The End of an Era

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Today, the music school I've owned and run for over three years has closed its doors. It is the end of an era.

I thought I'd use this opportunity to tell you a little about what happened, and why, and where I'm planning to go from here.

I opened my music school in the fall of 2006, after Ben and I were married. I was so excited! I had said a year earlier I wanted to wait until I was in my 40s and my kids were not little before opening it, but I got too excited and started (much) sooner. I had experience working with children with autism and I also was mostly finished with my degree in music, so I decided to go ahead with it.

About April 2007, I started to get several students. Enough that when I found out I was pregnant in May, I hired another teacher to help me and to take my students when Bekah was born. I had 20 or so in January 2008. At that point I was completely into teaching -- holding recitals, special classes, summer camps, etc.

But after Bekah was born my perspective began to change. Suddenly I wanted to spend more time with her and doing other projects, and less time teaching. I did start teaching again when she was only 5 weeks old, but I was only a floor away from her (she didn't like it -- she screamed the whole time, even when Ben was holding her).

That summer I even hired a babysitter to come in and watch Bekah while I was teaching (the only time -- other than my childbirth education classes before Daniel was born, when I had one of my friends come watch her -- that I ever hired a babysitter). But I didn't like being away from her and it was increasingly becoming a struggle to keep my attention focused on the business. Despite that, we had our most successful Open House ever in August 2008.

After I found out I was pregnant with Daniel, things started to go downhill. By early 2009, I'd had some staff turn over, and there was more to come. I wasn't paying much attention to new student inquiries or following up with them as I should. Students were starting to leave but not being replaced. As Daniel's birth approached, all but one of my students quit (for varying reasons; they knew I was leaving, of course). In May 2009, I planned the spring Open House -- and NO ONE came. It was then I said, "Okay, God, you're clearly leading me in a new direction." But I held onto the business, increasingly apathetic, until recently.

At the beginning of this year, there were only about 5 students left, and only one mine. The aggravation of dealing with students and parents and staff wasn't worth it anymore. The loss of space (we have a designated music room) wasn't worth it. So we made the decision to close our doors as of February 1st. Today.

My music school is closed, but I'm ready to move on. I have so many projects happening now!

Many of you saw the breastfeeding survey a couple weeks ago (and some of you took it -- thanks!). I did that because I'm currently pursuing certification as a lactation specialist and a childbirth educator through CAPPA. These are jobs I can do from home (primarily), and around my children. Sometimes even WITH my children! I'm very excited about this. More details about the certification process and some of the life changes that are coming along with it are coming up soon.

What is going on in your life now? Have you ever had a dream that changed?

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