My name is Logan Peavey and I am a music educator with a passion to change the way music is taught in our schools.

You once started your own business – what was it (What Problem/Need/Service did you fulfill?)

I have started a non-profit music school called New World Conservatory. We specialize in providing high-definition music lessons with certified teachers over the internet to students who either cannot afford traditional lessons or cannot reach them due to geographic or other reasons.

What made you decide to go out on your own vs work for someone else?

I used to work for the public school system. I found this to be rather daunting work, reminiscent of a George Orwell novel. This overbearing, yet underproducing, system left me with a band where two out of four hundred were taking private lessons. My experience at that school showed me that more students need access to a great one-on-one private teacher.

Did you take any outside funding?

No, as a non-profit we have several opportunities to receive funding other than investments and loans.

Did you have any partners?

No. Again, as a non-profit the makeup is a little different than corporate business.

What was your vision/goal for the company? (Did you meet that?)

Our goal is to revolutionize private music education, and, we are in the middle of meeting that goal.

What was your company culture like? Did it ever change?

We have a very collaborative culture at New World Conservatory. We sit down every few months with all of our instructors with what we call Roundtable Discussions. We collaborate to develop solutions to any obstacles we may be facing and how to overcome them.

Why are you not with that business anymore? (Closed down, sold, etc)

We are still in business, and always accepting new students.

Would you do it again?

Yes

What are you doing now?

Working to secure grant funding to provide our teaching with necessary materials to produce web video content in the form of webcourses in music related areas.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting their own business?

Prepare for it to take forever. You have a brilliant idea! Now, flesh out some goals for the next six months and work diligently to meet them in four. Then, do it again, now, you have a years worth of business under your belt.

What is your favorite song?

Knock Yourself Out, Album: Live in Living Colour, Band: Tower of Power

Logan Peavey
New World Conservatory
loganpeavey@newworldconservatory.org