How 7th Heaven guitarist juggles 14 companies
Richard Hofherr, guitarist since 1985 and co-founder of the band 7th Heaven, has packed in 200 shows a year, opened for Bon Jovi and Cheap Trick, written music, and recorded commercials for companies from Subway restaurants to Walter E. Smithe furniture stores.
While fans continue to download the group's music, the Streamwood resident leads another life - as an entrepreneur.
He has so far spun off 14 companies related in some way to the band. He works at such a pace that he sleeps between 6 a.m. and noon because he gets most of his work done in the middle of the night.
"My favorite day of the week is Monday," said Hofherr, 45. "Others dread it, but I don't. Life is in motion on Mondays."
His companies are under the umbrella corporation called NTD World. It includes NTD Management that helps to manage bands; NTD Records in partnership with Apple and Amazon that produces recordings for 7th Heaven and other bands; NTD Music that publishes and licenses their music for TV, film, games and retail store outlets, including Subway, Abercrombie and Fitch, Office Depot, Toys R Us and Goodwill; NTD Video that produces TV commercials for Walter E. Smith, Dish Network, Shedd Aquarium, Empress Casino and others; NTD Graphics, which provides designs; NTD Events that produces festivals such as Elgin Ribfest; NTD Vacations that books cruises; and NTD Payment Solutions that offers credit card processing.
His most recent creation is NTD Properties, where he buys and flips homes, and he's planning a real estate portal, as well. The real estate connections likely come from his wife, Lisa Hofherr, and his mother, Connie Hofherr, both real estate professionals with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Starck Real Estate.
Richard Hofherr said he started creating the companies because of needs of the band.
"I just ended up learning the skills and then starting the businesses," he said.
Overall, NTD World has about 30 employees based in the Chicago area. There's also a warehouse in Bartlett.
Juggling all of his performances with the band while ensuring all his companies stay viable has kept him beyond busy.
"I don't do drugs and don't do alcohol," he said. "I'm just a pretty hardworking guy. And I'm not motivated by money. I'm just motivated by accomplishment. Accomplishments stay with you until you die. Money can be taken away from you."
In the midst of all that, he and his wife and two children are preparing to move into a new home soon. Despite the upheaval of packing up a household, he still relishes music and business, he said.
"I never tire of it. I love it," he said. "I live an awesome life. It's not stressful. I've been having the time of my life."
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