“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 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."
