74: Mistakes We Made Running our Studios (And How We Fixed Them)

On this episode of the Rock School Proprietor Podcast, John Kozicki (Michigan Rock School and RockSchoolProprietor.com) and Mandy York (Music Time of Milford) have an honest conversation about the mistakes they’ve made while running their music lesson businesses, and more importantly, the lessons that came out of them. From pricing missteps to programs they didn’t promote soon enough, this episode pulls back the curtain on some real challenges studio owners face as they grow. In this episode: The early mistakes that cost time, money, and momentum, including undervaluing services and offering too many unpaid demos. Why promoting full band programs matters and how overlooking them slowed down growth. The importance of qualifying ideal clients and how misalignment can drain energy and resources. How delaying key hires created bottlenecks—and what changed when they finally brought new team members on. This candid conversation offers a look at the missteps that many studio owner encounters, along with the simple shifts that can help you avoid them. If you’re building a lesson program or growing a team, these insights will help you spot challenges early and make confident, sustainable decisions for your studio. -------------------------------------------------- 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.