John McElligott and Mike McHenry had more in common than names that start with “Mc” when they met in 2005: both played in rock bands in and around York and both were struggling to pay for creative services like photography, videography, mixing, mastering and graphic design or “do a mediocre job of it ourselves” at the expense of their music, says McHenry.
With a third partner, Dan Thompson, they're addressing the problem with The Usic, a startup, co-op web marketplace for artist-entrepreneurs. “We've realized that not only have we created a way for musicians to band together to get all the services they need, but we've stumbled on to something much larger,” says McElligott. “Imagine if there was a place that you could go to find a moviemaker that would jump at the chance to shoot a short documentary on your grandfather at a price you could afford? … Or a local musician that would love to come and perform at your BBQ? … Or a new photographer who would kill for the chance to get paid while they build their portfolio?”
Since its soft launch in the York-Lancaster-Harrisburg market in May, the site is growing fast, with most metrics up 150% in August alone, The Usic reports. The company currently employs six, including two web developers hired this summer, and plans to bring on Internet marketers. With private investment and a boost from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Central and Northern Pennsylvania, “We've validated much of our business model,” says McHenry. Next, The Usic plans to expand into the Baltimore market and from there, he adds, “we tackle Philadelphia, New York City, and the rest of the nation.”
Source: John McElligott and Mike McHenry, The Usic
Writer: Elise Vider
