Queens Tech Corner: Daniel Powers Jr of Real Brave

Can you tell us a little about your company and how you got your start?  

I opened the first Real Brave studio in Queens in 2006 with a couple of credit cards, used gear, and the belief that anyone can become a musician if they get the right mix of structure and encouragement. What started as one small room grew into a multi-location platform serving thousands, supported by a SaaS tool I built called PracticePad. It lets students track progress, take online lessons in our portal, watch their assignments, and stay connected between lessons. 

How did you get your start in tech?

Tech showed up out of necessity. As Real Brave grew, I could not find software that matched how our teachers and students worked, so I built PracticePad from the ground up. It became the digital backbone of the company. What started as a way to reduce chaos turned into a full SaaS platform with over a thousand active users and a 90 percent feature adoption rate by 2025. 

Do you do any work to support your local community? 

I founded a nonprofit called After School Rocks that brought arts and education programs to underserved youth. We secured more than $300,000 in funding, partnered with New York’s largest social service organization, and expanded programs across the Bronx. I also represented 900 New York and New Jersey business owners before Congress during the PPP2 and small business related hearings. 

It’s Queens Tech Corner time! The Queens Tech Corner is a monthly profile where we shine a spotlight on tech entrepreneurs doing exciting things right here in Queens. This month’s featured tech entrepreneur is Daniel Powers Jr., President of Real Brave, an in-person and online music company offering lessons for more than nine instruments. To learn more, visit the company’s website at https://www.realbraveaudio.com/. .