Andrea Miller- Start Up Encourager

Andrea Miller

“I’m sorry, Andrea. I was trying to explain to someone what it is that you do…and I really just don’t know.”

A kind and embarrassed parishioner made this confession to me after church one week. I responded, “That’s OK, some days I don’t know either!”

Because I am an entrepreneur.

In the four years since we’ve been in Maryland, I have worked with a law office, a non-profit coalition, a publishing company, a makerspace, a STEM education startup, and my own piano studio.

I suspect this may be why people can’t explain what I do. Who even knows what a “makerspace” is???

I always have two or three things going on at once, so on a given day I could be editing STEM electronics curriculum, teaching the Moonlight Sonata, tracking legislation, building a website, setting up ad campaigns, hiring an animator, teaching librarians to code, or giving a business plan presentation.

The best way to sum up my work is that I help people start and build their businesses.

My Journey

My entrepreneurial roots go back to early childhood. Family members often remind me about the announcement I made as a preschooler that I was going to open a used car dealership when I grew up.

I'm not sure where that idea came from and I can't say I'm particularly passionate about used cars anymore, but I did start my first business ("Andrea's Cards--Cards Made Quick!!") when I was seven and my life has been an entrepreneurial adventure ever since.

Before I started working with other business owners, I double-majored in Entrepreneurship and Piano Performance and started several of my own businesses, including a summer camp for kids, a house-painting business in college, a multi-teacher music school after I graduated, and even a brief stint with a home-based bakery in high school…which lasted until I realized I would rather NOT rise before the sun every day.

Now I work with businesses in a variety of industries, and I have a soft spot for music teachers that led me to start MusicStudioStartup.com, a resource to help music teachers manage the business aspects of their studios.

Highs and Lows

Being self-employed has its ups and downs.

On the worst days, I’m unfocused, convinced my entire plan is horrible and doomed for failure, and I start flirting with job postings online. Thankfully, these days don’t happen often, but it comes with the territory.

On the best days, I have a sense of clarity, purpose, and conviction for what I’m doing. I get to celebrate with founders who have reached a significant milestone or help a music teacher crunch the numbers to see a path to a sustainable studio. I love these days!

I see the business owners I work with experience the same range of emotions with their ventures. Building a support network is crucial! I’ve been blessed to be a part of a small group of Christian, women entrepreneurs who meet regularly to encourage one another through the high and low points of our businesses.

Considering Entrepreneurship

For anyone considering turning a passion or hobby into a business, “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber is the first book I recommend. It helped me shift from an employee mindset to an entrepreneur mindset and it continues to influence a lot of my day-to-day business decisions.

I always encourage people, if they have any inkling of wanting to start a business, they should just start. It won’t be perfect (no business is) and they may ultimately decide that entrepreneurship isn’t for them, but a year from now they’ll just be glad they tried something and aren’t still wondering.

Also, feel free to reach out! I love meeting other current or aspiring entrepreneurs. Your email would make today one of my “best days.” Contact Andrea at: Andreafhmiller@gmail.com
Her website is: music studio startup

Thank you to Andrea who serves with her husband,

 Rev. Steve Miller, 
at Lutheran Church of St. Andrew, Silver Spring, Maryland.

We appreciate your words of encouragement for anyone

"thinking of a new beginning."

Marking Milestones-

 A page in Elisa's Bible.
So- back in August,
 I was asked if it was possible

 for a mom and 2 daughters to come to the

 studio in my house 
for some special time together.

Actually- to mark the 21st birthday 
of daughter-Anna.

Many of you know the mother-

that's Eliza Ferguson. 

She keeps lots of things 

spinning and in order in the 
Southeastern District office.

She is a humble, capable, organized go-getter
 and this was a small look at "intimate mothering."

This was Anna's page in her Bible-
marking a birthday milestone.

 pages in the Bible - 

from daughter -Elisabeth.

As they drove away I lamented 

that I hadn't got any photographs of their time together.

Elisa later assured me they did "capture the moment".

It is woven into the very fabric of their time in His Word,

talking, interacting, responding to God's text message.- TOGETHER.

Time to slow down, pay attention.

Be intentional.

Build community.

What other small group 

is more important to lift in prayer,

unravel the challenges, and join TOGETHER- 

than family?

Thanks for the opportunity 

to be a witness of this reminder.

To see how Visual Faith 

can be an integral part of the storytelling.

It's what discipling is all about.

It starts at home- FIRST.

And this is a milestone to remember. 

Welcome to Rev. Lannon and Alissa Martin

Circuit 9 joined for the installation of

 Rev. Lannon Martin 

at Grace Lutheran Church, 

Woodbridge, Virginia 

on Sunday, August 20, 2017.

Rev. Lannon Martin and 

SED President Rev. Dr. John R. Denninger

Pastor Lannon and Alissa Martin

Welcome to the Southeastern District!

Rev. Lannon and his mother -Julie Martin 
Alissa and her mother- Cindy Fosheim

We pray that the Lord
 will bless your ministry 
among us!

Tending the Flame- The Creative Faith Room

Tending the Flame- In Real Life 

August 4-5, 2017

Glen Allen, Virginia

 This was part of the set up
 this year for the 

Creative Faith Room.

Visual and Kinesthetic Learning

Kristi, Sierra, Melanie, Belinda and Peggy
working on Visual Prayer and 
Bible journaling projects.

Eve with the youngest attendee
at Tending the Flame for 2017.

                                                   photo by Erika Radke
Sisters-in-law hanging out learning
 more about Visual Faith - TOGETHER

Some of the young crew listening 
to Creative Faith presentations.

Kindness Rocks were a hit.

                                                                                                                                      photo by Sirpa Quinn

                                                                                                                                               photo by Sirpa Quinn
Connie teaching about
 Visual Prayer techniques.

Rev. C.J. and Melinda Ransdell
 shared ideas and resources 
for Congregational Resources 
and Visual Faith.

This year we were blessed with presentations
 by Rev. Dr. Tony Cook.
 He is the Director of United States Ministries
 for Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM). 
He provides leadership 
and operational management
 of the direction, strategies, and initiatives
 for the U.S. Ministries Division. 
Cook brings 22 years in ministry experience 
to LHM, including 17 years in curriculum
 design and development, distance curricula,
 educational technology, and leadership.

Thanks to Rev. Tony Cook 
who shared about writing 
the Illuminated Catechism.

Special thanks also to presentations
 by Visual Faith coaches:
 Belinda Bost, Erika Radke, and Donna Lee.