Joshua Southern specializes in visual technology while Alicia Southern specializes in photography. The idea for Risky Studios sparked when the couple realized they could combine their content-creation specialties into one major company. 

The business model centers around renting out in-studio resources, like couches for casual video shooting, interchangeable photo backdrops, studio lighting and recording equipment.

Although Risky Studios will still operate out of the same building at 301 M.A.C. Ave., their space has grown. They've upgraded from one room to a separate room for each service they provide.

The space now offers music production rooms, podcast rooms and photography studios.

Risky Studio's clientele is a mixture of Lansing residents, business owners, motivational speakers and most frequently, musicians. Joshua Southern said tapping into the Michigan State University student population will be critical for expanding Risky Studios.

Risky Studios originally began as Risky Music Group. Carlton Smith, also known as C-Mighty, has been a rapper for four years and signed with Risky Music Group in August 2019. Since then, Smith and the Southerns have become best friends through the process of working together.

Smith recently released his second album, “Return To Glory."  He believes Risky Studios it has the potential to become a popular record label.

“I want Risky to come up from the ground up and actually be one of the big record labels and actually go global,” Smith said. “I got big expectations.” 

Cameron Atwood, more commonly known as Kamwood, has been rapping for over 10 years and joined Risky Music Group when they first opened up their original studios. Atwood said the the environment is nothing short of great, especially with the way that “everybody works together.” 

Clients can also book sessions with Atwood at Risky Studios if they want help with making music or studio work. Atwood enjoys working with people to “get better creatively.” 

Smith thanked those who have been supporting Risky and the music that the label has produced in the last few years. 

“I pray we just get more and more fans (that) actually listen to our music and just see what we’re all about,” Smith said.