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INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes to provide another commentary in a series.

The Benjamin “BENCASSO” Barnes Commentaries

“Hey, hey, welcome to *The Coaches Corner*, where today we’re tackling a question for all the music, art, and coaching entrepreneurs out there: How do you actually scale a creative teaching business? Or as I like to call it, how to avoid turning your life into a circus without a ringleader.

Now, you might think you can just clone yourself or add a magic potion to double your income, but here’s the truth: that’s called *wishful thinking*, folks. Scaling is a bit like playing in an orchestra—every piece has to be in tune, or your solo’s gonna sound like a car crash.

Step 1: Build the Brand, Not Just the Workload

When you start expanding, don’t just think about tacking on more classes or adding more hours—because that’s the fast track to burnout city. Instead, work on building a brand that has legs beyond your own two. A brand means people start coming to you because they’re buying into what *you* represent. Is it high-energy violin coaching? Mixed-media art for people in crisis? Whatever it is, make it distinct and make it stick.

Tip: Have a memorable social media presence—one that people actually look forward to seeing, like your aunt’s cat videos. Get out there and be authentically you.

Step 2: Diversify Like a Pro

Alright, maybe the *Catastrophic Burnout Express* doesn’t sound so bad to you because hey, you love what you do. But, friend, there’s a thing called ‘revenue streams’ that’s gonna make this whole thing more sustainable. Offer workshops, digital courses, one-on-one coaching, or get wild with group sessions that create community. The more you vary your services, the more places you have to pull income from, and the less likely you’ll be lying face-down in a pile of music scores wondering where it all went wrong.

Step 3: Make Technology Your Assistant

I know, I know—tech sounds like the enemy of creativity, but trust me on this. From scheduling apps that manage your calendar (so you don’t accidentally double-book or forget about a class) to tools that make payment easy for clients, think of tech as your invisible, unpaid assistant. And for heaven’s sake, keep track of those expenses! Automation’s not glamorous, but it’s what’ll keep you sane.

Tip: Use online teaching platforms if you want to grow your reach. No, you don’t have to be a TikTok star, but Zoom isn’t just for quarantine anymore.

Step 4: Hire Help Before You Think You Need It

If you’re running your business alone, congratulations, you’re also the janitor, accountant, and emotional support. Eventually, there’s gonna come a time when you’re stretched too thin. Hiring people to help with the small stuff before you feel overwhelmed is key. Whether it’s a part-time assistant, a social media manager, or a clone (they’re still working on that tech, I checked), get someone to pick up the slack. And remember, you don’t have to hand over everything; even an extra pair of hands for a few hours a week can make a difference.

Step 5: Stay Weird, Stay True

Scaling doesn’t mean turning into a robot. It means amplifying what makes your teaching and coaching unique. If you’re a bit eccentric—like I’m guessing you might be if you’re still listening

—lean into it. People connect with real personalities, so keep the quirks and let that uniqueness shine as you grow.

And that’s the gist, folks! Scaling a creative business is doable, but only if you do it on your terms. Now go on, build your empire, but remember—Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a sustainable teaching business. Thanks for tuning in to *The Coaches Corner*. See you next time!”

Benjamin Barnes, aka Bencasso, is a former rockstar, classical and jazz violinist, bluegrass fiddler, and entrepreneur known for his candid advice on growing a creative business. He’s the founder of Culture Scholar Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and CEO of Bencasso Media, where he helps artistpreneurs reach their full potential. With an eclectic career spanning music, art, and teaching, Bencasso’s insights are as unique as they are practical.

Song: Deadweight “Barstool” from Halfwit Anthems

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6x4DJEz31N09YXiAANmj1R?si=2dbfd106496545a2

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/barstool/1606967311?i=1606967471

Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/albums/B081L9BSYL?trackAsin=B081L8M9VY&ref=dm_sh_a1a8 b7b3-199b-a70b-f9174

Artwork available at https://www.bencasso.org