Instill Love & Appreciation for Music

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Rudin Lengo, Owner of Rudin's Piano Studio, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

My main business involves piano instruction. I primarily teach intermediate and advanced students and occasionally gifted young children. As part of the lessons, we work on piano technique as well as interpretation. This is in preparation for Royal Conservatory Exams, Festivals, Competitions, and University Auditions.

Tell us about yourself

I began teaching piano on a steadier basis after returning from New York, where I completed my Master's degree in Piano Performance. At the time, I was still an aspiring young pianist, creating a name for myself as a performer, and I wanted to supplement my performance schedule with some teaching. Before I knew it, I was completely in love with teaching. It has slowly shifted to become my main activity as a musician. It gives me great joy to see the students improve from week to week and to see how beneficial their musical training is to their development, both academically and socially.

The impact that a teacher can have on a student, especially when meeting them on a weekly basis for several years, is profound. It gives you an opportunity to help shape the next generation of musicians as well as music lovers, and to me, that knowledge is very special, and it inspires me to be the best teacher I can be. The love that I have for music is genuine and infectious, and if I can impart some of that to my students, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner has been in the amount of demand I now receive as a teacher. It is amazing to know that my clients value me so much that they are constantly recommending me to their friends and family. The result of such success, however, is that, at times, I have to turn down students. Thankfully I have a group of colleagues that I often pass them on to, and it becomes a win-win situation.

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

Time! There just isn't enough time in a day. I am quite a workaholic by nature, and often I find myself booking things left and right before realizing that I have no time to eat lunch (thankfully doesn't happen too often), or I realize that I have worked from morning until late into the evening. I am at a stage where the most precious thing in my life is my time, and I value it greatly, especially now that I have a family as well. This makes me extra motivated to be focused and productive when I work in a way that I wouldn't have achieved when I was younger.

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

Choose something you love and believe in.
Be persistent and patient.
Treat your clients as you would like to be treated yourself.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: http://www.rudinlengo.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RudinLengoPianist
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rudinpiano/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rudinpiano
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudin-lengo-833a2427/

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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