Canadian Guitar Virtuoso

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in musical education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Andrew Mah, a Canadian guitarist located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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

I provide music performance, instruction, music arranging, and audio engineering services in the Ottawa, Canada, area and abroad.

Tell us about yourself

I decided to become a professional musician when I was 12 years old. I have pursued music as a profession since my early 20's and, over the course, have done everything from busking to international concert hall touring, community group teaching, to university masterclasses. I still perform in everything from the humblest to the most prestigious venues regularly. As with many professional creative types, I am primarily motivated by a sense of being meant to do this, but I also enjoy the freelance musician lifestyle and establishing goals and following through to achieve them. I love to share my craft with others and the inherent meaning of helping others improve their lives in small ways.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think my biggest accomplishment is longevity. I've been a full-time professional artist and instructor for around 30 years now.

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

The most difficult thing as a freelance musician is the persistent uncertainty. There are cycles of feast and famine one needs to get accustomed to or at least learn to tolerate. Doing different and interesting things all the time and wondering how they might unfold is the good side of it, but being at the mercy of the marketplace can be a lot of stress. I think for vocations where the product is actually yourself, or something so personal that it feels like an extension of yourself, it is hard to keep straight on what is the business and what is not.

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

Always keep in mind that very few things in life are a meritocracy.
Build up your ability to tolerate uncertainty.
Tenaciously apply yourself to learning and remembering exactly what your business requires.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://andrewmah.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mahguitar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mahguitar/

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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