Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil Olson.
Hi Phil, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It was almost 25 years ago that I started teaching full-time as a guitar instructor out of my own studio. Prior to that I had worked in corporate America for 13 years in the financial industry. During a time of fasting and praying, I desperately wanted to leave corporate America. After a very frustrating week and doing my best to be obedient to listening to His voice, I just said, “How long is this gonna continue? I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” It was at the next service that I was at the front and a friend of mine came up after the service that I had led worship and slapped me on the back and said, “You ought to teach guitar for a living.” I said, “you really can’t make a lot of money at that.” To what he said, “Are you kidding? You can make a decent living at it! You should check it out!” So I called a local music store and asked if they had any openings for guitar teachers. They said they didn’t but there was someone who I might want to call to see if they were looking for a teacher. After calling this music conservatory, the owner said to me, “Are you calling about the position I put out on my website this morning for a new guitar teacher?” I said, “I didn’t know about that, but sure could we line up an interview.” We hit it off. We both attended local colleges that were rivals. Friendly rivals. After realizing that I was going to be losing out on some income if I worked for him, I politely said I’m going to be looking at starting up my own studio. It was about 2 1/2 weeks later that I got a call from him saying his phone was getting flooded for guitar students. And if I could help him out just to get through to get that portion of his conservatory up and running, would it be willing to help? I said let me pray about it and call you back tomorrow. It was then that I got a mental image of a blue sky with a white 2 x 4 hitting me over the head and I herd clear as a bell, “This is what you’re supposed to do! What do I have to do to get through to you?” So I called him back the next day and started teaching for him as well as teaching out of my own private studio. Within two months, I had enough students to leave my corporate job of 13 years. I remember walking into the Conservatory on that Monday, the only day that I was teaching for him and telling him that I had quit my job.. He panicked and said, “Phil, it takes 2 to 3 years to build a studio!”. I just pointed upwards and said, “No it doesn’t. I’m stepping out on faith. I know he’s got me.” He just smiled and said OK. Within another two months I had so many students I told him that I had to leave teaching at his studio. He asked where I was for students. I had over 50 students in just four months. He said he’s never seen anything like it. He asked if I would stay for a couple more months just to help him find the right teacher moving forward. I said “Okay…” By the end of the next two months, I was over 70 students. He actually offered to have one of their students come to my studio because that family had expressed that they’d like to stay with me. He said he was willing to do that. I asked him if he was sure. You see, the previous guitar instructor had stolen all of his students from him. During our initial interview I told him during that interview that I would never do anything like that. So again I said, “Are you sure” He said, “Yes they want to go to the studio.” At this point he asked, “How many students do you have?” I told him I was over 70 students. He was pretty taken aback and asked if I could pour some of that blessing on to him to which I said., “I’m not in charge of this!” Since then, I have written four books that are now out for sale on Amazon as part of the guitar series. During those years, I actually had to hire another teacher to handle the extra load that was coming in. That has since past. But the books that are for sale on Amazon have now sold in 12 countries! Which is pretty cool. I’m now in the process of writing two more books. When I am finished with these, my intention is to contact local colleges and universities to see if they would like to use this Series as a guitar theory course. That’s pretty much my story… I still love to teach, and I still love the ability to help people become great guitar players.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
To be sure it hasn’t always been a smooth road. But overall it’s been consistent and rewarding. Just due to the fact how my business started. I just never have had any doubt that this is what I was meant to do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Over the years, I’ve played in several bands. Both praise and worship, and a couple secular. I have written music and published it, as well as the guitar teaching series. I consider it a huge blessing to be able to impart to others how to become a musician and how to be great on the guitar. As well as offering my skill in music. To me this is my gift to I have been blessed with to give to others..
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
As far as what I have done to promote my guitar studio. I will become skilled with getting my online presence to be at the top of searches. I have also gone to local music stores who are not in competition with what I do, and ask if they would refer students to me. As well, I have done local signage in my town.
Pricing:
- 1/2 hour Guitar Lesson $35.00
- 1/2 hour Bass Lesson $35.00
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.awesomeguitarteacher.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AwesomeGuitarTeacher
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq7XKt9ng52jD97uYspxc9w
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TMY91K4?
