My conversation today is the second in a set of two interviews from first-time parents talking about how they planned for parental leave. In both, the episode with Renee Shaw Nutwell and today’s episode with Jeremy Eikenberry, we talk about the goals these teachers had for their students and studios during their leave, how they attempted to plan for something that they didn't have full control over, how their plans played out in real life, how they transitioned back into teaching, and what they learned from the experience.

Our discussion centers around taking parental leave after the birth of a child, but the insights and takeaways translate to taking extended leave from a studio for any reason: vacation, sabbatical, health reasons, whatever.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode147.

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It’s time for another quarterly check-in! Today I’m joined by Cindy Hsu, Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Music Studio Startup and we’re talking about our (very full!) Q1 and what we’re looking forward to in Q2.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode146.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode146.

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Today we’re talking about all things non-profit management. My guest, Erin Parkes, founder of the Lotus Centre shares so many insights from her experiences working with a board of directors, crafting effective messaging for different stakeholders, managing a budget, and even dealing with burnout. All while keeping the mission of her organization front and center.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode145.

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With the MTNA conference in March, I guess you could say I’ve been on a conference kick. We talked about Networking with Stephanie Bonte-Lebair in Episode 141, I shared my takeaways from MTNA in Episode 142, and then last week I did a live Networking Debrief workshop with a group of teachers and, together, we went through our own lists of people we want to build deeper relationships with and figured out next steps. (Teachers on the call identified some really neat opportunities that have the potential to seriously impact their businesses.)

Today we’re covering another conference-related topic: how to get started speaking at conferences. My guest is one you’ve heard from before on the podcast - and maybe even heard present in person. Amy Chaplin has given over 35 presentations for state and national events and local teacher groups. Today she’s sharing with us some tips for writing proposals and getting accepted to speak at conferences.

Here’s my conversation with Amy.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode144.

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Today I’m joined by Jennifer Foxx, a teacher who has been blogging and creating curriculum and resources for music teachers for over a decade.

In our conversation, we talk about how she took the simplest route at first and started her business on Teachers Pay Teachers and has since strengthened her business by investing in platforms she owns, like her own website and email list. We also talk about the seasonality she experiences, how she thinks about pricing, and trends she has observed pre- and post-covid.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode143.

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Last week I was at the MTNA National conference in Atlanta. Georgia. It was a whirlwind - as conferences usually are - and I think I’m still absorbing everything.

I wanted to go over three things today: first - some personal reflections from MTNA, second - I want to share some of my business takeaways, and third - I want to invite you to a workshop next week.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode142.

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In my original interview with Stephanie, she talked about the role business networking played in the marketing of her business and she talked about it with such intentionality that I knew I wanted to learn more.

So today we’re talking about everything, from how to choose events to network at, how to prepare, how Stephanie makes the most of her time at an event, her follow-up routines, examples of weak and strong calls to action and more. Get your notepad ready because you’ll want to take notes.

If this topic of networking makes you uneasy, at least listen until you hear Stephanie’s definition of business networking. A lot of us have probably had an experience with someone who was “networking” that was so obnoxious that we found the very concept repulsive. I think Stephanie’s approach will be refreshingly different and one that most teachers can get excited about. People who are doing networking well are not obnoxious and you don’t have to become obnoxious - in fact, please don’t - to build your business through networking.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode141.

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Today’s conversation with Stephanie Bonte-Lebair is a rebroadcast of an early episode of Music Studio Startup that has always been a fan favorite.

Stephanie is a classically-trained opera singer turned voice/presentation/sales coach. This interview blurs the line between an entrepreneurial music teacher sharing the evolution of her voice studio and a communication expert sharing a mini sales workshop. It’s one you’ll want to listen to more than once!

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at MusicStudioStartup.com/episode140.

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Music Studio Business Building 101

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