Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sean Tooley, Founder of Fast-Forward Music Mentoring, located in Denver, CO, USA.

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

My business is called Fast-Forward Music Mentoring. My customers are mostly electronic music producers and DJs who want to accelerate their skillset/career to a professional/full-time level as quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Tell us about yourself

I started my business because I was already doing music production lessons on the side (while working full-time at a music company), and I felt like I could do more with my ability to teach. Every day, I am motivated by the incredible results that our students are able to achieve by working closely with our team of expert music mentors. It's breathtaking to see the drastic improvement they can make in such a short amount of time.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been reaching the level at which I can not only provide myself with a full-time career in the field that I love but I can also provide that same type of career to my very talented friends in the industry. To have come this far in just two years astonishes me.

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

The biggest challenge for me has been balancing the day-to-day business operations with the pursuit of my own music career. It has tested my ability to prioritize tasks and manage time like nothing else. I'm grateful for it because it has forced me to grow in so many ways.

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

  1. Stop putting it off. Stop thinking about it and decide once and for all if you believe in yourself enough to make it work. If you don't, put it out of your mind completely and stop dwelling on the idea. If you do, then do it. Get out of limbo because nothing gets accomplished there.
  2. Keep things as simple as possible. Many new entrepreneurs invest in tools they don't need to feel like they're further ahead than they really are. All this does is drain your bank account and take away from your profit margin, which is especially important to maximize in the early stages of any business.
  3. Don't be a workaholic. Take breaks. Understand that working "harder" and "longer" does not equal effectiveness and progress. More often, it leads to the opposite - burnout and mental health problems - which only make it take longer for you to achieve your vision. It's a marathon, not a sprint, so enjoy the process of growing and have fun on your path.
  4. Bonus: Invest in a coach or coaching program that can show you what to do so you don't have to make all the mistakes yourself. This will DRASTICALLY accelerate the growth of your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.fastforwardlessons.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealseantooley
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bassmusicmentor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-tooley-8446a48a/

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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