In the South Island of New Zealand, a remarkable story of entrepreneurship, passion, and perseverance has unfolded. Kelly Kennedy, a mother of two and once a piano teacher with just 25 students in her spare bedroom, has transformed her modest beginnings into a music school empire. Today, the Kennedy School of Music boasts 700 students, 15 staff members, and a reach that extends to 14 schools in the local area.

A Vision Born from Necessity 

Kelly's journey began with the birth of her first child. Needing someone to teach her students during her maternity leave, she enlisted the help of musical friends. This simple act of delegation became the catalyst for what would evolve into a full-fledged music school.

"I started my music school because I noticed a gap in the market," Kelly explains, her eyes lighting up with passion. "There was a need for contemporary music education that brought children together in small groups, offering performance opportunities and band programs. ...

Running a music school involves juggling a multitude of tasks, from scheduling lessons to billing and keeping in touch with students and parents. Recently, at an industry conference, an audience member posed a burning question: "What's the best software combo for music school success?" Expert Nick shared his invaluable insights on this topic. Let’s explore his recommendations and discover how you can transform your music school's operations with the right software tools.

Summary of the Clip

Nick addressed the crucial question of finding the perfect software combination for managing a music school. He warned against using all-in-one solutions, which often end up being mediocre at everything. Instead, he emphasized the importance of specialized tools for different stages of the student journey. Nick explained his school's approach, using distinct software for lead generation and student management to achieve optimal results.

Master Your Music School Operations with the Right Softwa...

When is it Okay to Give Up? - A Music Teacher's Perspective

Hey there, music lovers! Today, I want to discuss a tough topic that many music teachers and music school owners grapple with: when is it okay to give up? As a successful music school owner myself, I want to offer some insights and advice on this matter.

Now, I must admit that this vlog is probably the hardest one I've ever had to record. I've gone through multiple takes and decided to freestyle it, speaking to you as if we're having a face-to-face conversation. So, bear with me as I tackle this honest and challenging topic.

First off, let's clarify the difference between giving up and the situations I'll be discussing today. Giving up is simply wanting to quit because things are hard or you desire an easier path. However, the scenarios I'll be addressing are not about giving up. Instead, they involve changes in life circumstances, new opportunities, and positive steps forward.

Reasons to Consider Moving On

Here are five ...

Building Your Team: The Key to Success

Hey there, music lovers! Today, I want to share with you some insights about hiring new tutors and building your team. As a business owner, finding the right people who align with your values and can represent your brand well is crucial. Not only will they help your business thrive, but they will also inspire and mentor the next generation of insanely awesome musicians.

Getting the Right People Quickly

When it comes to hiring for your music school, you want to find individuals who are not only talented but also a great fit for your team. So, how can you ensure that you get the right people quickly? One effective strategy is to leverage the recommendations of your current tutors.

Ask your tutors for their suggestions on potential candidates who would be a good fit for your team. By involving your current tutors in the hiring process, you tap into their network and gain access to qualified individuals who have already been vouched for by someone...

Are Virtual Assistants a Good Idea for Music Schools?

Hey there, welcome back to the #BAMSQUAD blog! Today, I want to dive into a topic that may be a bit controversial, but it's an important one to discuss: virtual assistants (VAs). If you're unfamiliar with the term, a virtual assistant is someone who works remotely, providing assistance to businesses through online communication channels. Now, the question is whether or not VAs are a good idea for music schools. Let's explore my opinion on this matter.

Before I share my thoughts, it's worth mentioning that I have indeed utilized VAs for a different part of my business, specifically the digital side. For tasks that are repetitive, simple, and don't require much brainpower, hiring a VA can be a cost-effective solution. However, when it comes to the music teaching business and building a music school, my stance is different.

One of the key aspects of building a successful music school is creating a team and fostering a team culture. ...

How to Get Awesome Student Testimonial Videos

Welcome back to my vlog! Today, I want to talk about how to get a really awesome student testimonial video for your music teaching business. Student testimonial videos are absolute gold for building your music teaching business. You can share them on social media, Facebook, YouTube, and your website (with permission, of course). But, getting good ones can be challenging. Kids aren't always comfortable on camera, so it can be difficult to get a natural and genuine interview. Don't worry, though, I've got some tips for you on how to get great video interviews from students.

1. Start with non-music related questions

The first tip is to make sure you start with a whole bunch of non-music related questions. Ask them fun and funny stuff just to get them in the zone. For example, you can ask them about their favorite food, where they would go on a holiday, what they would buy if they won the lottery, or what food they would eat for the rest of ...

How to Increase Revenue in Your Music Lesson Business

Hey there! Welcome back to my blog. Today, I want to share with you a valuable tip on how you can get your students to spend more money with you throughout the year. It's all about making sure that money ends up in your pockets and not someone else's. So, let's dive right in!

Just recently, I received my dream Christmas present from my wife - a swimming pool. It has been absolutely amazing, especially with the scorching hot weather we've been having here in New Zealand. But here's the thing, when I bought the pool, I didn't realize all the extra things I needed for it. As I was going through the purchasing process, the customer service person kept suggesting additional items that I might need. And in the heat of the moment, I ended up spending a lot more money than I initially planned.

Now, you might be wondering, how does this relate to your music lesson business? Well, it's all about the timing and opportunity to upsell. When y...

From Solo Tutor to Academy Owner: 10 Steps to Success

So how do you go from a solo tutor to an academy owner? Well, I'm going to show you in 10 steps today, and this is something that I did do. I went from university teaching drums privately to pay my way and then after university decided, hey, I want to build a music school so I started with my 30 students and over 11 years grew it to 2,000 and a team of 50 plus people and all sorts of other cool crazy things.

Now before I get into the 10 steps, if you haven't checked out buildamusicschool.com, go over there and there is a free master class where I show you that whole journey and some of the best lessons and tips that I wished I would have known and you can apply them to your studio no matter what level you're at. You'll find it really helpful even if you don't want to build a massive school and you just want to improve your solo teaching business, you'll find that really valuable. So go check that out at buildamusicschool.com.

Ste...

3 Pro Tips for Marketing Music Lessons

Hey there, it's great to have you here! In this video, I want to talk to you about three pro tips for marketing music lessons, especially during these crazy times. As you probably know, the world has gone online due to the pandemic, which means that music teachers and studio owners are now marketing to the whole world, not just their local communities. This has made it even harder to attract new students. But don't worry, I've got some top tips that can help you stay ahead of the game and grow your studio. Let's dive in!

Tip #1: Create Launch-Type Deals

Instead of having a standard offer or deal that is always available, consider creating launch-type deals that are only available for a specific period of time. This creates a sense of urgency and gives people a reason to sign up right then and there. For example, you could offer a free movie ticket or a free large pizza when someone signs up for lessons during a certain month. Get creative and t...

10 Fatal Flaws Holding Back 96% of Studio Owners

Hey there! In this video, I want to talk to you about the 10 fatal flaws that I see holding back 96% of studio owners. Now, I know this might sound negative, but bear with me. The purpose of this video is not to bring you down, but to help you identify these flaws and make the necessary changes. These are the most common issues that I have observed holding people back, and it's not their fault. They simply haven't been trained in these areas. So, grab a pen and paper, and let's dive into this list.

Mindset: The Number One Flaw

The first flaw that I see all the time is mindset. Many studio owners have various mindset issues that hinder their progress. These issues include limiting beliefs such as thinking they can only earn a certain amount as a music teacher or believing that no one would work with them because people can do it themselves. These are just stories we tell ourselves that aren't true. Mindset is one of the biggest obstacl...