Expand Your Child's Curiosity & Creativity!

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicholas Marks, Founder of Classroom 88, located in Long Beach, CA, USA.

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

I teach piano lessons. I work with young children and some not-quite-as-young adults, and everyone in between. A majority of my students are beginners, though I work with all ability levels, including special needs.

Tell us about yourself

Music is a large part of my life. It stirs my emotions, transports me through time, speaks to me on a spiritual level, inspires me to action, introduces me to new cultures, reframes my worldview, challenges me to think more critically, and, well, I can go on and on. After teaching high school English for 8 years, I transitioned to teaching private piano lessons, which I now do full-time. The change has been great. Guiding others along their musical journey and sharing my knowledge and passion with them is very special and fulfilling.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Hmm, I'd like to squeeze in two.

Big Picture: I successfully transitioned to full-time self-employment. I balanced my private piano lessons with substitute teaching for two years. Now I have no time nor need for substituting. Reaching this stage required a lot of persistence and hard work.

Most Memorable: hosting my first piano recital. The families were so supportive. The students were so courageous. The venue was so generous. And I was so nervous! I couldn't have asked for a better night, and I truly believe that creating exciting, positive, long-lasting memories like the ones from that recital night is the most important thing I offer as a piano teacher.

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

For me, I sometimes struggle with imposter syndrome. I don't have a degree in music or any standout musical accolades. I'm very aware that my path to becoming a piano teacher is very non-traditional. Sometimes it feels like, 'I shouldn't be able to just quit my job and follow my dreams. This isn't fair. I didn't follow steps x, y, and z like all these other private music teachers. I'm cheating.'

But of course, I often remind myself that I am a certified (English) teacher with lots of teaching experience. I studied piano privately for 9 years and have performed and recorded music (even if that has been few and far between). I remind myself of those facts often. And sometimes, I take pride in my non-traditional route too. As time goes on, and as my students keep coming back and continue improving, I feel more and more pride as well. But, in a complicated, hard-to-explain way, the imposter syndrome doesn't fully go away either - it kind of just paradoxically coexists along with my pride.

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

Don't wait for the 'right time.' The 'right time is now.
Practice meditation or journaling or something that regularly allows you to reflect on your goals and your progress in a genuine and truthful manner.
Do things where making money is not the objective. I understand that making money is vital towards sustaining a new business and also quite challenging, but I believe setting aside space within your business endeavor that is independent from the bottom line is healthy. I believe it helps sustain your passion, helps you retain clarity on your purpose, and helps fuel your creativity.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.classroom88.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Classroom88
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/classroom88official/

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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