To be employed or self-employed?

Many music teachers ask this question: What would be better  – to be self-employed or be hired by some music school?
Like everything else, both options have pluses and minuses.

In the US, I was employed only once, for a short time

The only time somebody employed me in the US was a year after we arrived in this country. A friend told me that the “Mommy and Me” teacher at the local Community Center needed someone who could play songs for her class.

That teacher was happy to find out that I was a pianist. She gave me a tape with the songs she used in her classes. As a new arrival in this country, I didn’t know any of these songs, not even the “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star!”

I listened to the tape, wrote down the songs’ melodies, added accompaniment, and was ready to go. The pay for that job was meager even for a “fresh-from-the-boat” person like me, but the experience was priceless.

This class was fun only initially, for a month or two. I enjoyed watching the young kids and their mothers. Eventually, it became boring to play the same songs and listening to the teacher’s loud and off-pitch voice. After four months, I quit.

Advantages of being employed by a music school

The school:

• provides advertising and student recruiting.
• Collects the tuition.
• Offers professional environment.
• Purchases books for your students.
• Organizes recitals and other events.

Disadvantages of being an employee

• Lower pay.
• Lack of freedom. Your employer chooses your schedule.
• You can lose your job unexpectedly.
• Music schools can not afford health insurance and other benefits.

Depending on the state where you live, the school can hire you as an employee or an independent contractor. There are some differences between these types of work, but you are not entirely “independent” as contractors. For instance, the independent contractors have to adjust their schedule to the school’s needs, your employer determines your pay, and again – no health insurance and other benefits.

Some people prefer the lower pay and the lack of freedom in exchange for the job’s security. Unfortunately, you can lose this security quickly.

Many things can happen to your bosses. They can suddenly close the business (the owner got seriously sick, stressed out, or retired). The company can downsize or go bankrupt (unpaid debts, lawsuits). All that means that an employee loses a job almost momentarily.

While running our school in two locations with six receptionists and about forty teachers, occasionally, we had to fire employees or independent contractors. Although we had reasons to do it, it was not easy. Some of these people cried, some got angry, and even insulted us. But we had to let bad apples go to avoid damage to our business.

How I became self-employed

While working at the Community Center, I advertised for piano lessons in the local newspaper. Soon a few students turned into many. Besides giving piano lessons, I started teaching music classes at several local preschools (twelve to be precise).

Before long, I created my unique music program for preschoolers, improving and enhancing it over the years.

Soon, my group music classes for ages 2-6 became very popular. They turned our little studio into the largest and most successful music school in West Los Angeles.

Advantages of becoming self-employed

• Creative freedom
• Independence
• You can set your schedule
• Job satisfaction
• Working from home
• Your income potential is much higher
• You gain experience in the different areas of running your business
• You create your work environment
• You’re always learning

Disadvantages of being self-employed 

• You have to take many risks
• Lack of employee benefits (no sick pay, holiday pay, etc.)
• Extended hours (working day may be much longer and more irregular)
• More stress
• Unpredictable income

Despite all these disadvantages
I am glad I had my own business

Years later, when we had a music school in Florida, one of our violin teachers told me: I can’t imagine how you can handle everything – teaching and running the school with so many students and so many teachers. I would never be able and wouldn’t even want to do that.

She was feeling sorry for me. I took her comment as a compliment. By that time, I already knew that not every person can do what we have done, working for ourselves, and succeeding.

During school holidays we could take exotic trips. Despite the stress, hard work, many responsibilities, and liabilities, it was fun to run our business.