We recently had the chance to connect with Collin Kehl and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Collin, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Lately, I’ve been catching myself laughing at the small things — not because they’re funny, but because of how far we’ve come.
The other day, I walked into the studio and saw a tangle of cables, a half-built vocal booth, empty coffee cups, and a whiteboard full of ideas… and instead of getting stressed like I might’ve in the past, I just laughed. It hit me that this chaos — this grind, this progress — is exactly what I used to dream about.
Owning a studio wasn’t just a business move. It was a leap. A commitment to building something real from the ground up. And every time a client walks in, every time we tighten up the layout, every time we make the space just a little better than it was the day before, I feel that quiet pride hit me in the chest.
Pride that we didn’t wait for perfect conditions.
Pride that we didn’t back down when the timeline stretched or the budget got tight.
Pride that we’re creating a home for artists — a place where people walk in with an idea and walk out with something they’re proud of.
We’re still shaping Doubtless Productions every day. Some days it feels like we’re architects. Some days it feels like we’re firefighters. Some days it feels like we’re mad scientists trying to wire up a spaceship.
But I wouldn’t trade a second of it.
This studio started as a dream.
Now it’s a reality.
And every messy, beautiful, ridiculous moment has been worth it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Collin, and alongside my business partner Zackary Shreves, I am the co-founder of Doubtless Productions, a growing creative hub and recording studio based in the Kansas City metro area. What started as a small, appointment-only room built purely from passion has grown into a multi-disciplinary studio and media brand with a clear mission: to empower artists with high-quality production, real strategy, and a space that feels like home.
Doubtless Productions isn’t just a recording studio — it’s a place where creativity, community, and culture intersect. Together, Zackary and I work with musicians, creators, and storytellers at every stage of their journey, offering recording, mixing, video production, artist development, and label services under one unified vision. Operating with the heart of a boutique label, we prioritize authenticity, long-term growth, and the belief that great art deserves the same level of support as great ambition.
Right now, we’re expanding our studio offerings, building a new content ecosystem—including live performance videos, docu-style storytelling, and weekly shows—and laying the groundwork for a larger brick-and-mortar evolution that will bring even more resources to artists in our region. What makes Doubtless Productions unique isn’t just the quality of what we create — it’s the purpose behind it: we build with artists, not just for them.
Whether it’s a new band recording their first single or an emerging artist preparing for a release campaign, Doubtless Productions is here to help transform genuine passion into something powerful, polished, and unforgettable.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world tried to shape me, I was a kid who was obsessed with sound, creativity, and possibility. I was the one tearing things apart just to understand how they worked, recording anything I could get my hands on, dreaming in melodies and ideas long before I had the words to explain them.
I was curious. Unfiltered. Unapologetically driven by passion instead of expectations.
I wasn’t trying to “be” anything yet — I was just creating because it felt natural. Music wasn’t a career path; it was a language. Community wasn’t a strategy; it was instinct. And building things — studios, brands, movements — came from that same place of wanting to make something real out of thin air.
Before the world tried to tell me who I had to be, I was simply myself: a creator who believed that art was worth protecting, that spaces matter, and that people deserve to feel seen in what they make.
In a lot of ways, I’m working every day to get back to that version of myself — the one who created without limits, trusted his gut, and believed that the impossible wasn’t really impossible at all.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
There will be roadblocks, setbacks, and moments that make you question everything — but in the end, it’ll all be worth it. Every late night, every doubt, every time you felt like you were starting over… those moments become your strength.
Keep going, even when it feels slow. Keep believing, even when no one understands what you see. The world will try to reshape you, distract you, and convince you to take the safer path — but don’t let it. Your passion is real. Your vision is real. And one day, everything you’re building toward will make sense in ways you can’t imagine yet.
You become someone you’d be proud of.
So stay focused, stay hungry, and keep moving. You’re on the right path — even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in the music industry is that success is linear — that if you follow a certain formula or checklist, you’ll “make it.” The truth is, every path is different, and the industry often ignores how much luck, timing, and real human connection play into breakthroughs.
Another lie is that numbers matter more than people. We hype streams, followers, and analytics like they’re the only indicators that matter, but none of that replaces genuine artistry, community, or the impact of music that actually moves people. Too many great artists get overlooked simply because they don’t fit a trending metric.
There’s also the lie that artists should be grateful for any opportunity — even if it undervalues their work. Whether it’s shows that don’t pay, exploitative contracts, or “exposure” disguised as compensation, the industry often pretends that artists shouldn’t expect fair treatment or real investment.
And maybe the most damaging lie: that you have to be something you’re not to succeed.
Whether it’s copying the current sound, building a fake persona online, or trying to fit into a mold, the industry pushes the idea that authenticity is optional. But the artists who last — the ones who actually build careers — are the ones who stay rooted in who they are.
Overall, the industry lies to itself about what really matters.
At the end of the day, it’s still about the music, the story, the connection, and the work you put in when nobody’s watching. The rest is noise.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When have you had to bet the company?
Right now, we’re in the biggest bet we’ve ever made: building our new Doubtless Productions studio, set to open in 2026. This isn’t just a room with gear — it’s a full creative hub, designed to be a place where artists can record, grow, and tell their stories.
The risk is real. We’re investing every resource we have into a space that doesn’t yet exist, taking on construction, gear, and operational costs before a single client walks in. There’s no guaranteed income, no shortcuts, and no certainty that everything will go perfectly. Every decision — from layout to equipment to marketing — has to pay off in the long term, or we’re the ones who bear the cost.
But that’s the point. Building this studio is a bet on our vision, on our team, and on the artists we believe in. It forces us to plan meticulously, act boldly, and trust that the work we’re putting in now will create something sustainable and transformative.
Betting the company isn’t reckless for us — it’s intentional. We’re building the future we want to see, and we’re willing to take that risk because we know the payoff isn’t just financial — it’s the chance to create a space that will change the game for artists in our community.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doubtlessproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doubtlessproductions/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doubtless-productions/?viewAsMember=true
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoubtlessProductions/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5XOOeeRVlkcbiUTDUB5Qyw
- Other: https://groover.co/en/influencer/profile/0.doubtless-productions/
@doubtlessproductions
