Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Danielle Hoffman, owner of Spark Music, LLC, located in Thornton, CO, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I teach private music lessons and group classes for all ages. My customer is anyone who wants to learn music or have music be a part of their day.
Tell us about yourself
I knew I wanted to do something music-related beginning in middle school. By the time I entered high school, I had my heart set on a degree in music education so I could teach music. I earned my Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Florida in 2011 and my Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2013. I started teaching music in private, charter, and public schools and I loved teaching music. Eventually, I wanted to leave the school system and grow my own company, so in 2019, I took my small studio full-time and had been growing it ever since. I love my students, and it is a joy to see them grow as musicians, and that motivates me daily.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My students are performing professionally, and they are making notable musical contributions to our community, and I look forward to seeing one of them on television and YouTube soon. Having the freedom to determine how to create and execute highly individualized curriculums for my students' greatest benefit has really been my greatest asset. Growing my business to 50+ private students and numerous group classes, completely filling my schedule, has been my biggest accomplishment from a business perspective.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
I don't have much experience with advertising or social media, so I'm often researching ways to draw in new business since I don't have a business degree of any kind and haven't taken more than one or two business courses. Finding the courage to admit you don't know something is hard but highly beneficial to your business--it will help you find resources to move forward and grow regardless of what you might not know when you first start.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't give up.
- Don't start until you've done the research. Have a clear goal and a straightforward way to state your intention for your business.
- Growth can be slow at times, but as long as it's growing, be proud.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://sparkmusiclessons.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sparkcolorado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkcolorado/
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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