By Patrick Fritz Our studio is offering a challenge to our students - “100 Days of Practice in a Row Challenge.” This means practicing “in a meaningful way” for 100 uninterrupted days with no break. The only allowable excuses for missing a day are illness, traveling outside of the country, or family emergency. I was inspired to try this idea by many other experienced teachers who challenge...
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How do you determine if you are meeting the needs of your customers? Periodically, I have created surveys for my students to evaluate my teaching and my studio programs. In the past, I have used the MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) assessment tools and have also developed custom surveys. I have usually handed out hard copies of assessments and it has been a very valuable tool. This is the first year I have used an online survey, though they have been around awhile!
Survey Monkey is an excellent option for creating an online survey. Sign up is easy and available through a Google or Facebook account if you prefer. Most importantly it is free! However, one drawback is that a free account only allows a total of ten questions. I did have to scale back on questions, but a shorter survey may be more likely to get filled out. If you want more questions and more services, you can upgrade your account for a monthly fee.
Since opening my studio almost 7 years ago, I’ve never taken more than 2.5 weeks off. But that is about to change, because I am entering an entirely new stage of my life: motherhood.
When I left my full-time job to become a full-time business owner and studio teacher, my husband and I discussed that the time would come at which point I’d need to take maternity leave. And of course, the downside to being self-employed is not having paid time off. I have to admit, giving up 3 months of my main source of income is a bit scary.
But as I know (and as everyone keeps reminding me), these first few months of my baby’s life are precious, and in the long run, I will be so happy to have made the financial sacrifice to spend every last moment with him.
I’ve spent the last few months preparing for my extended break, based on advice from other business owners and other strategies I’ve put into practice for shorter vacation periods.
Last month, I signed up for a 30 day yoga challenge at my local yoga studio to raise money for a music education non-profit. The idea is I pledge to go to class every day for 30 days straight and raise at least $10 a day from sponsors. I did the whole challenge (except for one sick day...
Read MoreIt’s that time of year where parents and students alike are gearing up for summer. Vacations are being planned, plane tickets booked and everyone looks forward with great anticipation to relaxation and good times. What most people are not gearing up for are summer music lessons. I’ve heard many arguments both for and against summer lessons. For some, you’re just going against the grain/trying to reinvent the...
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