Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in music education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Glory St. Germain, Founder and CEO of Ultimate Music Theory, located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

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

Our customers are music teachers from around the world. Ultimate Music Theory was founded on December 1, 2008. The Ultimate Music Theory Program has a proven step-by-step system that provides music teachers and students with the best music educational materials through the Ultimate Music Theory Workbook Series, Online Courses, UMT Membership & UMT App.

I'm a TEDx Speaker, International Bestselling Author of 50+ Ultimate Music Theory Books & The Power of WHY Musicians Series. Host of Global Music Teachers Summits, Expert Coach & Creator of the UMTC Elite Educator Program.

I'm the music theory expert! I bring remarkably successful teaching experience to the development of the Ultimate Music Theory Program through the following:

  • Ultimate Music Theory Workbook & App Program
  • Ultimate Music Theory Teachers Membership and
  • UMTC Elite Educator Program & UMT Certification Course

I'm a thought leader and have shared the Women Rocking Business stage with Sage Lavine, speaking & inspiring thousands of women leaders & entrepreneurs. I am also a Neuro-Linguistic Practitioner (NLP), which I incorporate into my teacher training. I have held positions in many music teacher organizations and associations.

My passion for teaching excellence sets a new standard of achievement in Music Theory Education - helping teachers Elevate their Income, Impact their Teaching and Grow their Expert Music Teaching Business in the UMTC Elite Educator Program. My motto is "Teach with Passion!"

Tell us about yourself

I’m the eccentric music teacher who loves peanut butter with my coffee (don’t judge!) and dreams of driving my someday “candy apple red mustang convertible” from Vancouver down the coast to LA… top down all the way!

I started teaching at the age of 16 because I wanted to earn enough money to buy a car. I ended up with 35 students ranging from young children to adults. I loved seeing the absolute joy in their eyes when they learned a new piece of music. It turns out you can make more money teaching music than working at the local Dairy Queen. (I was the only one out of my friends with a car!) But, I STILL wasn't comfortable about knowing how to teach music theory! Every time I attempted to teach theory, I walked away frustrated, confused, and embarrassed, and I had NO IDEA where to find the answers.

As I sat in on my young daughter Sherry's theory class, the language was “technical” and not related to the music itself. There were no games and laughter – just this feeling of getting this theory done and DON’T YOU DARE have fun!

Up to this point in my piano teaching studio, I didn’t have the confidence to even teach theory. I even sent students to a different teacher for their theory lessons because I loved my students and wanted the best possible education for them. I knew that when it came to theory, I couldn’t give them the best.

I finally learned theory when a young student begged me to teach her theory. Her exact words… “Miss Glory, I know you don’t know anything about theory, but if you are willing to learn, I would love it if you would teach me.” And so my journey began... little did I know this conversation would one day become the beginning of my creation of the Ultimate Music Theory Certification Elite Educator Program.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishments as a business owner are writing over 50 books, becoming an international best-selling author, two TEDx Talks, and creating the Ultimate Music Theory Certification Elite Educator Program for teachers worldwide.

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

Strategic planning, big picture vision, and being a thought leader in the industry while building my Ultimate Music Theory Dream Team to support our vision of enriching lives through music education.

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

Top 3 tips for business profitability:

  1. MINDSET: How to INCREASE CONFIDENCE - Learn what techniques you are missing.
  2. STRATEGIES: STRATEGIC PLANNING - Improve productivity with accountability.
  3. TOOLS: MAXIMIZE PROFITABILITY - Create goals with clarity of purpose.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My vision for Ultimate Music Theory is to help music teachers elevate their income, impact their teaching, and grow their expert music teaching business with confidence and clarity so that they can become ultimate music theory certified teachers and teach with passion, purpose, and profitability.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ultimatemusictheory.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloryStGermain
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ultimate_music_theory/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/umtheory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glorystgermain/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ultimatemusictheory

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.