Where Do You Want to be in 5 Years? Make it happen! An interview with Kristina Lee

A Case Study in Stress-free Business Practices

Kristina Lee Full pictureWith the launch of the two online Piano Teaching Business Workshops, I thought it would be nice to hear from someone who has made many of the changes suggested in “The Best Stress-free Business Practices” workshop. Kristina Lee talks with us in this article about the changes she’s made and how it’s impacted her life and her studio!

What made you decide that you needed some major policy changes?

I moved into a commercial space in January and that changed both dynamics of my teaching and business. I knew that I needed to have policies that would give more financial stability and predictability in the future. Then I went to MTNA conference in March and realized that there were more teachers than I thought who had a lot more strict policies than the teachers I met in my area. After coming back from MTNA conference, I started making concrete plans about what and how to make the changes.

What policies did you change? How did you change them?

  • Stress Free Business Practices ThumbnailFees are now based on tuition system, not based on hourly rate. Students are expected to enroll for the whole year (except August, Thanksgiving week, last two weeks in December and a week in spring). I end up teaching 44 weeks a year. [How to do this is covered in “Stress-free Business Practices.”]
  • I built in 3% tuition increase each year. [How to do this is covered in “Stress-free Business Practices.” and here]
  • Clients can pay by credit card and PayPal in addition to checks and cash.
  • Monthly group workshops and master classes are built into the program. Students are expected to participate in all of them in addition to their weekly private lessons.
  • Make-up lessons are not offered, but a swap list is available as well as an option to take lessons via Skype. [Why and how to do this fairly is covered in “Stress-free Business Practices.”]
  • Yearly enrollment fee has been added.

What has been the response to your policy changes?

For the most part, clients understood why I was making the changes and were supportive.

Have you had any negative reaction to these changes? If so, were you able to resolve it?

The biggest concern I heard was that there was going to be no make-up lessons anymore. A couple of families were pretty vocal about their unhappiness with the changes. But because I sat with each family to explain and talk through all the changes, we were able to come to an understanding and I did not see anyone drop out because of the policy change. It’s been five months since I informed my clients of the changes and three months since it’s been in effect and my read is that those areas of tensions have been resolved. I think those clients who had concerns needed some time to see that the policy changes weren’t intended to penalize them, but were made with the intentions to serve my students in the best way that I can.

Has your life changed since you’ve made these policy changes?

Yes! The best thing about the policy change is that I have predictable income. It not only helps me with budgeting for my personal life but also for budgeting for my business. I am able to invest more back into my business in developing the resources available at the studio and the program I create for my students because of that.

I also have more control over my schedule. If issues come up with scheduling, I try to make a decision that serves my student the best within the reasonable flexibility I can offer. However, I can do it from the generosity of my heart and the intention to care for my student rather than obligation or fear. When my clients do ask me to be flexible, they’re always respectful and appreciative if we can work out something.

If you had to tell teachers that are considering some of these changes one thing, what would it be?

Think about the kind of studio you want to have five years from now and the kind of life you’re trying to create for yourself. Are the changes you’re thinking in line with where you want to go? Or not? If the answer is ‘yes’, then surround yourself with people and resources to encourage and support you through the process and go for it.

Kristina Lee is a Seattle based musician, educator and entrepreneur. She was born in Korea and has lived in the Pacific Northwest and Southern California as well as Istanbul, Turkey and Beirut, Lebanon. She earned her Bachelors in Piano Performance and University of Washington and Masters in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Seminary. http://www.kristinaleemusic.com

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