Youth Empowerment Through Music

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Emma G., Founder of Emma G Music LLC., located in Chevy Chase, MD, USA.

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

My main business is called Emma G Music, where I work as a musician, singer/songwriter, and keynote speaker: combining both speaking and music together to deliver motivating and inspiring content that hits home for audiences in multiple ways. Under my main business, however, I also run YES Youth Empowerment through Songwriting coaching - where I help parents reconnect with their teenagers and teenagers reconnect with themselves using the power of music and songwriting.

Tell us about yourself

I was born singing and writing my own songs. To this day, I believe it's predominantly because I was born with a health condition called hydrocephalus, for which I've had ten brain surgeries - and 24 surgeries in total.

Music and songwriting not only helped me process my own personal trauma but it gave - and still gives - me a voice to connect with my community, my peers, and myself.

When you add hydrocephalus to the, unfortunately, "normal" experience of being a young woman, however, I was also exposed to multiple traumatic events as a teenager. After a particularly rough year when I was 19years old when my surrogate father died of alcohol abuse, my surrogate brother died from a diabetic complication, and my ex unlived himself... I decided I would do all I could - through music, youthwork, whatever - to help prevent another life from being taken unnecessarily.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

That's a really difficult question. On a personal level: the impact that I've already been able to have when it comes to helping people has been a blessing. I'm very proud of that work. However, I'm also incredibly grateful to have been able to perform on some incredible stages around the world and alongside some huge names. But on a business level? The fact that I've been able to thrive past the five-year mark and make it through the pandemic has been a huge accomplishment.

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

Remind myself every day that my business doesn't need to fit within the confines of other people's expectations of what a "business" should look like - especially as a musician/singer/songwriter. When people ask me what my performance style is, I often tell people that I combine the genres of Alanis Morrissette, Pink, Adele, and Alicia Keys... and mix it with the motivation and inspiration of speakers like Brene Brown, Mel Robbins, Oprah, and Michelle Obama. That's not "normal," but - then again - neither is the world we live in.

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

Build a business plan. Get it out of your head and onto paper.
Set yourself specific, measurable, and time-bound goals - and write them down. You're absolutely allowed to change what these goals are, but whatever the goal is, you need to be clear on what it is / they are.
If it's not a hell yes, it's a hell no. You know what feels right for you - make sure you listen to that still, inner voice instead of the voices of those around you trying to dictate your life and business direction

Where can people find you and your business?

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

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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