Today we’re back with part two of a great conversation with someone you may have encountered on YouTube - The Ukulele Teacher aka John Atkins. John is YouTuber, Patreon creative, and now podcaster who got his start on YouTube back in 2011. We talk about the opportunities and the challenges of being an early user of platforms like Patreon, how monetization on YouTube has changed over time, and how John is continuing to find new creative outlets to keep his work fresh and meaningful. A full transc...
Mar 01, 2023•30 min
Today we’re back with part one of a great conversation with someone you may have encountered on YouTube - The Ukulele Teacher aka John Atkins. John is YouTuber, Patreon creative, and now podcaster who got his start on YouTube back in 2011. We talk about the opportunities and the challenges of being an early user of platforms like Patreon, how monetization on YouTube has changed over time, and how John is continuing to find new creative outlets to keep his work fresh and meaningful. A full transc...
Feb 22, 2023•26 min
Today’s episode is a little different than usual. Amy Elmore (who you may remember from Studio Snapshot 007 ) is returning to talk about mindset and goal-setting. We’re also pulling back the curtain on a little thing we’ve got in the works to release later this spring. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode112 ....
Jan 18, 2023•47 min
2022 has officially come to a close. With the turn of the calendar, many of us are closing the fiscal years for our businesses and wrapping up our bookkeeping for the year in anticipation of the tax season ahead. I am a HUGE fan of a low-stress tax season and the way to accomplish that is to get started early and tackle one step at a time. Which is why I invited back to the podcast, Andrea Yahr, a certified tax preparer, to get us going. Andrea’s first appearance on the Music Studio Startup podc...
Jan 11, 2023•35 min
A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode110.
Jan 04, 2023•5 min
Today I’m joined by two guests who have started two businesses together: a thriving, multi-location conservatory, and a practice app to motivate and inspire students. You’ll get to hear about how Chris and Robert manage both businesses and what they’ve learned along the way. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode109.
Dec 21, 2022•41 min
Today I have the pleasure of welcoming back Chris Swan, a guest who was on the podcast back in Episode 066 . In that episode we talked about Chris’s studio STL Piano Lessons and all the changes he made in his first years in business to get his studio where he wanted it to be. Chris was super transparent about the highs and lows he had experienced as a business owner, and he was really good at articulating the challenges he was facing, and how he was iterating along the way to address those chall...
Dec 14, 2022•49 min
Over the next two episodes, you’re going to hear from two teachers who have moved and restarted their studios in new cities. The circumstances are pretty different, so I think you’ll enjoy hearing the contrast between the two experiences. Today I’m joined by a teacher who relocated from Colorado to Utah. We talk about the steps she took and timeline she followed to close one studio and how she went about filling her new studio. Here’s my conversation with Cheyenne Olson. A full transcript and re...
Dec 07, 2022•33 min
Today’s podcast hits on one of the harder aspects of being a music studio owner and one of the harder aspects of life in general: navigating through a personal crisis. In a time of crisis, your world is turned upside down. You might be facing uncertainty, confusion, grief, pain, or a whole host of emotions, but the rest of the world is still turning. And as business owners, taking time away to figure things out may not be as simple as calling your admin and trusting them to take care of all the ...
Nov 30, 2022•37 min
If you’ve been a music teacher for a while, you’re probably familiar with the most common studio management systems out there. And you may have noticed in the last year or so that one of these platforms got a makeover and a new name. Music Teacher’s Helper and its counterpart for multi-teacher studios, Studio Helper, have become Duet Partner. Behind the name change and rebrand, there’s also a new owner and CEO. Today I have the privilege of talking to Neylan McBaine about how she came to buy the...
Nov 23, 2022•53 min
Today we’re covering a topic that is a huge question for musicians and often a barrier for people considering self-employment. The topic is: health insurance. Whether you have it already, anticipate needing it in the future, or are shopping for it right now during open enrollment, this episode will help you understand what the options are and how you can make an affordable and informed decision. My guest today, Daniel Dacquisto, was super thorough and helpful in breaking down everything you’ll w...
Nov 16, 2022•33 min
A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at musicstudiostartup.com/episode000-Fall-2022.
Nov 09, 2022•2 min
A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/snapshot010.
Aug 17, 2022•13 min
Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Christina Whitlock. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStart...
Aug 10, 2022•15 min
Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Shelly Davis. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com...
Aug 03, 2022•17 min
Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Amy Elmore. Here's Amy's snapshot. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at M...
Jul 27, 2022•15 min
Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Hannah Graf. Here’s Hannah's snapshot. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found ...
Jul 20, 2022•10 min
Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Amy Chaplin. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/...
Jul 13, 2022•14 min
We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Steven Potts, owner of Pottshouse Music. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStud...
Jul 06, 2022•11 min
Welcome back! We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Abigail Proffitt. Here’s Abigail’s snapshot: A full transcript and resources from this episode can be ...
Jun 29, 2022•10 min
Summary We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Candace Hamm, owner of Candace Hamm Piano Studio. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be f...
Jun 22, 2022•10 min
We’re doing a special series on the podcast this summer called Studio Snapshots. Rather than the in-depth, process-oriented interviews you’re used to hearing, these rapid-fire interviews give us a glimpse in a guest’s studio at a moment in time. They’re part reflection, part anticipation of the future, and fully a celebration of where these teachers are today. Today I’m talking to Ken Thompson, owner of Musical Arts Center of San Antonio. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be ...
Jun 15, 2022•13 min
It’s that time of year again! Time for the summer cohort of Business Building 101. Here’s what a piano teacher, Sophie, says about the course: "The Business Building 101 course was EXACTLY what I was looking for when I wanted to find a way to make my piano studio official. From the moment I signed up, I felt that Andrea was right there to hold my hand throughout the entire course. Her positive and engaging approach allowed me to feel welcome to inquire about any aspect of building my piano studi...
Jun 08, 2022•4 min
I have winners to announce! This week the judges made their final decisions to select the grant competition finalists and grand prize winner. Thanks to the following sponsors for making this year’s grant competition possible: Duet studio management system, Alamo Music Center, Cascade Method, Dynamic Doodle Co., and Virtual Piano Studio. I’ll be announcing those winners on the podcast and also sharing a mini interview with a teacher who has a unique niche and studio mission. Find the show notes a...
Jun 01, 2022•18 min
With the school year coming to a close, I thought this would be a helpful time to talk about how I reset my schedule in times of transition. I’m not talking about goal-setting today, although that might also be part of the “reset” process. What I’m talking about today is more about how I plan my days and weeks to create a rhythm in my life that is conducive to working on those goals. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode103. Business Bui...
May 25, 2022•9 min
May 18, 2022•2 min
Today’s episode was prompted by questions I get from newly-graduated or soon-to-be graduated music majors who are just getting ready to launch their studios and want to know how to get started from nothing. A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode102. Get your application in for the $1,000 Studio Launch Grant competition ! Deadline: May 15
May 11, 2022•7 min
Today’s mini interview is with Scarlette Kerr, a teacher who went from having a very part-time studio while in grad school to building a strong student roster within seven months, even with COVID happening. We talk about being a musician AND business owner, time management, and self-promotion. Scarlette also happens to be the winner of the startup grant we awarded back in May 2020. Find the show notes and resources mentioned in this episode at musicstudiostartup.com/mini002rebroadcast Studio Lau...
May 04, 2022•22 min
A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode101. Apply Today: $1,000 Studio Launch Grant Course: Business Building 101 for Music Teachers
Apr 27, 2022•10 min
Hi! It’s spring break here at Music Studio Startup headquarters, so I’m just jumping on the mic to give you some details on the 2022 studio launch grant competition . This program is for new and newish teachers who have been in business for fewer than three years. If this describes you - I hope you’ll apply. If it's not, I hope you’ll share this with anyone you know - a former student, your MTNA group, or your social media friends and followers. We’re all about helping teachers launch successful...
Apr 20, 2022•3 min
