Music Lessons for All Ages

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tania Iris Barreto, founder of Musician Now LLC, located in Laconia, NH, USA.

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

Musician Now is a music studio in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire where we teach ages Kindergarten through high school and adults how to learn and play instruments, and understand music theory in a simple way, to lead them to play their favorite songs. We are also a Christian Music Academy where we teach people in the church how to play an instrument and be in the worship team/music department in their local church.

Tell us about yourself

Musician Now was first birth from the need for musicians in the church. My father was a pastor, and I remember one day, he bought a drum set, a bass guitar, and some mics and said from the pulpit, "If anyone wants to learn an instrument to be on the worship team, I will teach you." Some people came after church to learn, and the worship team was created. That shocked me because I thought being a musician was just a gift some people get. But seeing that my father, who didn't get a full education in music, was able to teach people how to play instruments made me realize it's how you teach people and motivate them to achieve the goal of making people musicians. I have always wanted to be a music teacher, but life happened that I couldn't finish my degree. I know my music theory, I know how to read music, I know how to play instruments professionally, and I've played in many bands, but the "degree" wasn't there. That discouraged me until the need to teach people was there. So I came out of my comfort zone and started to teach online during the pandemic in 2020. My student list was growing from children to adults, and I took the leap of faith of opening my first location in Laconia, New Hampshire. What motivates me each day is seeing my students gain an understanding of music and seeing them happy that they CAN play their instruments.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is having this business for three years now, in 2023. I can't believe that I can actually maintain a business, do what I love, and make my students happy.

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

One of the hardest things that come along with being a business owner is doing everything yourself and not having enough money for everything you can ever want. Some people take out loans to start a business. Not me; I entered with $0 and grew everything from there.

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

The top 3 tips I would give to anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business today are:

JUST START. So many businesses are not created because people are looking for approval from others to make sure it's the right thing to do. You never know until you start.
FULFILL A NEED. When it comes to running a business, it's all about fulfilling a need for people, not for yourself. I know the idea of business is to generate profit, but the idea of business isn't for you but to help others. If you are selfish, you are going to lose money. When you understand how you can help others, that's when people will trade money for your expertise to help their problem.
NEVER GIVE UP. I know that this statement is used everywhere, but I am going to be honest with you. I have many times tried to give up in my first year. I started with $0, as I mentioned, and I didn't know ANYTHING about business. It was a slow start for my business, and I wanted to just keep it a small thing to make a little money for myself, fulfilling people's needs to learn music. But I wanted to succeed, so I started to listen to podcasts, read books, talk to other people, and even get a business coach.
(Bonus) There are sources out there that can help you achieve anything. And having a business coach helps to bring accountability and ideas from a different perspective.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://musiciannow.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciannow/

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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