Valley Stream studio grows from a simple dream

What started out as a small recording studio to help out some family and friends has become one of Valley Stream’s most successful small businesses in the last half-decade. Last Friday, Strong Side Studios owner Darryl Granum was recognized as the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce’s Businessperson of the Year.

Granum said he started the recording studio in 2005 to help out his nephews and a few local artists. In what he described as a “little hole in the wall” on the second floor of a West Merrick Road building, Granum said that is where the dream began.

“Rent couldn’t be paid with just recording my nephews,” Granum said about how his business began to expand. One of his early concepts was hosting recording studio birthday parties, after doing one for his daughter, Crystal. Now a senior a Central High School, she reminds her father every day that he owes his success to her, Granum said. He also has a son Darryl, in seventh grade at Memorial Junior High School.

He began to host numerous classes at his studio including Latin and hip-hop dance, Zumba, yoga, koga (kickboxing plus yoga), and belly dancing. Then there was the recording aspect, in which Granum would open up his studio to local artists. Many people came in to record their own projects, from song demos to impersonations. Others, like local band Lost in Forever, ended up partnering with the studio owner.

Granum manages the Valley Stream band, made up of teenagers from local high schools. When he sees an artist or a band that is passionate and committed, Granum says, “I can’t help but help them.”

In 2007, he moved his business to a storefront on Rockaway Avenue. Within two years, he outgrew that space and moved again, this time to a second floor suite on East Merrick Road.

He holds dance classes for the Valley Stream Police Activities League. This past summer, he hosted several teen talent nights at the John Smith Bandshell on the Village Green. Additionally, he has partnered with local residents Diane Tischer and Joanne Cuomo to form non-profit agency Star Potential. The group encourages teens who don’t necessarily want to be in the spotlight, to help out behind the scenes.

Granum has a strong relationship with the Valley Stream Chamber of Commerce, one of the reasons he was chosen at its Businessperson of the Year. He was honored with about three dozen other business owners at the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce annual awards breakfast on Oct. 7 at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

He serves on the Board of Directors for the Valley Stream Chamber and has hosted a speed networking event and Chamber holiday party at his studio. Networking opportunities are important for Granum, and he said the relationships he has developed with other business owners have helped his studio grow. “People know me because of the Chamber,” he said. “I’ve gotten so much out of it.”

Granum said he got involved in the Chamber at the recommendation of fellow board member Angela Ogurick. The two knew each other the local Business Networking International chapter. Now Granum returns the favor and encourages other local merchants to join the Chamber.

“I’m very appreciative that the Chamber recognized me for what I do,” he said. “I’m very honored.”

Chamber of Commerce President Debbi Gyulay said Granum was given the honor because of his success in not only opening, but expanding his studio. “Darryl has been dedicated to Valley Stream keeping his business here when he decided to expand,” she said. “Through the Chamber, PAL and other activities geared toward the youth of Valley Stream, Darryl has shown that he truly cares for our community. He is well deserving of this award.”

Granum said the key to success as a business owner has been trying new ideas and refusing to give up. Even with the challenges of a tough economy, Granum said he has the drive to keep his studio growing. Seeing the joy his business brings to the community’s youth is his greatest reward.