Music School Experts, Michael and Berta Guevara Talk About Independent Contractors And Employees

Dr. Michael and Berta Guevara, America’s Premier Growth Experts for Private Music School Owners and owners of The Conservatory of Music, with locations in Cinco Ranch and North Katy discuss the importance of knowing whether to use contractors or employees in a music studio business.

Katy, TX – March 15, 2018 – Michael and Berta Guevara, owners of The Conservatory of Music at Cinco Ranch and North Katy, posted a new article on their company website entitled “Your Day-to-Day Studio Business Team.” Dr. and Mrs. Guevara explain some of the basic decisions new studio business owners will face.

Dr. Guevera begins writing, “For argument’s sake, let’s say that you have made the decision to open a music studio and you’ve already assembled your core group of professionals who are going to keep your business humming along without a hitch. (See my latest blog Pull Together A Band of Professionals).”

“Once you’ve got that team assembled,” he continues, “you’ll then need to decide if you’ll be hiring employees and/or hiring independent contractors for the day-to-day business.” Berta chimes in with a few questions adding, “Will your teachers be employees? Will you have someone to schedule classes or will you do that yourself? Will you be renting space to other musicians or music teachers?”

According to Michael, “You’ll need to know the answers to these questions and the differences between employees and independent contractors as well as the legal requirements associated with both in order to make your decision.” He continues adding, “Your attorney and accountant will be able to provide the details, because more importantly, the IRS will want to know. There are specific state as well as federal requirements.”

“Many music studios hire independent contractors to provide a variety of music instruction,” says Berta. She continues, “As the studio owner, you will pay the independent contractors even though they are not employees.” Michael adds, “There are different ways of setting up your studio to accommodate your independent contractors, but once you establish your method you’ll want to stick to it. For instance, will there be a central way for students to sign up for lessons or will the independent contractors each be responsible for scheduling his or her students? Will the independent contractor establish their own schedules or will you as the studio owner establish a schedule?:

As Berta points out, “If your teachers are independent contractors, this means students pay the studio for lessons and classes and the studio pays the teachers.”  For the fees you pay the teachers, you will need to supply them with a 1099 tax form by the end of January each year if you pay them more than a certain amount ($600).  An accountant or payroll service can do this for you, or there are some online services which are fairly inexpensive and can help you submit info electronically.

Read the entire article at http://www.musicschoolexperts.com/news/your-day-to-day-studio-business-team/

 About Dr. Michael and Berta Guevara

Musicians for almost 50 years and married for over 25, Dr. Michael Guevara and his wife, Berta, have been involved in the music school business for more than 10 years.  During that time, they have experienced incredible success!

Starting in 1985, in conjunction with his love of children and passion for music, Michael began to teach the piano to children within his local community out of his parent’s home. In that same year, Michael also began to perform music professionally through a ministry he founded, “Golden Trumpet Ministries.” In 1986, after receiving his BBA in Finance, Michael moved to Houston to begin a career in insurance, but also continued to help children learn music and continued to perform professionally, as his schedule allowed.

Berta also had an early start in music, first as a vocalist, and then self-taught herself how to play the guitar in order to perform at her local church.  Due to her proficiency in vocals and guitar, Berta was asked to lead the 11:00am service at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria, TX.  Coincidentally, around the same time, Michael was asked to lead the 9:30am service.

Berta also began a career in orthodontics, which spanned over 20 years.  During that time, she not only became one of the best within her profession (an orthodontic technician), but she also gained valuable office management experience, which would eventually prove invaluable.  Michael and Berta would later meet at The Galleria in Houston, in late 1989, eventually became best friends, and married in 1992.

In 2006, they decided that corporate life was no longer an avenue they wished to pursue, and after much careful consideration, with their love of music and of children, they decided to open their first school of music. Consequently, on June 1, 2007, The Conservatory of Music at Cinco Ranch was officially opened. Focusing on slow but steady growth, Michael and Berta grew The Conservatory of Music (now with two locations), to be the most awarded schools of music in the Katy, TX area, inclusive of being the only Founding School of the Royal Conservatory Certificate Program in the entire greater Houston area, and the only Steinway affiliated school in Katy, TX.

To grow their schools of music, Michael immersed himself in the study of all facets of marketing and business growth.  Meanwhile, Berta took on the responsibilities of running the office and providing exceptional customer service.  The result?  Michael and Berta developed a thriving music school business! In fact, between the years of 2011 – 2015, their music studio business averaged a growth rate of over 20% a year! Michael and Berta now wish to share their business insights not only with others in the music school business, but with other small business entrepreneurs as well. Michael is currently writing a book on this very specific subject, and they will be helping others through personal coaching and through their new website, www.MusicSchoolExperts.com

Michael is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and the Texas Music Educators Association, composed the music for the musical, Invasion of the Potty Snatchers by Houston playwright Jim Bain, and is also a speaker, business mentor and entrepreneur. Michael is a founding member of the Katy Jazz Association and was a member of the Katy Jazz Festival Committee. In his spare time, Michael is an avid fisherman, having authored two digital books on fishing (Flounder, The Basics and Bay Fishing Strategies Revealed) and enjoys playing golf and tennis.

Berta is an avid movie buff, and is in the process of writing a fantasy movie script, which she eventually hopes to see on the silver screen.  She is also an incredible cook and is working towards launching her own cooking channel on YouTube.  Berta is also a professional makeup artist, and still occasionally performs professionally as a vocalist.  Berta enjoys playing golf and fishing with her partner in crime, Michael.

As community servants, professional musicians, and business owners, the main thrust in their daily lives is to help people understand the importance of an education in music, of fine arts in general, and to help those with the same calling reach higher levels of success within their own school of music, all while making a positive impact within their local community.

You can connect with Michael and Berta at:

info@MusicSchoolExperts.com
www.MusicSchoolExperts.com

 

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