Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Duran Ritz, Owner of Duran Ritz Vancouver Drum Lessons, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

I teach people how to drum. From any starting point, beginner or advanced, I teach anyone that wants to get into drumming. I teach all ages and people. However, the majority of my customers tend to be adults and beginners.

I think my message resonates well with the folks that have always wanted to begin drum lessons but, for whatever reason, haven't started yet.

Tell us about yourself

I spent 5.5 years getting a degree in jazz studies from the University of North Texas. After that, I spent much of my time performing on stage. I had so much fun, but after many years of touring, I was looking for a change of pace that would keep me at home for longer.

I began dabbling in teaching and discovered that I enjoyed it. I realized that I have a unique perspective on drumming and education that is rarer than I initially thought. At first, I believed that anyone who plays drums was also teaching and that they were all doing things the same way.

But after teaching for a while, many of my students told me that they had never had a teacher give them instruction quite as I do and that they enjoyed the lessons more than previous teachers. It clicked that I have a unique set of skills:

  • A high amount of specific education.
  • Years of experience in my field.
  • The ability to explain things from an easy-to-understand perspective.

The greatest motivator for me as a teacher is seeing my students finally get something they've been working on. The joy on their faces and the feeling of accomplishment they get are truly amazing.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment with my business is that I have been operating for over six years now. I always worry that students will stop calling me every day, but I'm extremely proud and thankful that they continue to come back to this day.

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

For me, being too generous with my time. I like to give away free trial lessons or will give free lessons if a regular student is having a hard time coming up with the money for lessons. Music lessons, if approached the right way, are a high-margin business.

However, if you give up too much of your time for free, it can become exhausting and lowers your potential income to funnel back into the business.

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

  1. Just start somewhere. There are too many resources and courses, and researching every side hustle or business you could do will give you a headache.
  2. Just pick something that you're interested in and start. You'll have many years to try new things, research, refine, and improve what you're doing.
  3. Start somewhere and then do a little bit consistently every day. Consistency beats perfection always.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.duranritz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/duranritzdrums/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dritzbitz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/duranritz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duranritz/

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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