Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Patrice Peris, Founder of Patrice Peris Voice Studios, located in Westborough, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

My name is Patrice Peris, and I am the owner of Patrice Peris Voice Studios, which is a voice and artist development company specializing in contemporary and musical theater styles of singing. Essentially we are a one-stop shop for those who are looking to learn about how to use their voices and the business side of the music industry. Our singers have goals that vary from just wanting to sing better for the shower or being the best at karaoke to those who want to make singing a career.

Tell us about yourself

I started off as a solo artist and was taking lessons at a studio. Because of how well I was doing and excelling within the program, they offered me a teaching position. At first, I was hesitant to take the position, but it ended up being one of the best life decisions I've made. What I have discovered as a coach is that it has helped me to improve my own abilities because I have been able to work with hundreds of different artists and really learn and refine the do's and don't's when it comes to not only vocals but also the business side of the industry.

What led me to open my own business is that I found that I really wanted to be able to do things how I saw were best suited for individuals and myself. I ended up opening my own studio in 2014 and creating my program, "Learn to Sing Like the Pros," which has now evolved into a full artist development program, "The Artist Guide to the Music Industry." What motivates me is that I really love helping artists. There is no better feeling than helping someone demystify how to use their voice and gain their fullest potential properly. Or how to help them jump-start their career or see other ways they can utilize their potential. I know for myself and my other coach Whitney Doucet, we have been able to take people from the point of not knowing that they could ever really perform to the point of actually getting on stage and going on to making it a career.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

There isn't really one big accomplishment but rather an accumulation of things. When I was first opening, that in itself was a huge accomplishment for me. There were so many steps to make the business a reality. Since then, the business has been coming up on its 9-year mark, and that is a huge accomplishment for me. As a business owner, what has been huge for me in the past years has been coming into my own and really opening up to understanding and learning from others and then being able to take what I have learned about running a business and apply that to the field of the arts. Then going further to help artists use their skill sets and expand them to be able to monetize them and build careers. This whole journey is the biggest accomplishment for me. Once we hit one goal, it is on to the next one.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is not getting in your own way and thinking that you can do it all. As business owners, there tends to be a certain mentality that we need to do it all by ourselves, and I have been stuck there in the past. I found that outsourcing can be your greatest asset. It can be hard to accomplish everything by yourself, so even if you don't have a huge budget, just find ways to have others help you, whether it be an exchange of services or whatnot. If you're a small business and you're growing, you can't be afraid to bring other team members on.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Don't feel like you need to do it alone. Outsourcing to the right people can save you so much time and energy.
  2. Don't get so stuck in your ways that you don't look at how things are changing and implement those changes in your business. As social media and technology have grown and become more prominent, it is crucial to be able to adapt to those things. Don't change what's working for you, but don't be afraid to try or learn new things that could aid your business.
  3. Study the greats. Learn from those that are ahead of you, and don't be afraid to reach out to them or partner with people who can help you grow.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.patriceperisvoicestudios.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/patriceperismusic/
https://www.facebook.com/patriceperisvoicestudios/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/patriceperis/
https://www.instagram.com/patriceperisvoicestudios/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/patriceperis1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrice-peris-b704521b/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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