Meet Veronica.
Veronica Stewart
from
The Guided Creative &
Sydney Voice Studio
Tell us about yourself
This type of question always gets me because I never know how to answer! I consider myself both a swiss army knife some days, and a lazy cuddly teddy bear in one. Ok jokes aside, I am a happily working mama who makes, lives and breathes in the area of creative entrepreneurship. I have a background as a researcher and educator. I hold a PhD in voice and creative processes, and I own a wonderful studio that focuses on bringing the gifts of singing and music to others. I have also recently started a new venture, in coaching others how to live and work as creatives, so it's a lovely, exciting time of seed planting for me in this new chapter (about to turn 40 as I write this, and the timing has never been better!).
Tell us about your business
My background as a creative is in music, voice and singing - which I totally love and have done so from a young age. So it was only natural that I gravitated towards teaching this craft to others. As I grew a little older (and eventually moved out of the music industry and sat comfortably in music education for 20 years), I began to really hone into the wonderful impact that learning to sing - and changing ones' relationship with their voice - has on adults, young people and our community of students at large. So in short - we help people learn how to love their voices, how to learn how it works and how to change their relationship with how they sound, through the art and science of singing.
The Sydney Voice Studio is now a 12 year old, multi-6-figure business, and I am so proud we have helped thousands of people both in Sydney and internationally.
"The Guided Creative" is my new venture, where I help support others in their journey as creative and artistic entrepreneurs, as it's not always an easy road choosing this life! Being "creative" holds a special place in the spirit of every person who knows this, and being in "business" can sometimes bring up a lot of conflict. One kinda sometimes kills the other, if one isn't careful! I believe creative folks deserve to have both in their life, and it's possible with the right attitude, frameworks and strategies.
What's the heart behind your business?
The core of what I do is to help others realise the power of their creative selves. Most have it under their nose, and ignore it. A lot of people meander through life unsatisfied, and personally, I believe a lot of it has to do with dormant creativity. Creativity is both play, work, challenge and meaning. It isn't the fluffy thing many think it is. I disagree that it's a soft skill, oh hell no! A life without would feel pretty boring, and at times also a little meaningless. Most people see the 'product' of creativity, and not the 'process'. Try this: The next time you feel stuck on an issue, grab a pen and paper and just start drawing, or go into your car and start singing in private. Yes, it might seem embarrassing at first, but try it - there's nothing to lose! Don't think of how good it will look or how perfect it sounds. Have a go. See if you can hang on to this for 15-20 mins. I bet the solution to your issue will likely arrive shortly after.
What does a typical, or ideal, work day look like for you?
These days, my life is (thankfully) well balanced. I am not a natural early bird, despite wishing I were! But, I do wake up epic early if I have a project or writing deadline. 5am in the morning is bliss for writing content, book chapters and articles - and knowing this, I stick with it despite it being difficult to do. The pleasure of having some good writing ticked off overrides the pain of having to get up! Then, it's the usual morning madness of packing lunches and getting my kids to school. From there, the day begins, usually with a check-in with my team, followed by scheduled client appointments and lecturing. I batch tasks - Mondays and Fridays are off-limits and are days I invest in pure creative work (and long weekends, if the opportunity comes up!). Tuesday to Thursday is where I pile in all other work. Then, the evenings are a little like the mornings. I am often driving my kids around to their respective commitments, listening to them talk about their world!
Have there been any struggles in your business that you've overcome? What did you learn from them?
Oh many! Too many to count, especially at the beginning. But the key thing I can say upon reflection is that of course struggles happen. Nobody learns to ride a bike without falling off. When you're starting out, you have two things to do: The work itself, and 'how' to do the work itself. You may know how to paint. But you won't know how to get your craft out to market so people see it, buy it, appreciate it, and benefit from it. A lot of mental stuff comes up in all of this! Am I good enough, what if they don't like me, what if I suck at this, what if I lose money, what if I hurt someone. Learning how to build a website and a system is easy compared to the inner work one must do to overcome all the BS that comes to the surface (and trust me, no matter how long in business, every stage of growth comes with a new set of both mental and practical lessons). But, the guiding lesson and liberation from this is to remind myself...are you ready!?...It's not about me. It's not about you. Embodying this lesson has not been easy - after all one is human, with insecurities and fears! - but making my decisions from a place of "who can this serve, how can I help them, how can this impact their world?" changes everything.
What's been a highlight for you in business?
Helping thousands of students! This realisation is epic. I started my business journey in the attic of a rented apartment. I started with one student. I brought my babies to work to avoid paying child care. I build it one consistent step at a time. To be able to say we've generated over 7-figures in income over the last decade, nurtured the careers of my team, and have helped thousands of students, brings a wonderful sense of achievement. My next chapter is to help others do the same, because the lifestyle, freedom, creativity and community it brings is priceless.
What advice would you give others wanting to start a business?
Play it like a game. There will be boogie monsters ahead. There will be levels and lessons to learn. You will have problems to solve. But approach it like Mario Kart. Approach it from a space of play. You get to re-spawn after every loss, don't worry! Then, remember the good you are giving and doing for others. This will fuel your lower moments (expect those too!). Finally, get a coach. Do a course. Find a mentor or teacher you gel with at every stage of your business. This is important, as the wrong teacher at the wrong time and stage of your business can also set you backwards. The lessons at your first 50k are different at 100k, and different again at 450k, and so on. If you are a mum in business, decide whether you want to grow your business super fast, or slow and steady. I chose the slow and steady approach because I chose to dedicate half my life to raising my kids (who are now in their teens). I am so glad I made that choice, as in my life context, it's what worked best. Choose wisely.
How can people find you?