This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
I did this at the edge of middle school, so you definitely can, too
My parents truly did come through for me in every way. Thank you, mom and dad. You all rock. I will be eternally grateful to them for instilling a strong sense of entrepreneurship, business acumen, and financial exposure.
I had already taken piano lessons at that point for about ten years. Was I an expert? H*ll no, but I had enough skills to teach various levels of piano. So, why not monetize my skillset? I even branched out to beginner guitar, which I was (and still am) only a beginner.
Most people didn’t know what they were doing and how they would do it when they first got started, but they just did it and learned as they went. That’s the remarkable aspect of failure – you don’t have to go backward; you can learn, grow, and fail forward into your definition of success.
Managing my own music teaching business afforded me the following opportunities:
I did not have to work back-in-the-day traditional teenager jobs (retail and fast food), which I decided to do anyways.
I could travel and pay for many of my own trips.
I was able to help pay for my university education outside of traditional student loans.
I developed confidence in talking with diverse groups and ages of people.
I learned how to sell a product (i.e., music lessons).
I elevated my entrepreneurial skillset.
I had never run a business before. I had never interacted with clients on such an intimate level. I had never taught adult clients. I had never taught blind clients.
There were many first experiences that running the music business brought, and it helped me reach where I am today. I taught music from the edge of middle school until I graduated college. I still taught a bit after that, and the cool thing about it is that I can always start teaching again. Skills can always be monetized and utilized. Never let them die.
Continue The Series
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.