to see as a strength. I get excited about a lot of different things, and I think that curiosity has shaped a lot of what I do. Both sides of my work are really about creating something from an idea. With music, I love writing songs that feel honest and emotional, and in real estate, I try to find opportunities that may have been overlooked, and figure out how to make it better.
I’m probably most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to pursue both paths without really giving up on either one. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really cool artists, release music and shoot a music video through a major label, and build a career on my own terms. At the same time, I’ve built a business in real estate and learned a completely different side of entrepreneurship. I don’t know that I’ve ever had a perfectly defined plan for where I was going, but I’ve always tried to follow the things I’m genuinely interested in and see where they take me.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I think without risk, there isn’t much reward. It’s something I try to remind myself of on a daily basis, although it’s definitely easier said than done. Taking risks is scary—especially when there’s money, relationships, other people’s opinions, or your own sense of security on the line.
I don’t necessarily think of myself as a fearless risk-taker. If anything, I’ve learned that the biggest risks are usually the ones that make you stop and think, “Am I really doing this?” Moving to Nashville to pursue music was a risk. Getting into investment real estate was a risk. Signing a major-label record deal was a risk, and eventually finding a way out of that deal was arguably an even bigger one.
What I’ve learned is that taking a risk doesn’t mean you’re confident it will work out. It means you believe the possibility of what could happen is worth being uncomfortable for. Sometimes it pays off exactly the way you hoped, and sometimes it takes you somewhere completely different. Either way, I think there’s a lot of value in betting on yourself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/___watts___
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/rqMwvCmgE44?si=l1cfbKlmRhMEiuNJ
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4B3aifxHtpcKHuNi12lmSt?si=Njbjr85pRdqXfaYfFIUx0A&utm_source=copy-link
