BizHawk: LoDo Studios Steps Into the Spotlight in Santa Barbara
LoDo Studios owner Jacob Tell has opened a production and recording space at 216 E. Gutierrez St. in Santa Barbara. (Joshua Molina / Noozhawk photo)
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Lower downtown Santa Barbara is home to a new and creative venue.
Created by entrepreneur Jacob Tell, LoDo Studios offers full-scale production areas for photo and video shoots, as well as a professional recording studio for voiceovers and podcast content.
Tell, owner of marketing agency Oniracom, lauched the business earlier this year. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies and nonprofit organizations were aching for a return to parties, gathering and special events. LoDo Studios offers the space in its urban outdoor area at 216 E. Gutierrez St. The event area encompasses about 5,000 square feet of usable space for events of any size.
Among the groups that have rented the venue include the Green Business Network, the Isla Vista Youth Projects, the Environmental Defense Center, Los Padres ForestWatch, the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Santa Barbara Solstice Parade. The space also has hosted music events for local record label We’Wey Records and Sofar Sounds and comedy nights in association with Don’t Tell Comedy, according to a news release.
“Real estate comes at a premium in Santa Barbara, and small- and medium-sized businesses don't often have budgets that allow them a high-cost production or event space," Tell said. "Not only are we reasonably priced, but we have gear and talented team members ready to collaborate with Santa Barbara's community."
Tell said that before COVID-19 pandemic restrictions were lifted, nonprofit organizations were unable to run their in-person galas but still needed to raise their annual funds.
"They turned to livestream technology," Tell said, "and with our talented livestream team, we ended up hosting over 30 nonprofit fundraising livestream events from our studio space."
Tell created Oniracom, a digital marketing agency whose clients include singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, as well companies Spotify, AEG, NPR, Universal and others.
The next big event at LoDo Studios is the Santa Barbara Solstice Foundation and its “Get on Board 2023” event on Oct. 15 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free and brings together local artists and community members.