We recently sat down with voice teacher and blogger, Milena Thomas to discuss the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and being honest (with oneself and one’s clients).
What is your business?
My business is The Voice Works Studio, LLC
What’s the most important thing a company can do to stay competitive?
Stay honest. Stay transparent. I think that as much as clients want to be treated well and have a professional interaction, they want to know and trust their service providers on a personal level. For example, as a voice teacher and artist business coach I do not put on a front that I know all the answers and have never struggled as a singer, I will share my personal experiences if I think they will help a client, even at the “risk” of appearing “unprofessional.” I put those in quotations because it is silly to think you cannot be honest with people and not maintain a professional relationship. Also, if a client needs a solution that I do not have an answer to, I will tell them I have to do some research, or refer them to someone I think can help.
Share with us one advantage you’ve recently experienced as a small business?
I have total control over my business operations, schedule, and how I approach my craft. I refer only to people I trust and can be very picky about who I work with professionally.
Has the digital landscape changed your business model and or practices?
Absolutely! I love that I teach voice lessons via Skype to a student in Canada sitting my home studio. I love that I recently got an email from a young singer in Africa looking for advice about her local singing competition. I love that my websites and blogs can evolve and change as I do, and as my business model changes. I love that encouraging students to explore social media as one leg of their personal business plans can be effective ways to communicate and market themselves. For the entrepreneur just starting out, there are so many low-cost ways to try out different things on the web before committing considerable capital to a business plan.
What is your business recognized for and how does you differ from your competitors?
My business is recognized for providing a holistic approach to music instruction – in that I make sure my students are not just taking voice lessons with no discernible goal in mind. Whether they are professionals or hobbyists, I make business (or volunteering if they don’t feel like making money) goals a part of lessons, so that there is a purpose beyond singing pretty songs. I find that people will lose interest if there is no greater reason for their studies.
Is social media a “four letter word” when it comes to your business?
If that four letter word spells L-O-V-E, then yes! I tend to approach social media in a very relaxed way though. I used to get really worked up and worried about doing everything “right.” Then I stopped that. Now I have fun. I don’t look at any numbers related to my online activity. It makes me squirrely.
The current recession has created and surge of small business owners, do you feel this is the way things will remain after things “get better”?
I don’t think so. I do believe that many of the small business owners will combine forces or sell their companies when the economic landscape improves. As much as the life of an entrepreneur is exciting, many people are doing it just to survive right now. I think most personalities like the stability of corporate-style work. But I do think the changes we see now will significantly shift what corporate-style looks like. In particular to the honesty/transparency mentioned above. Consumers are sick of being taken advantage of.
Tags: artist, local, milena thomas, voice teacher
Teaching voice lessons over Skype! Do you think this could work for a teacher giving lessons for music instruments or just for voice lessons? I find this an innovative approach and a good way to keep the arts alive.