At the end of February, Chris started thinking about taxes and began filling out information with Turbo Tax like he does every year. I get an email from Intuit, the company that owns Turbo Tax, and many other great resources for small businesses (quick books, quicken, etc.). The email asked: Do you own a small business? Does your small business need $$$? Do you have a small business story you would like to share? My answer was yes, yes, and yes! My spirit filled with excitement as I caught a glimpse of how winning could actually allow me to achieve my dream of opening a music studio! Within a week, I entered my story in their small business grant contest with a chance to win $25,000!! What did I have to loose? Chris and I had just bought our house less than 6 months ago with a vision of renovating the basement into a music studio. We figured we would begin with one room that would allow me to start teaching, and then save up until we could afford to renovate the rest. One way or the other we were determined to build the studio!
With the support of all my friends, family, and students voting, and the judges decision, Ioana's Music Lessons made it through the first part of the competition along with 49 other finalists!
In the final round, each finalist had two weeks to make a 2-4 minute video that captured the initial story they entered. What did I know about making a video?? Not much, but I knew that would change in the next couple of weeks! Intuit gave each finalist a Flip Camera, so at least I did not have to go out and buy all new equipment! I entered my video www.tinyurl.com/ioanavideo and then spent the next two weeks getting as many votes as possible!! On June 4, Intuit announced that Ioana's Music Lessons was the GRAND PRIZE WINNER!!! The rest is history! We have spent the last month and a half tearing apart the basement and transforming it into Harmony Music Studio.
Okay, this is the short version! There are dozens peeps who helped make this dream a reality and to whom I am soooo grateful. Rather than mentioning these folks briefly, I wanted to make a seperate blog posting for them! This is where the real story begins!
love it! so excited to read this blog...hope to be a student one day soon! =0)
ReplyDeletebiolamom9 (aka Marta) California piano teacher:
ReplyDeleteChris and Ioana - Thanks for keeping us informed as your studio progresses. I am so proud of you both! Meeting Kizito was truly serendipitous and shows how God orchestrates and oversees so many details of our lives. I love you guys and will continue to follow your story.
"Ioana's Music Lessons",soon to be known as "Harmony Music Studio" is truly becoming a reality. Praise the Lord for HIS blessings and HIS covering. It is all because of the talents and abilities received from the LORD to you both as well as those HE brings into your life to help facilitate the cause. I am so pleased to have become a part of this vision. Ioana and Chris,I love you both and respect your hard work and amazing perserverance. Never forget those humble beginnings and your roots. Apart you are exceptional people. Together you are EXTRAORDINARY!!! (Perhaps I'm just a bit biased, but my perogative). Go as visionaries in GOD's grace and peace, taking nothing for granted. I'm ALWAYS here for you. (Fortunately for us the phone calls make it from West to East coasts and back again, 24/7!) Love, Fran
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ioana. It is so wonderful to see how you ar investing in your business and your community - and to get a chance to meet all the wonderful people who are helping you reach your goals.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS again Ioana!!! i'm so excited for you and your new blog! love, jana chang
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