We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Radina Veliova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Radina below.

Alright, Radina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

I embarked on my teaching journey from the comfort of my home, and it served me well for over a decade. At first, I was content with not having a commercial lease. However, as the years passed, my vision evolved. I yearned to create a space where individuals could explore their voices, nurture their musicality, and unleash their creativity. Additionally, I wanted to offer services like Voice Over coaching, recognizing that others were more qualified to teach this specialized skill. That’s when I decided to take the leap and secure my first commercial space.

In the initial stages, it was just me and another coach, and this transition was undeniably daunting. Yet, as the saying goes, “growth happens outside your comfort zone,” and I can attest that taking that leap was well worth it. What began as a single-room commercial studio has now blossomed into a three-studio facility. We transitioned from my solo coaching to a remarkable team of eight teachers, alongside two substitute teachers.

The first steps are often the most challenging – landing that first client, hiring that initial teacher, or finding that inaugural office space. When it comes to choosing the right office space, I’m a firm believer in calculated risk reduction through thorough research. Rushing into such decisions rarely leads to favorable outcomes.

A pivotal element in our success has been the ability to locate talented, reliable, and relatable teachers. Moreover, I emphasize continuous training for our coaches, ensuring we stay updated with the latest advancements in vocal pedagogy, vocal health, and scientific research.

I’ve also grown to appreciate the importance of honest and authentic marketing. I no longer shy away from spreading the word about Vocals on Stage. I take immense pride in what we’ve built, and I’m eager for the world to discover us. I firmly believe that we can help even more individuals sing with freedom, cultivate confidence in their performance, refine their speech and singing abilities, learn to play musical instruments efficiently, and forge enduring connections with music and their chosen instruments.

At Vocals on Stage, we’re not just teaching; we’re nurturing a passion for music and empowering individuals to express themselves through the transformative power of their voices and instruments.

Radina, 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?

I’m Radina, your dedicated vocal coach, speech-language pathologist, singer, songwriter, and artist. My musical journey began when I was six years old, starting with the cello. But over the years, I found my true passion in vocals. Since 2001, I’ve explored various vocal techniques, including training at Unique Voice Studios and Prayner Conservatory in Vienna. I’ve learned from mix singing teachers and private vocal coaches to refine my skills.

I hold a Master of Science Degree from the University of Vienna and another in Speech-Language Pathology from California State University Northridge. I’m fluent in English, German, Bulgarian, and French. I’m also proud to be an associate and mentor teacher for IVTOM – International Voice Teachers of Mix, where we strive for excellence in vocal instruction.

In 2010, I founded Vocals on Stage, a nurturing space for musicians based in Los Angeles. Our lessons are available both in-person and online. We teach various music genres, including contemporary, Pop, Dance, Rock, Soul, Blues, Jazz, R’n’B, Country, and Musical. With 20 years of coaching experience, I’ve worked with beginners, established touring artists, bands, solo performers, choir members, and musical theater singers. At Vocal on Stage we focus the lesson curriculum on our client’s needs, their current habits and skills and customize their lesson plan so that they see the quickest results.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I have a rich history in the industry, spanning over two decades, with more than ten years of experience right here in Los Angeles. Over this time, I’ve had the opportunity to establish myself as a reputable voice specialist and music educator, with a strong emphasis on vocal health and artist development.

My standards for teaching are exceptionally high, and I extend these expectations to my team of coaches. Effective teaching goes beyond merely imparting instrumental skills; it involves establishing connections with clients from diverse backgrounds, of varying ages, and with differing levels of experience.

What sets us apart is not only the remarkable results our clients achieve but also the enjoyable and engaging nature of our sessions, whether it’s for individuals or their children. Approximately 40% of our business comes from referrals, a testament to the quality of our services and the strong reputation we’ve built.

I’ve learned the importance of promoting our successes and not being shy about sharing them on social media or elsewhere. It’s not our clients’ responsibility to find us; it’s our duty to position ourselves in a way that makes our business easily discoverable. This involves spreading the word about our success stories, sharing student testimonials, and providing other forms of social proof. Building a robust reputation hinges on such proactive efforts. So, don’t hesitate to celebrate your accomplishments and let the world know about your expertise!

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

We utilize a combination of tools to stay connected with our clients effectively – primarily, emails, calendars, and Google Docs.

One of our regular communication channels is our weekly newsletters. These newsletters are packed with valuable vocal tips, updates on the latest news, upcoming events, and more. We believe in keeping our clients informed and engaged.

Moreover, we pride ourselves on our personalized approach to client communication. When clients reach out via email or phone, we respond personally, avoiding generic responses. We take the time to genuinely listen to their inquiries and engage in meaningful conversations.

To ensure we maintain strong connections, we rely on calendar reminders. These reminders prompt us to follow up, conduct check-ins, and acknowledge special occasions like birthdays. Our Student Showcases are another significant aspect of our communication strategy. They provide us with the opportunity to interact face-to-face with our clients, celebrate their achievements, and share their progress with our supportive community.

For prospective clients, we maintain proactive outreach efforts. We understand that they initially reached out to us for a reason, and we make it a point to check in with them regularly. We want to understand where they are in their musical journey and explore how we can assist them in achieving their goals. Our commitment is to provide continuous support and guidance to both existing and potential clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vocalsonstage.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vocalsonstage/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vocalsonstageLA
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vocalsonstage
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfSL0A1C_liTIIWY5i0Jezw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/vocals-on-stage-los-angeles-12

Image Credits
Sam Loewenstein Mayari Photo Studio