Well, hello again! It has been a minute since we released a new episode here on the podcast.

This spring, we wrapped up our second tax season with Charles Harris, and Music Studio Startup exhibited for the first time ever at the MTNA conference in Chicago. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth. It is always so fun to connect with listeners in person.

And now we're back, just in time to start talking about one of my favorite things we do: the Studio Launch Grant Competition.

If you're new around here, the Studio Launch Grant is designed to help new and new-ish independent music teachers launch their studios with more support, more clarity, and a little more breathing room.

As in past years, this year's winner will receive a prize package of business tools, coaching, professional support, and $1,000 in seed money to help them get their studio off to a strong start.

This is our fourth year hosting the competition, and applications for the 2026 Studio Launch Grant are open now. If you are a new or new-ish independent teacher, or if you know someone who is, go to musicstudiostartup.com/grant to apply or share it with a teacher who should. Applications are due June 15.

Today, we're going to revisit the story of one of our past grant competition winners, Anna Showalter.

A full transcript and resources from this episode can be found at www.musicstudiostartup.com/episode180

MSS Studio Launch Grant Competition

MSS Entrepreneurs Hub + Mastermind

Music Studio Business Building 101

Business Finance for Music Teachers