100: Q&A Episode | When an Instructor Steals Your Students

On this Q&A episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York respond to a listener whose long‑time instructor left, opened a competing studio, and poached students. Now a competitor, this instructor also reused photos and reviews from the original school. They unpack what options the studio owner has, explain how copyright and DMCA takedowns can help with images, and discuss the realities and limits of enforcing non‑competes. In this episode: We celebrate 100 episodes of Rock School Proprietor podcast. The emotional impact of a former instructor poaching students and what legal recourse is possible in these situations. The steps studio owners can take in protecting intellectual property, including photos and website copy, where where reviews fit in. If non-compete agreements are enforceable in music lesson studios, and if it is in your best interest to pursue legal action if one is a non-compete contract is broken. How to handle conflicts with instructors or former instructors if they begin teaching independently outside of your studio. The hosts also cover boundary setting, trust breakdowns, practical steps to protect your business going forward, and when it’s worth pursuing legal action versus focusing on retaining and serving your own students.   Rock School Proprietor is a podcast for independent music school owners and lesson studio operators. New episodes drop Wednesdays at RockSchoolProprietor.com and on all podcast streaming platforms.   ------------------------------------------ Your ratings and reviews on Apple Podcast and Spotify are always appreciated! Join our private Facebook group, "The Modern Music School," a community for like-minded professionals to connect and share insights. Looking for a simple and effective guitar curriculum that includes FREE instructor training and support? Consider John's book, Complete Guitar Strumming.