Every Successful Business Has a Business Plan.
That being said, I have to admit that when I began my home piano studio, I did not write out a formal business plan or even a startup plan! I did, however, create professional documents such as a studio policy, studio brochure, business cards, tuition statements, and many [...]

As a teaching artist and studio owner striving to learn the ropes of running a small business, I find it particularly challenging when faced with financial obligations such as creating a budget. But it is a task that must be done and the simpler I can keep it, the better!

In 2009 I had the pleasure of hearing Beth Gigante Klingenstein, author of The Independent Piano Teacher’s Studio Handbook, speak on the question of “Who’s in Charge of Your Studio?” at the University of St. Thomas Summer Music Institute. The main message I took away from her workshop was that if we as studio [...]

I own and operate a small piano studio out of my home, and the summertime is always a bit of a financial struggle for me.
When I took piano lessons growing up, we always continued our lessons during the summer.  They were a bit more sporadic, since my teacher usually took a vacation and my family [...]

Although your studio may be based on furthering artistic pursuits, a studio is a business, and a good part of its success depends on being realistic about this.  I taught and helped manage one music school where the board of directors hired an orchestra conductor with fundraising expertise as the school’s director.  Unfortunately, she’d had [...]

Running a teaching studio is a great service.  Collecting teachers, offering classes and lessons, coordinating schedules, events and policies — it makes total sense to organize it all as efficiently as possible.
But it’s important to keep in mind how you decide to organize it all.  There are others who want to know, namely, the IRS [...]

Inventory is a part of many studio operations. Knowing more about retailing can help your bottom line. In many cases your students need supplies, uniforms or equipment. Let’s  focus on ways to control overhead and maximize use of finances.
Outsource entirely
It’s ideal to have a local vendor willing to stock items. How can you help build [...]