Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in training and education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lane Murchison, Co-Founder, and CEO of Bird School of Music, located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I founded Bird School of Music and Bird Records in San Francisco. My goal was to offer instruction and performance opportunities for children and adults in a fun, supportive, technology-rich environment. Our customers are music students of all ages, recording clients, and artists/songwriters seeking to grow their music brands and fan bases.
Tell us about yourself
I wanted to be a successful musician with a career full of music, enjoyment, and longevity. I wanted to create a space where I could bring all of my skills together and various revenue streams under one roof. I enjoy creating, teaching, producing, and playing music, as well as gigging. I also enjoy business and leadership. My greatest motivator is serving the people that show up to work each day at the studio and our clients.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am still loving it after all of these years and continue learning so much each day from it. Longevity and health in a retail business beyond seven years is rare. We are about to hit our eighteenth year in business! Bird School of Music is almost a 100% word-of-mouth business, and I think that is a huge accomplishment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Turnover with staff and clients has been difficult. It’s inevitable that no matter how good you are, there will always be turnover, but it never gets easier.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don’t let your lack of skills hold you back. You will learn on the job quickly.
- Know who you are and what matters to you. Bring it to your business with the highest integrity. You are your business. If it sucks, change things up and work harder.
- Have a plan. At the very minimum, know your worst-case, middle case and best-case numbers in terms of sales and expenses.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bird-sf.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdsf/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdsf/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/birdsf
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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