Lauren Rodych-Eberle
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

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Starting Your Own Business Like a Boss
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Blog, Entrepreneur

Starting Your Own Business Like a Boss

December 15, 2021
-
Posted by Lauren Rodych-Eberle

I sit here writing feeling like an imposter, not knowing if I should share this post at all. But, it’s been requested…many times. So, I decided I will share my own journey to starting my own business “like a boss.” This is my why, my how, my recipe, but it may look different for everyone. Especially if your current goal is to hire 100 employees…that’s not what my recipe looked like. Maybe one day I will own a huge studio and hire a ton of teachers and train them all in my method, or maybe, I’ll keep it as intimate as it is right now. Or, maybe, as I’m learning, my roles and dreams and career path will completely change altogether. So, let me begin with my why!

My Why

I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I always knew music was important to me. I would say that I was going to be a teacher or a singer when I “grew up.” As I got more and more into music, many people (not my true cheer squad) told me music was not a realistic career path. They tried to brainwash me out of pursuing my dreams, or they tried to put a price tag on my dreams. “What are you going to do with music?” So, somewhere along the lines, in high school, I decided it was more practical for me to get an office job…I decided I could simply make music in my spare time.

For some people, keeping their passion as a hobby is enough, but the outliers in my life knew better. In Grade 12, I enrolled for early admittance to the University of Calgary and got accepted into the Communications & Culture program. I said I was going to work in Public Relations…that was my new ‘game plan.’

When my high school choir teacher found this out, he pulled me into his office, sat me down, and asked me why I had made this decision. He told me I was doing a disservice to myself and others by not pursuing music. I cry typing that…that one conversation lead me to talk to my parents, to talk to my private voice instructor (a wonderful woman who really instilled the love of music in me), and to contact the University and make the switch into Music (can you believe that?! Teachers, you make a difference!). In case you’re wondering, I kept Communications & Culture as a Minor (which allowed me to study Food & Culture in Spain on a study abroad, so ya…it was a good decision, haha!).

By my first year of University, I was studying music full-time, and I began working teaching music at two different music studios in Calgary. I taught singing and preschool music classes. Somewhere along the way, others started asking me to teach them piano out of their homes, so I became a travelling teacher too. By the time I graduated from University, I had heard, “What are you going to do with a music degree?” so many times, countless times, (still never, ever from my supportive parents). I fell back into that mindset that I needed to get a stable office job. But, you couldn’t keep the arts out of me. The same month I graduated University, I started up full-time working downtown Calgary, at a professional theatre company, in the Communications and Development departments. I still love that theatre to this day, but while their hours were 9-5, I requested that I worked 7:30am-3:30pm, so that I could then start teaching everyday by 4:30pm and go until 9pm. Yup…you couldn’t take the music out of me.

Over the year and a half I worked at the Theatre, I realized that I was always eager to go teach, even after a full day of work. I never once dreaded having to head to the studio. I wanted more of it, if anything. I had to come to terms with my why…my happy. I realized I needed to pursue this – I needed to start my own business!

My How

I break my how into three parts:

  • Have a business plan
  • Start your business on the side, while you have your other job/stability (if you can)
  • When you’re ready to go full-time, give it everything you have!

First thing I did was sit down and work out a business plan (thank you, University-training and Google). I worked out every detail and all the finances. I figured out how many clients I would need to make what I was currently making working multiple jobs (not that I would let my Shoppers Drug Mart gig go very quickly!), and what expenses would go into the business. Finally, when I had it fully together, I sat my parents down and got them to take a look at it. On top of that, I said, “I’d like to open this business out of your house.” They didn’t bat an eye…they asked when I wanted to start. There’s another reason I feel like an imposter writing this to you – while I did have to go out and get all the permits and a business license, I had a beautiful piano and space ready for me! I didn’t need to go out and acquire loans to buy a piano or lock down office space. But, as I said at the beginning, this was my recipe, and I fully acknowledge the privilege I had in not having to worry about keeping the lights on or getting food on the table, if some payments didn’t come in! So, my wonderful parents, let me open up my studio in their house, and have people come through at all hours of the day, and night, and weekends…they had preschools…they had their washroom heavily used…and for all of that, I am so grateful.

But, to back up, I started really pursuing this “on the side” before taking it full-time. I was already working at two studios and travelling to teach others. I talked to everyone I knew about it. Before September hit, I already had paying clients, rental space for recitals, and commitment from others, so I knew I could make this work. I think for many people, starting as a side hustle is the way to go. Within a year, my wonderfully supportive husband and I built a studio into our house in Edmonton, so the creation and growth of that evolved. Now I was a travelling teacher in a different way – between Edmonton and Calgary studios. So, my number 3 piece of advice is, when I was ready to go full-time, I gave it my all. They say being an entrepreneur is great, because you get to choose which 18 hours a day you work. But, it’s true. At the beginning, you truly take what you can get. Back then I remember sometimes working 3 split shifts in a day, because you didn’t turn down a client! Once you’re more established, you can be pickier as you see fit, and as you need to be!

Since then, my business has shifted again, as we moved to New York, and then Seattle, as we had a child within a pandemic…while Calgary is my office home-base, I have a full studio teaching students all over Canada via Skype/FaceTime, and now have music eCourses that people can do at their own pace. Thank you, technology. And then of course, I’ve evolved beyond music, into food and exploring! I never dreamed that this was the direction my business would go, and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. So, for all of you out there dreaming, make a plan, start it on the side, and then give it your all, and be open to seeing how your business will change along the way!!

Happy Working, all you Bosses!

December 15, 2021
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ABOUT ME
I’m Lauren and I have a deep passion for music, food, the outdoors, and travel. I love random questions and fun facts, and am always searching for better ways to bring wellness and health into my life. I am the owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where I teach voice, piano, ukulele, and preschool music classes – via Skype and within Calgary. I am a Senior Consultant for Pampered Chef, which has inspired me over the years to write two cookbooks (plus one mini ebook cookbook), that have food preparation made easy in the forefront.
LET’S STAY IN TOUCH!


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Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm? The stuff. I Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm?

The stuff. I know this is a privileged point, so please be kind. I’ve always attempted to be a wannabe-minimalist (seeing as I have two of everything living between two places, but I want everything to have a purpose and a ‘home.’). 

I’ve very much noticed this be a trigger point for me since having kids, because J and I both have big families, and although their gift giving comes with so much heart and generosity, I’ve tried to find ways to bring in less stuff and to teach my kids to appreciate each gift, sooo less is more. 

Many years ago, my siblings adopted Sibling Christmas where instead of gifts, we have a special night out together! We love this tradition. After the overwhelm I felt this Christmas, being generously gifted Eberle gifts for now TWO kids, I asked J’s siblings if we can adopt a family-friendly event next year and remove all aunt/uncle/cousin gifts. Shout out to all my brother/sister-in-laws for getting on board. 

With C’s birthday party coming up, she asked for no gifts (OR a book as a gift).

Small steps, but always trying!!

Have you found any ways to minimize the stuff chaos in your house?!
You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate while solo parenting?

Taking your car to the shop with car seat aged kids. 

Do you hang out in the shop with the kids for hours? Do you bring travel car seats and install them to get them home? Honestly, what have y’all done? Having another human help isn’t the solution here for me this time…😅
There is no one more present than a baby. Our kidd There is no one more present than a baby. Our kiddos have so much to teach us. 

#babyrodycheberle2
🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head I got a war 🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head
I got a warm body in bed
I'm doing alright right where I'm at
With what I have

[I got a Jeep, I got a dog]
I got what they call a dream job
Plenty to want, nothing wrong with that
But I'm happy with what I have

I got the air, good eyes to see
Got so much more than I'll ever need
Even the bad days ain't all that bad
With what I have🎶
-Kelsea Ballerini
It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to w It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to win at Christmas, he did. For my gift he booked @throughcarrieslens to come follow our family on our Anniversary hike this year and take pictures of our butts…🤣 Maybe it’s because he knows pictures of him wearing our babies has me like…😍

Countdown to see you, @throughcarrieslens!
“Don’t worry so much about raising good kids t “Don’t worry so much about raising good kids that you forget you already have them.”🤍
J: Can we start weekly date night again? Also J: J: Can we start weekly date night again?

Also J: Okay, see you in two weeks after our road trip. 

[A real conversation we had recently…
Appreciate the sentiment, AND weekly may have been a bit ambitious.]
Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank yo Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank you to @schoenanigans for this onesie that will live on for every kiddo. Thank you to my non-Instagram husband for these babies.
Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm? The stuff. I Ready to hear my biggest overwhelm?

The stuff. I know this is a privileged point, so please be kind. I’ve always attempted to be a wannabe-minimalist (seeing as I have two of everything living between two places, but I want everything to have a purpose and a ‘home.’). 

I’ve very much noticed this be a trigger point for me since having kids, because J and I both have big families, and although their gift giving comes with so much heart and generosity, I’ve tried to find ways to bring in less stuff and to teach my kids to appreciate each gift, sooo less is more. 

Many years ago, my siblings adopted Sibling Christmas where instead of gifts, we have a special night out together! We love this tradition. After the overwhelm I felt this Christmas, being generously gifted Eberle gifts for now TWO kids, I asked J’s siblings if we can adopt a family-friendly event next year and remove all aunt/uncle/cousin gifts. Shout out to all my brother/sister-in-laws for getting on board. 

With C’s birthday party coming up, she asked for no gifts (OR a book as a gift).

Small steps, but always trying!!

Have you found any ways to minimize the stuff chaos in your house?!
You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate You know what’s the trickiest thing to navigate while solo parenting?

Taking your car to the shop with car seat aged kids. 

Do you hang out in the shop with the kids for hours? Do you bring travel car seats and install them to get them home? Honestly, what have y’all done? Having another human help isn’t the solution here for me this time…😅
There is no one more present than a baby. Our kidd There is no one more present than a baby. Our kiddos have so much to teach us. 

#babyrodycheberle2
🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head I got a war 🎶’Cause I got a roof over my head
I got a warm body in bed
I'm doing alright right where I'm at
With what I have

[I got a Jeep, I got a dog]
I got what they call a dream job
Plenty to want, nothing wrong with that
But I'm happy with what I have

I got the air, good eyes to see
Got so much more than I'll ever need
Even the bad days ain't all that bad
With what I have🎶
-Kelsea Ballerini
It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to w It’s not a competition, but if J was trying to win at Christmas, he did. For my gift he booked @throughcarrieslens to come follow our family on our Anniversary hike this year and take pictures of our butts…🤣 Maybe it’s because he knows pictures of him wearing our babies has me like…😍

Countdown to see you, @throughcarrieslens!
“Don’t worry so much about raising good kids t “Don’t worry so much about raising good kids that you forget you already have them.”🤍
J: Can we start weekly date night again? Also J: J: Can we start weekly date night again?

Also J: Okay, see you in two weeks after our road trip. 

[A real conversation we had recently…
Appreciate the sentiment, AND weekly may have been a bit ambitious.]
Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank yo Thank you to @babyknitsco for this toque. Thank you to @schoenanigans for this onesie that will live on for every kiddo. Thank you to my non-Instagram husband for these babies.
In honour of @michaelferraro_music’s birthday, h In honour of @michaelferraro_music’s birthday, here’s a serious throwback. Go give his band @pinebarren.music a follow!

#lebsinging #nashvillecover
ABOUT

Owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio. Author of the Brownie Pan Every Damn Day Cookbooks. Consultant for Pampered Chef. Lover of Random Questions.

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