In Pursuit of Success: Putting People First.

The start of a new year is always a great time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.  Seeing as we're nearly in the seventh week of 2020, I've had quite a few weeks to reflect and decided to record some of my contemplations here.  

I began teaching piano lessons at the age of 15.  It was somewhat of an accident: my friend (who was my neighbor*) wanted to learn to play "Moonlight Sonata" and I could teach her.  From there, my love of teaching grew and I soon found myself in a full-time teaching position at a local** music store.  The store, which primarily sold guitars and did rentals for middle school and high school band students, had about half a dozen studios in the back, one of which became my place of residence from 3:00-6:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 10:00-6:00 on Saturdays.  

Colleen, my friend and first piano student, and I.

My love of teaching prompted my choice of study in college: I was accepted into a music school with an amazing piano teacher and fabulous piano pedagogy*** teacher.  They taught me about playing techniques, the history of the music and its composers, and nearly every theoretical concept of music.  One lesson I found particularly interesting was the business of teaching piano.  I was taught how to schedule students, how to keep track of expenses, and the somewhat foreign concept of auditioning students.

We were taught to hold auditions for any potential students to make sure we were the right fit for them.  We were taught about learning styles and personality types and the very basic human concept that not every teacher is suited for every student.

Around this same time, the music store where I taught was bought out by a different family.  The family purchasing it were very successful business owners and soon after the purchase, all of the teachers and staff were brought together for a pep-talk.  We discussed questions, exchanged ideas, and heard some instructions from the new owner that blew.me.away.  Mind you, this was over 15 years ago, so I will not state direct quotes, but here's the gist of it:

You don't get along with the student?  So what!  You have a problem with them or their parents?  Who cares?  We're going to fill your schedules and give you as many students as possible!  You know why?  Because their parents write the checks.  So the next time you have an issue with the student, just smile and accept the check.

I.was.shocked.  Wasn't I being taught by successful college professors that this was exactly what we DIDN'T do?  That was a turning point in my teaching career: I decided right there what type of teacher I wanted to be: the type of teacher who did what was best for her students, not what was best for her pocketbook. 

Miss Naylor, my friend and college piano professor, and I.

Over the years, I've had opportunities to put this into action. From referring top, award-winning students to teachers with greater teaching ability to telling children who wanted to take with me that I didn't feel I was the best fit for them.  They're never easy discussions to have, but I have never regretted one of them.  In the end, I knew in my heart that I was doing what was my absolute best for the student.

Fast forward 20 years:  I am still teaching piano lessons and, as many of you know, have recently earned my Georgia Real Estate license.  I signed on with Harry Norman Realtors in June 2019 and have loved every single bit of it.  It has been a very slow learning process but along the way I've kept the same matra: put people first.  Do what is in THEIR best interest.  Do the best you can for them.  I know this will look different in different situations, but I am confident that this is how I want to build my business.

Cyan, my friend and first client, and her daughter at their new home!

Happy New Year and may 2020 bring you and your family peace, love, health, happiness, and prosperity.

Thank you ever so much to CottonBro for the use of their gorgeous stock photos.

*The term neighbor is used very lightly here:  growing up in the country, "neighbors" were anyone within a 10-minute drive.  My friend fit that bill.

**This "local" music store was approximately 35-minutes away from my home.

***Piano Pedagogy is teaching private piano lessons as opposed to general music education.