Basement Studio vs Rent vs Construct - Need Advice | John Sayers’ Recording Studio Design Forum archive

Background: I've grown up around both computers and music. I decided that programming would be the best bet to pay the bills, and when I got comfortable enough I would venture off into music. So here I am a few years out of school (I was a freelance developer throughout high school), financially stable, better time than any to jump into it. I don't have much music experience (dad owned a studio, i've dabbled a bit in low end gear) nor am I instrumentally experienced, but I feel my technical experience will get me through :) What I Want To Do: Essentially, I am starting a record label/promotion company that could potentially offer public services, but that isn't my interest at the moment ( which is what makes my decision so difficult ). Some point in life, I ended up in Iowa from Chicago, and have come to appreciate it out here but one of the things that seems to be sorely lacking, is a presence of a local market in entertainment ( which isn't limited to Iowa, the commercialized industry seems to have taken over, and there isn't much available to local artists who aren't developed/popular other than local gigs/mixtapes, etc.. ). Especially in this city, there is such a diverse number of people from other states, many of which are undiscovered talent. What I see to frequently is any talented artist(s) who are here, end up moving else where because of the lack of exposure ( though moving from a pond to sea full of fish isn't exactly going to help). End Tanget.. So I want to provide local artists an "environment" where they can collaborate, record, and have a platform to be discovered. In the end, I just want to be around other talented people, and help them achieve their goals. Making money off of hourly sessions, promotional campaigns, etc, is of little interest to me because I live well enough just through my normal 9-5. Given the little experience I have, I feel that the time I have to work with others is enough of a payment if anything. Initially, my goal was to sell the house, have a building constructed ( perhaps put a rv/mobile home in the back, or build living quarters within the building ), and everything would be great! Luckily, I have a great wife who supports all of my endeavors, and is willing to go down that route if I choose, but asked one simple and sensible question. Why start a business if your primary goal isn't to make money? And that is where I am stuck.. I always said that perhaps in exchange for free studio time and other services, I would be compensated if they ever signed a major distribution/label deal exceeding a certain amount ( figuring that more than likely, a local artist wont be selling 10's of thousands out the gate ). So they would be an artist on my label, and would keep any revenue generated from materials resulting from my services, but if it were to exceed a set amount, there would be some percentages. But, in all likely hood none of the artists I help will make it the big. So is it worth sacrificing my standard of living to support this venture? Investing in a new building, which I will pretty much be responsible for the rest of my live is a huge step. But if I rent, I risk the chance of someone selling the building, terminating the lease, any number of issues (this ended up being the downfall of my fathers studio). And if I go in a basement, I can't do the number of things I have visioned ( control booth, iso room, live room, lounges, video/photo set, venue, radio station, etc ). More than just local artists, I want to get schools (students) involved, especially those who have families who don't have the financial or physical means to help them with gear, or rehearsal space, etc etc (I saw a lot of this in high school).. I feel there is just so much that I can do, but unless I have a good starting point, its pointless. I don't just want to be another studio in someone's house....