Piano school fills a need in the Fox Valley
An interview with David Kellen, owner of Studio K Music with locations in Geneva and Oswego.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: Studio K Music is a piano/keyboard education school. I am the owner and instructor.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: I saw that there was a need in the Fox Valley for someone who could have a positively influence on the musical life of the community.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: Not having enough hours in the day to do all the things I want for my studio.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: Watching children grow up, becoming great piano players, and knowing that I had a part to play in their life.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I first pictured myself making it in the “big time” as a performer. As I grew up, I saw just how challenging that was, so I worked at various churches and performed in the Chicagoland area as a freelance jobbing musician. Within two years after getting married, my wife Marianne started a family. I opened the studio just before our first child was born. Through the years I’ve been able to balance teaching and performing without sacrificing my time as a husband and dad to my three boys. Our second son has been chronically ill all of his life, to the path I chose has given me the time I’ve needed to be with him in, and out of the hospital. As a child, I never would have imagined the life I have now, but I wouldn’t trade for anything.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Being a creative person is a blessing and a curse.
A: I come up with so many ideas on how to make my studio better. I need a thirty-six hour day, so I have more time to bring the ideas into fruition.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Be confident in what you have to offer, but not arrogant. Humility goes much further than conceit.
— Kim Mikus
Ÿ Every Monday we feature local, suburban small business. We want to hear about yours. Contact us at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
Studio K Music
Address: 33W441 E. State Street, Geneva and 5313 Route 34 in Oswego
Owner: David Kellen
Year business starte d: 1991
Web address: www.studiokmusic.com