Meet Laura Hollis | Founder

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

Hi Laura, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I am a calculated risk-taker, and I have always felt this is why I never fit in a traditional job.

Without risk, I lose motivation and also experience a lack of enjoyment in my work.

Taking risks applies a natural sort of pressure to my day to day work and creates a problem that needs solving. The payoff for managing risk directly impacts my business and therefore my life, so I take huge pride and interest in managing that risk.

For example, in 2021 we were having a mediocre year. There’s nothing wrong with that, but the previous two years were our best ever. I could feel the plateau in my day to day processes. However, we can also measure that treading water in our KPIs and other various trackable numbers for the company. Simultaneously, we had restructured management/administrative roles during our large growth period and needed different office space. So when the opportunity presented itself, I decided we would buy our next office space instead of rent.

Managing commericial real estate in terms of a large renovation project, designing new spaces, revenue streams and the execution of those put me back on my toes. That is still sometimes uncomfortable because I am forced to learn in new arenas. Sometimes I fail or make a mistake. But the new problems and solutions generated from taking that risk push me personally. That is currently translating into our highest grossing year ever.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My company, Barrett School of Music teaches in-home music lessons in Tampa, Miami and New York. We teach piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, drums, violin, viola, cello and bass.

On a more molecular level, I am proud of our teaching team. We have the very best educators. Our mantra has always been that it’s the teacher’s job to engage the student, to give them the type of education they enjoy, that drives them to accel and to practice their craft. We should always work in the fundamentals, but the burden is on the teacher the create content that the student will love to deliver those fundamentals. I love seeing the teachers come to life under this artistic freedom we push them to.

I am where I am today because I was a private teacher by myself first! When my son was born, I realized I didn’t want my busiest work hours to be when he would eventually be out of school, like afternoons and weekends. So I took a risk and hired one teacher. That was in 2015, and by the end of that year, we had 5 teachers. In 2018, we launched in Miami and last year we launched in New York. We have close to 50 teachers now, and I get to go to almost all of my son’s soccer practices and games.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tampa is an amazing city! It’s really come to life recently too with lots of new people and places. Some highlights I take all my besties to are:

St. Pete beach – the beach is beautiful, and there’s plenty of cute restaurants to try too.

Water Street – I haven’t even been to most of those places yet, but I love walking around in that area. It feels like a true city for those couple of blocks and it’s just bursting with life and amazing cocktails. (just received a michelin star too)

Shopping in Hyde Park – this area is full of cute little boutique shops, and most of them are local businesses. It’s another walkable area, and I always have long conversations with different shop owners in there too.

Osteria Natalina – my favorite neighborhood spot! My boyfriend and I are regulars here. Amazing pasta and amazing wine. There’s a caprese salad there that’s not on the menu too, and it’s my favorite.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, to my son Liam who pressures me everyday simply by existing, to model perseverance, critical and creative thinking, personal responsibility and making your own dreams come true. He also allows me to contribute to feminism and change in the world. I absolutely love that he will grow up seeing a woman work hard and run a successful company.

Second, to my dad who I think is generally afraid of the life I’ve chosen but viciously supports me in every possible way. He’s very much my best friend in addition to being the best dad.

Lastly, to women autobiographers such as Cheryl Strayed, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Alice Sebold. Reading their failures and refusal to fall reminds me that I can always accomplish my goals.

Website: musicschoolintampa.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrettschoolofmusic/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-hollis-73142556/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebarrettschool

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/barrett-school-of-music-tampa?osq=Barrett+School+of+Music

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@barrettschoolofmusic1364?si=LMPcxkH4TVkzQjP0