Business Resources Library

Who wants to be an entrepreneur? It’s possible! Especially if you start small and let your passion, curiosity, and creativity guide your journey. Just ask these enterprising teachers I recently met at the Entrepreneurs Corner.

The notion of “success” as an artist has always been difficult to define. As opportunities have simultaneously expanded through global connectivity and shrunk through an influx of competitive graduates, it has become increasingly difficult to set parameters. Today, we see a diverse landscape in which the portfolio musician can thrive—one that weaves together performing, teaching, entrepreneurship, administration, community impact work, and beyond.

There are countless rewards to self-employment and running your own business, with flexibility often topping the list. However, modern business ownership requires wearing more hats than ever: recruiter, marketer, public relations representative, social media creator, newsletter writer, and the list goes on. Oh, and of course, let's not forget TEACHER—the core role that brought us here in the first place!

Safety is foundational to effective music teaching. Explore best practices for creating transparent, professional studio environments that protect students, support teachers, and foster lasting trust.

David Cutler’s 'The Savvy Musician 2.0' is one of the most valuable resources available to aspiring musical artists today. With clarity and candor, Cutler outlines what truly matters, unpacking industry standards using real-world examples and showing exactly what it takes to share your work while building a fulfilling artistic life.

Let's talk about volunteering as a teacher. And before you roll your eyes or start feeling guilty or think I can't do this . . . don't worry, this is not a guilt trip, I promise. I've been on both sides—seasons where I couldn't give a thing, and seasons where I've said yes to way more than I should have. And honestly, both have taught me something incredibly important.

As more families turn to AI tools and Google Maps to find piano teachers, having a website is no longer enough—it needs to be discoverable. Learn four simple SEO updates that can help search engines and AI understand your studio and connect you with prospective students. These quick, actionable tips can improve your online visibility without requiring advanced technical knowledge.

Increasingly, retention is less about what happens during the lesson—and more about how students feel about being part of your studio. Simple group experiences can increase connection, strengthen engagement, and keep students enrolled longer.

This issue’s featured entrepreneur is Leila Viss. Many know her as an independent teacher with endless creative ideas, which she shares through online courses, workshops, her newsletter, and conference sessions. Watch her video here to hear her story. Or keep reading for her story in her own words . . .

A thriving studio regularly evaluates its mission and operations, including aspects that inevitably change over time. We can’t escape taxes and insurance! And then there are life changes, including retirement. Often the answers will change as the studio evolves through start-up, growth, maturity, and succession planning. Let’s explore five essential questions that an independent studio owner (or any business) should never stop asking.