Meet Mona Rose | Owner and Lead Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mona Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mona, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
At the time of deciding to start my own business, I was working a corporate America job in tech sales. I actually really enjoyed that job. I was making pretty good money, too. However, it was the thought of helping another business grow instead of investing the same amount of time and energy into my own business that made me pull the plug and open my own music studio. I knew that I would take on more responsibility as a business owner: I’d be representing the entire company, the students and their progress, and eventually the instructors that work under me. That pressure drives me. That pressure is what allowed the studio to grow to the capacity that it is at today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My journey as a pianist started when I was very young. I was about three years old when my mom bought me a little keyboard that has a built-in song list. I was playing full classical songs by the time I was 6 years old, completely by ear and self taught. Shortly, my mom signed me up for piano lessons with a very strict classical instructor who taught me everything I know about music and theory. Additionally, given that I started with playing by ear, I’ve been able to cover and arrange every kind of song onto the piano, now on a professional level with www.musicnotes.com. I began to teach piano when I was only 14 years old and had a serious clientele by the age of 16. We’re talking about 30 students per week on average. This was also around the time that my mother was encouraging me to focus on opening a music studio. After years of teaching, graduating from university, and spending some time in corporate, I officially opened the music studio, Mona Rose Studios. So, the real question, what sets me apart? Well, for one, I arrange sheet music for my students more often than following only one curriculum. I pride myself how quickly the studio has grown during the Covid-19 pandemic. In less than 24 hours, I was able to transform my piano lessons into online learning which resulted in 3x the amount of students (within just a couple of months). Circling back to being pitch perfect, I can hear every single note through the online meetings and can correct the students by sharing screen with virtual sheet music/books, a computerized live-time piano roll, and of course, the camera. To this day, people are surprised with how effective the online lessons can be. Even I was surprised at first with the exponential growth in my students. It forced them to be more diligent and self-reliant. Now that we are back to our normal routines post-covid, about 50% of my students have requested to stay online, and the other half are new students who are now given the opportunity to do in person.
One very important factor in how my business has succeeded today is the sacrifices I’ve made up until this point. In 2021, I moved to The Netherlands with my husband to experience a new culture. Lessons were completely online, so I was able to teach from there to my students in California. However, people forget about the 9 hour time difference. Therefore, I was working until about 5:00 am every Sunday through Thursday, just so I can maintain the growth of the studio. It was brutal, but I knew if I let it go, I wouldn’t have the 10 instructors that I have today. My calendar was completely maxed out, so I hired a couple teachers to work for me (teach the students under my studio). Not only was I teaching, but now I am managing two other employees from across the sea.
Fast forward to September 2023, I moved back to Orange County and had an influx of students sign up. Word got out that I’ve moved back home, so all my current students informed their siblings, friends and family. I was also more available because I am back on the business’s time zone. I also hired instructors for guitar, voice, drums and music production. This helped expand the studio even more. Now we have a wide variety of instruments to teach so our sole focus is not just on piano.
With all of this being said, was it easy? Yes and no. It feels natural for me to run a business and manage others. I naturally have the alpha mentality where I like to be in control and take charge. I also pride myself in being very fair with my students and my instructors. However, challenges have come my way. I have sacrificed a lot of weekends and free time in order to work with on the studio. We’re talking marketing, communicating, ads, social media, responding to emails/texts/phone calls, administrative stuff, payroll, invoices, etc. I’ve learned that time management is crucial to running a business. If you cannot balance your work and leisure time, you will burn it. and it will not be pretty. I’ve also learned that sometimes, you need to cut your losses. sometimes, the money is not the only thing that matters, but also your sanity. I’ve learned to hire and fire instructors. I’ve learned to keep personal life and business life separate. I’ve also learned, and this is the most serious one, that if you have a hobby and you turn it into a career, it is no longer a hobby. this would be the advice I’d give anyone who wants to make their passions into their work. it rarely will remain a passion.
so my brand, my story, a life-long pianist who loves playing classical piano, covering music from today’s hits on piano, sharing it with the world through lessons and social media, and hopefully release some of my compositions that I’ve held onto for the past decade. There is so much more that I have in store with the studio. One day, I want to go on the Oprah show and tell her how it’s my mom’s dream for me to go on her show, and to show the world my music. I want to continue managing the music studio, but instead of teaching full time, I want to arrange music, produce and perform full time. that is my dream, and that is hopefully what the world will see 🙂

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wake up, make coffee from the Nespresso machine with almond milk in the frother, Get ready and dress cute for brunch in Laguna Beach. I really like the food at Sapphire Lounge, Las Brisas, or Driftwood Kitchen. After, I would show her/him around Laguna and grab a coffee at Moulin because it’s probably a bit chilly and the coffee will warm us up as we walk. I’ll show her Forest Ave and all the cute shops there, check out the local art galleries, and then walk back to the car and drive to Irvine Spectrum or Fashion Island to go shopping (depending on what they want to do). If they’d rather go sight seeing by the beach, I’d show them Del Mar street in San Clemente, the Harbor in Dana Point, or the Pier in Huntington (lease favorite choice). If they are big on shopping, I’d take them to South Coast Plaza (because I think our malls are amazing).
If they are my friend, they will appreciate going to the gym. So at some point each day, we need to hit the gym. The time doesn’t matter.
I’d also show them the train station area in San Juan Capistrano, grab a coffee/tea at Hidden House Coffee, and walk around that area for a bit. Not much to see, but amazing restaurants and drinks!
For an entire day trip, I’d take them to San Diego and the first place I’d stop is La Jolla Beach. We would check out the seals at the water and then eat at Georges (with an ocean view). From there, we’d walk around and shop, and grab coffee at Better Buzz Coffee. After that, we’re going to Fashion Valley for more shopping (I hope you see a pattern here). Fashion Valley has some great restaurants but I’d rather go downtown for dinner so they can see Gaslamp Quarter. We can grab a drink or two there, walk around and then head back. On our way back to Orange County, I’d stop in Del Mar because I think it’s such a cute beach town. We could also go to Coronado if we had the chance.
For another day trip, I would take them wine tasting in Temecula, and (if the weather is nice) stop in Lake Arrowhead before heading back home. I want to show how amazing California is and how much there is to offer.
Another day trip would be in LA. My favorite areas: Near UCLA (Westwood), Rodeo Dr (shopping.. duh), DEFINITELY see a play or a show (preferably ballet with live music), and get dinner at Perch in DTLA.
I’m not big on partying, but I would definitely invite all of my friends over for drinks and food at my home if I had a visitor. My friends love to socialize and are so friendly, so that’s something I would do! But, I wouldn’t go to a club or anything. That’s not my jam. Sitting around a bonfire at the beach sounds a lot more appealing.
I’m all for learning about new cultures, so if I was ever given the opportunity to go to a museum, let’s say, with a focus on India, or Japan, I’d do it. I’m not sure that’s big here in America, but when I was in Europe, I LOVED visiting the Vatican in Italy or Louvre in France. Considering I’m a musician, any art or architecture that resembles or symbolizes the era of classical music will get me very excited.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ever since I was a child, my mother has told me “Mona, be a piano teacher! You can open a studio one day and be the owner! You can do it! People will listen to you, and you are so inspiring to others!” Believe it or not, I did not listen to her until AFTER I have graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Cognitive Psychology. I know… it’s a completely different major than what my business is about. Even when I was working a corporate job, my mom still pushed me to work for myself. She reminded me (and still does) that there will never be anything better than being your own boss, and she sure is right. I also want to thank Reza Lotf and his wife, Verzh, for recommending me to ShoutOut. I am honored that they thought of me. Students like them are the reason I love my job.

Website: www.monarosestudios.com

Instagram: @monarosestudios @monarose.official

Linkedin: Mona Rose Studios (or Mona Mosallaei)

Facebook: www.facebook.com/monarosestudios

Yelp: Mona Rose Studios

Youtube: www.youtube.com/monarosestudios

Other: https://www.musicnotes.com/sheet-music/artist/mona-rose Google Lessons.com