I started teaching occasional piano lessons in high school and my parents encouraged me to think about starting a business and even had me apply for a scholarship from NFIB (which as it happens I won!). After college I started teaching in a local music store and my family and friends kept reassuring me that I had the ability, skill, and personality to open my own music lessons studio. As a short while passed, I mentioned to my boyfriend a specific date that I wanted to open the studio and forgot about it. Fast forward to my desired opening year 3 months prior to the date, he brought it back up. He asked me if I still had the desire, to which I answered with a resounding YES. Afterwards he kept me aimed toward that goal and did everything he could to make sure I got the ball rolling, and you know what I did!
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
I'm still so new to the whole entrepreneurial arena, but I think learning how to market myself has been a truly eye opening experience. Being comfortable with promoting my services has really been the hardest hurdle for me. I'm anything but a pushy person so I was always hesitant to venture into what I felt like was invading your space by pushing and advertising my own agenda. However I'm still learning that not worth asking is not worth having. Knowing the value in what I provide is key.
What books are you currently reading? And your recommendation for entrepreneurs to read?
I'm mostly reading books by up and coming authors! I just finished "Rabbit Cake" by Annie Hartnett, "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely and "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone and not one of those has anything to do with business development! I choose to read books re: by those who are starting new journeys in the area of writing because I can completely relate to the hardships new authors face starting out in the industry.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits? How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
I’m going to start out by just saying I am very blessed to have people in my life who believe in following your dreams. No one has ever objected to my branching out and doing my own thing. I can't say it enough: having people behind you encouraging you and keeping you focused and grounded is priceless. I know that is a great contributor to my even having the courage to step out on my own.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
My students!!! I always say that I have the best students and parents. Everyone works so hard and they keep me energized and ready to work. I can have an awful start to the day but when I walk through those doors and see each smile, hear each question, or experience each moment of realization from my students it changes everything. You won't find the K2G experience anywhere else because my students and families are here! They wholeheartedly support my approach to teaching, they appreciate my personality, they truly sense my calling, and all of that is what keeps people coming back week after week while staying connected and supporting the business whether through sponsorships or recommendations even once they’ve left the studio.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
I always thought that once I got my own business that was it. I would feel completely accomplished and would be content to settle in for the ride. I never knew that once I started on that entrepreneurial journey, the desire to grow and find something else to develop would be unquenchable! I'm constantly looking for ways to improve the business, ways to branch off and do other things and how to help others start their journey as well!
What advice would you give to an upcoming entrepreneur locally and internationally?
Always be your very best YOU. Make sure you always keep the people in your corner who are going to push and support you. I wouldn't have taken the leap if those behind me that I trusted weren't right there making sure I didn't come up with an excuse not to grow. Without them I would've settled with being less than my very best. But now that I've embarked on this journey, each day I look for one thing I can do better than the day before. Always keep growing!
