How a Millennial Wedding Guitarist Built a $70,000 Monthly Income Through Music and Real Estate

Moses Lin never imagined that strumming his guitar for a $3 tip at a local coffee shop would one day lead to a six-figure income and a million-dollar net worth. But at 31, the Southern California native has done just that, combining his musical talents with an eye for real estate to create a uniquely modern American success story.

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“It was insane,” Lin says, recalling his $70,794 earnings last April from a combination of wedding gigs and real estate investments. It’s a far cry from his humble beginnings, and points to the changing landscape of work and wealth for millennials willing to take unconventional paths.

Lin’s primary gig as a wedding guitarist now brings in fees of up to $15,000 per event, he told CNBC’s Make It series. Couples pay for his musical skills and foot the bill for his travel and support crew. Last June, he realized a longtime dream of playing weddings in Italy’s Lake Como and Milan.

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But it’s Lin’s move into real estate that has really cemented his financial success. He took advantage of the pandemic’s pause in live events and bought his first properties in Little Rock, Arkansas, in May 2020. It was “one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life,” Lin told CNBC.

With eight properties in his portfolio, Lin’s rental income provides a steady backbeat for his more volatile music income. While the roughly $2,500 monthly profit isn’t enough to live on, Lin sees the investments as long-term investments. “It’s so minimal that I don’t even consider it work,” he explained, noting that he spends less than an hour a week managing his properties.

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Lin’s story raises questions about the changing nature of careers and wealth creation for millennials. In an era where traditional paths to financial security seem increasingly out of reach for many, his multifaceted approach offers a potential blueprint for others.

Still, Lin is quick to point out the challenges that come with his success, particularly in real estate. “How do we balance things where it’s a good financial choice, but you’re also not building an empire by exploiting people?” he said, grappling with the ethical implications of being a landlord in today’s housing market.

As Lin grows his music business and real estate portfolio, he told CNBC that he’s also found time to mentor other aspiring musician-entrepreneurs, charging $1,500 for hour-long coaching sessions. He wishes he’d had access to this role when he started, noting that there’s a lack of business-savvy mentors in the wedding music industry.

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With earnings of around $275,000 in 2024 and projections to reach $500,000 by the end of the year, Lin has already reached his million-dollar net worth goal. He attributes much of his success to telling people what his goals are, a financial and professional strategy that has paid dividends.

As the gig economy continues to evolve and millennials look for innovative ways to build wealth, Lin’s transition from coffee shop artist to successful entrepreneur offers a compelling case study in the power of diversification and the ability to turn passion into profit.

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This article How a Millennial Wedding Guitarist Built a $70,000-a-Month Income Through Music and Real Estate originally appeared on Benzinga.com