From Portsmouth Kitchens to Legend’s Studios: The Real Story of Produced by Nef’s Climb

Scale to Sale Consulting sat down with Jonas “Nef”, it's newest client, to unpack how a Portsmouth chef became DJ Premier’s go‑to engineer—and how every step of that journey holds a business lesson you can apply today. Below are some of our favorite insights, paired with excerpts from Nef’s new blog.

Start from the Ground Up

“There was no higher to go in New Hampshire. I had to become the small fish again.” (producedbynef.com)

Before foreign tours and awards, Nef was just Jonas—cooking by day in Portsmouth, NH, and mixing late‑night sessions in Dover. That self‑awareness (“small fish”) fueled his strategy to master every role, from line cook to studio sweeper.

Learn in Silence, Earn Through Service

“I didn’t say a word the first year. I just soaked up the game.” (producedbynef.com)

Year one in NYC meant sweeping floors at Statik Selektah’s ShowOFF Studio, handing out beat CDs, and proving his value without a word. In our episode, Nef explains why this humble service built more trust than any cold outreach ever could.

Treat Collaborations Like Family

“These were deep‑rooted friendships. Real brotherhoods. Not features—family.” (producedbynef.com)

By year two, Nef’s discipline translated into relationships with Ren Thomas and Dirty Sanchez—partnerships forged on mutual grind, not transactional hype. We break down how to replicate that depth in your own network.

Seize “Small Asks” That Lead to Big Breaks

“It wasn’t a big break. It was a small ask—show up. So I did. Again and again.” (producedbynef.com)

When DJ Premier first needed a session engineer, Nef didn’t pitch a demo—he simply answered the call. His consistency turned one small studio request into an ongoing creative partnership.

Watch This Interview on Scale to Sale Consulting's YouTube

Build a Platform, Not Just a Portfolio

“Most of these guys have never been in a real industry room. They teach from YouTube videos. Not experience.” (producedbynef.com)

Inspired by those lessons, Nef launched The Gentleman’s Board—a mentorship community grounded in real‑world studio wisdom. In our interview, we discuss how Scale to Sale is helping him package that expertise into a self‑sustaining digital asset.

Partner for Long‑Term Asset Growth

“After nearly a decade of grind, I made a strategic move to partner with Scale to Sale Consulting—not just to market my work, but to turn it into a self‑sustaining ecosystem of digital assets.” (producedbynef.com)

Together, we’re optimizing his leased and exclusive beat stores, scaling his organic audience, and automating the launch of new modules for The Gentleman’s Board—so every beat, mix, and video keeps generating value long after release day.

▶️ Listen now to Episode 11: “The Quiet Grind” on the Scale to Sale Podcast for the full breakdown of Nef’s climb—and the exact frameworks we’re using to transform creative hustle into asset‑based revenue.

Stay humble. Stay patient. Build real.