It is never easy for anyone to have success in music.
I've been an amature inventor for a long time.
I listened to many different types of instruments and music, and have always tried to look at the bass as an instrument as opposed to only a bass.
And no again: My studio is not a first or any step toward becoming any type of businessman on my part.
Very often I suspend my musical sensibilities to enjoy music as a fan.
As far as current inspiration, I'm listenting to a lot of flamenco, because the techniques used for flamenco can be adapted to playing bass.