Meet Paul Huff | Music Distribution and Record Label Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paul Huff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paul, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
A strong work ethic is the top habit that has helped me to succeed. My grandparents raised me, and my grandfather served in World War II and was a self-made business man. I was made to start working when I was 12 years of age. We raised most of our food, and my grandfather made me work after school and on the weekends helping him and my uncle. Other habits that have helped me are honesty and the desire to never give up. In my opinion, a persons word is extremely important. Also, the desire to never give up when pursuing your dreams. Once you quit, it becomes easier each time. I don’t quit. Sometimes, you need to adapt and change but you never quit.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the owner and creator of The Cosmic Peddler. The Cosmic Peddler is a music distribution store for hard to get, hard to find, limited edition, and mostly imported underground rock n’ roll style music. The emphasis of the store is on selling records, but we do sell compact discs, cassette tapes, and some other music related items. I also work with bands I like to produce music, which I sell in my store.

I was playing in a band, when I heard this music, which to me sounded like the music I grew up with in the 70’s and 80’s. My friends explained to me about how difficult it was to obtain this style of music on record. When I looked over the internet, I could not find any stores in the United States that brought all this music into one location. I am the only music distribution store in the United States that brings this specific type of music into one location without having to dig through all the other styles of music. We sell a niche style of music.

I opened a small store in a mall style location in November of 2019. Within three months, the coronavirus came. I was forced to shut down my store by the city. I closed my store, brought everything home, and started an on-line business that has continued to grow since development.

The most difficult problem I have encountered is there is no road -map for how to start a business. I looked for help to develop my business, but I could not find any. The reason is that every business is different. You make it your own. So, you have to go through the hard lessons and develop your business from those lessons.

I sell limited edition, hard to get or find, underground rock n’ roll music from all over the world. My customers come to me, because of the ability to purchase this music in one location and cheaper than buying these items individually overseas. I take pride in everything I do with my business, and I communicate effectively with my customers. Customers love the ease of navigation, purchase and shipping from my company.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My favorite place to take someone when they visit is the laser light show on the San Fernando Cathedral in downtown San Antonio. My favorite places to eat and drink are Kunstler Brewery and Blue Star Brewery.

To me, some of the most fun, interesting, and exciting people, places or things to check out for me is tubing on the Guadalupe, the San Antonio Riverwalk, and Saint Mary’s Street concerts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The majority of the credit for who I am goes to my grandparents. I was raised by my great-grandmother, grandmother, and grandfather. The values and ethics that they instilled into me while growing up made me who I am today. I also owe my success to the United States Army where I served for 23 years. Hands-down the best experiences ever, good and bad. The values and work ethic that the Army instilled in me was just a continuation of the same ones I developed from my grandparents.

Website: www.TheCosmicPeddler.com

Instagram: TheCosmicPeddler

Facebook: The Cosmic Peddler

Image Credits
Steven Yoyada is an artist from the Philippines who does all my artwork. The band photo is me with a band called Crypt Trip, who is big in my scene. The photo of me with the bald guy. He is the owner of a large record company called Ripple Music out of California.