Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lusiana Lukman and Wanda Bussiere, Executive Founding Directors of Classical Music Conservatory, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
CMC is a neighborhood music school located in the Roncesvalles - Parkdale - High Park area in Toronto, housed in a beautiful, clean and welcoming century old home on Roncesvalles. We offer online and in-person music lessons and courses with over 30 professional and caring teachers on our faculty, teaching all genres of music for all levels including RCM and university preparation, from beginners to advanced students, for children and adults alike. Aside from one-on-one lessons for all ages, we offer introductory music classes for 3-6 year olds, preparing them for private lessons, with the ultimate goal for them to experience the joy of music.
Tell us about yourself. For example, what first got you started working on your business, and what motivates you each day to do what you do?
Lusiana started CMC back in 1997 while still attending the University of Toronto working towards her Master’s degree in Composition. There were many compelling reasons that made her want to start her own music school in Toronto. The more practical reasons were: (1) Lusiana was already teaching 40 students at her home studio and more than a handful of her students were at a high enough level to need harmony and history lessons too, and she simply could not fit them in her schedule on top of being a full time student; (2) Lusiana knew quite a number of great fellow musicians at U of T who were also her friends, not yet able to find good work in the music field, and wanted to give them jobs since she knew they would make great teachers, and (3) Lusiana also saw the need of having a high quality music school, pre-university level with great teachers and a school director who would care a great deal for the students, teachers and oversee everyone’s progress. Wanda joined her in 2005 as Co-Director and they’ve been partners in business and in life ever since.
What motivates Lusiana and Wanda each day is that they both care a great deal about the students, teachers and admin team at CMC. They are parents too, and they want to see students thrive in music, and in their lives. They are passionate about helping others do well and continue to improve their lives. They know some people simply see music as a hobby, but the impact of learning how to play an instrument or to sing well, is so much more than that. It changes you as a person, it grows your brain cells and connections, and it heals your soul. As the saying goes “Life without music would be a mistake” - Friedrich Nietzsche.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
We've helped a lot of students in the last 25 years to reach their musical goals. We've had students go on to become professional, successful musicians which is amazing, but for our students to be able to have music as a form of expression, healing and comfort, and to love music for life, is just as important. We now even have second generation students who are bringing their kids to CMC for lessons!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Having to wear all 'hats', and do everything for the business 7 days a week. We have an amazing team working with us, but ultimately, the buck stops here!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Tip #1: Triple or quadruple your budget, as it always costs more than you think.
Tip #2: Be prepared to work at your business for at least 5 - 10 years to make it.
Tip #3: Never give up and get professional help along the way!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://cmccanada.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cmccanada97/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmccanada97/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CMCCanada97
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cmccanada97/
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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