We were lucky to catch up with Emily Norris recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

In my career, I’ve worn many hats: school teacher, music teacher, office worker, and now business owner. At every stage, I’ve had moments of wondering, “Is the grass greener on the other side?” It’s natural to imagine how life might be different with a “regular” job, especially during challenging times.

One memory stands out vividly. It was 2015, and I was sitting at my desk at Missouri State University. Out of habit, I opened the TimeHop app on my phone and saw a post from 2010. In it, I had written: “Emily Norris wonders what it would be like to sit down and work at a desk all day… I wish I had a job like that!” Ironically, there I was, five years later, living that exact reality. Instead of feeling fulfilled, I caught myself daydreaming about what it would be like to have no job at all—to spend my days at home watching Netflix and eating Doritos.

It’s funny how we often romanticize what we don’t have. Even now, as a business owner, I sometimes long for the simplicity of a job where I could focus on just one or two roles, rather than juggling everything—accounting, marketing, teaching, customer service, and more. There are days when wearing all those hats feels exhausting.

But then, I look at my 8-month-old daughter and realize how blessed I am. Being my own boss means I can work from home, prioritize my family, and witness her precious milestones firsthand. I don’t have to rely on someone else to share those moments with her. That’s an incredible privilege, and it keeps me grounded, even on the hardest days.

While both traditional jobs and running a business come with their own challenges, I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be right now. It’s not always easy, but it’s deeply fulfilling. I feel immense gratitude for this chapter of my life, and for the opportunity to create a balance between my career and the joy of raising my daughter.

Emily, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My students and their families affectionately call me Miss Emily, and I’m the proud owner and teacher at EBN Music. Teaching music is more than just a job for me—it’s my passion and purpose.

My journey into music began when I was just 10 years old in Tupelo, Mississippi. My mom placed a sheet of paper with three simple songs—Mary Had a Little Lamb, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Where Is Thumbkin—in front of me at our old antique piano. I was so excited that I quickly mastered those songs. Seeing my enthusiasm, my mom realized she had taught me all she could and enrolled me in piano lessons. From there, my love for music flourished under the guidance of some amazing teachers. By the age of 16, I had my first gig as a music director and pianist for a community theater production.

After majoring in music education in college, I began my teaching career at an elementary school, where I taught piano and singing. For years, I balanced piano teaching as a side hustle, but in 2020, I decided to take the leap and go all in, creating my own teaching studio: EBN Music.

At EBN Music, I offer private piano and voice lessons both in-person at my home studio in Rockwall, TX, and online for students who live farther away. I’ve also developed resources to make learning music more accessible and enjoyable for families. My piano lesson book, “My First Piano Lessons”, and its companion book, “My First Piano Sheet Music”, were created to help bring music into more homes as a simple and engaging gateway to lessons. Additionally, I designed an online course on Outschool, which complements the books and is perfect for children aged 5–10, though older students have also found it valuable.

What I’m most proud of is the environment I’ve created through EBN Music—a place where students can not only learn music but truly fall in love with it. Seeing my students, whether they’re beginners or more advanced, light up when they grasp a new concept, play their favorite song, or achieve a personal milestone is incredibly fulfilling. I’m proud to have built something that fosters creativity, confidence, and joy, both for my students and their families.

What sets EBN Music apart is my tailored and student-centered approach. When I left my job at a local music school in 2020, I did so with the realization that music education should never feel one-size-fits-all. Every student is unique, and their lessons should reflect that. I’ve worked to create a fun, nurturing, and creative environment where students of all ages and backgrounds can fall in love with music.

I firmly believe that music lessons don’t have to be formal or rigid—they should be an experience that’s as enjoyable as it is educational. I strive to make lessons accessible for everyone by offering flexible options that fit different schedules, locations, and budgets, while also ensuring the process is stress-free for parents.

As a mom to a beautiful daughter, I deeply value the flexibility my business provides, and I aim to pass that on to my students and their families. Running my own studio allows me to prioritize both my work and my family, and I feel immensely grateful for the opportunity to witness my daughter’s milestones while helping others achieve their own.

Ultimately, my goal is to inspire a lifelong love of music in my students while making the learning process as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. At EBN Music, I’m not just teaching piano and voice—I’m creating meaningful, joyful experiences that students and families will treasure for years to come.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

EBN Music has been many years in the making, starting as a tiny side hustle back in 2009. At the time, I had just graduated college and was working as a music teacher at an elementary school in Clarksville, TN. My side hustle truly began in 2010 when my husband was let go from his job. Newly married and facing financial uncertainty, I decided to step up and help bring in extra income. I spread the word at school that I was offering piano lessons for just $10 per lesson after school.
Before long, I had about 20 students and was teaching lessons in addition to my full-time job as a music teacher. While this helped our household, my primary focus remained on my school teaching role. Over the years, as my husband and I moved to different states, I continued teaching piano to at least one student in each place we lived. While it kept my skills sharp, it was never enough to be considered even a part-time job.
A major turning point came in 2017 when I started teaching more consistently at a local music school. This was my first experience focusing solely on teaching piano and voice lessons without the added responsibilities of another job. Those three years were invaluable, allowing me to hone my teaching skills, understand how to structure lessons effectively, and develop a deeper connection with students.
By 2020, I felt ready to take the leap and launch my own in-home music studio. I had gained the confidence and teaching expertise I needed, but I also knew that starting my own business would mean learning and managing the many aspects of running a studio—marketing, scheduling, customer service, and more. While it was an adjustment, I was determined to make it work.
Each stage of this journey taught me something critical, from those early $10 lessons to the years spent at the music school refining my craft. EBN Music wouldn’t be what it is today without these stepping stones. Looking back, I see how this side hustle gradually evolved into my full-time passion and career, and I’m so grateful for the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For many individual piano teachers—especially those who don’t work for a larger music school—finding new students can be a challenge. I’ve seen many teachers rely heavily on word-of-mouth to build their client base, and I still believe this is one of the most powerful ways to grow a business. After all, what better way to advertise your services than by having happy clients spread the word for you?
However, as I’ve worked to grow my own studio, I’ve realized that while word-of-mouth is incredibly effective, it shouldn’t be the only strategy for attracting new students. To supplement it, I’ve focused on keeping an active website and social media accounts. These platforms help me stay visible and engaged with my audience, and they complement the organic referrals I receive.
Another key strategy that’s helped me grow my studio is being active in local Facebook groups. I participate in groups that align with my ideal client base, offering value to the community by sharing helpful resources, tips, and insights about music education. This has allowed me to connect with families in my area and, over time, it’s helped my studio gain visibility and traction. The result has been steady growth, and I even have a waiting list of students eager to sign up.
In the end, it’s a combination of time-tested methods like word-of-mouth and more modern approaches, such as social media and community engagement, that have proven to be the most effective strategies for growing my clientele.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ebnmusic.com
• Instagram: @ebn.music
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/emily.norris.9
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ebnmusic

Image Credits

Haylee Beth Photography
Caleb Norris