Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Richie Russo, Founder of Rhythm and Russo, located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

Mainly I teach piano to students of all ages and levels, but I also play piano for private events.

Tell us about yourself

I started learning to play piano when I was 13 years old. After high school, I studied piano performance at college and then at The National Conservatory of Argentina. Back in high school, a parent of a friend of mine heard me play many times and asked me to teach piano for his music school. That was 26 years ago! After teaching at several schools of music and moving to Phoenix, AZ, I decided to build my own studio. With help from my good friend, I learned how to market myself. Now I'm pretty much fully booked Monday through Friday.

What I love most about teaching piano is being a part of a person's self-development. My approach to teaching piano is to take students on a journey to creating a lifetime of enjoyment of making music that also leads them to self-discovery. And that, for me, is the joy of teaching.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think my biggest accomplishment as a business owner is learning to be highly adaptable. As a teacher, we need to meet the student where they are in ability but also to communicate in ways he or she can understand. Another challenge as a business owner is being adaptable with scheduling. Sometimes I need to be very creative to find days and times for some very busy students.

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

One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is working with so many kinds of people and meeting their needs both musically and with scheduling. And you can't forget about money management and taxes. There's always that!

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

I think the first tip or advice I'd give someone who wants to start, run and grow a business is to be persistent. Sometimes things don't always work out the way you want them to. Some may call that failure, but I call that a learning opportunity. Keep at it, and never stop learning! The second is to be knowledgeable and adaptable to changes in their market. Lastly, go for it and continue to believe in yourself, your ideas, and your product or service.

Where can people find you and your business?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhythmandrusso
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythm_n_russo/

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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