Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandrea Burroughs.
Sandrea, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Music On Wheels Academy was birthed out of life struggles. I was depressed due to marital challenges, my newborn baby was battling respiratory airway disease, which turned into pneumonia, and I hated my job in the banking industry.
In 2004, I had to make a tough decision at 32 years old. What did I want my life to look like? Thus, through prayer and sacrifice, Music On Wheels was born. As tough as it was financially, I quit my job in March of 2004 because I realized that my entire family was sick. My husband was an alcoholic, my infant was in the hospital battling for his life, and my three-year-old child was acting out badly in childcare. I needed employment with flexibility so that I could face the war against my family with strength and figure out solutions without the pressure of corporate America.
In three months, I managed to nurse my infant back to health in the hospital so that he could come back home, I got counseling for my marriage, and kept both of my children at home with me to begin the healing process for my family. However, financially, we were struggling. My husband worked, but it was not enough to support all of our bills. Thus, in June of 2004, I decided to start giving music lessons to children. I had been taking piano and voice lessons since I was eight years old and continued through college. Before marriage, I received a Bachelor Of Arts degree at the University Of South Carolina where I studied English, Music, and Education. I also played keyboards and sang on traveling bands every weekend as a hobby for many years. I played piano and organ for many churches as well. Thus, I decided to use these skills to my advantage.
My strategy to get students were going from daycare to daycare, offering parents and schools my services. This made it easy for me to bring my own children with me as I worked. I started out with five students that I taught at local daycare facilities. By the end of the year, I had almost 50 students. Eventually, I opened an office in the city of Marietta, GA and began to hire help. In 2006, God gave me my first breakthrough that changed my family and business. We were introduced to a woman named Dr. Rhonda Travitt who ministered to the heart of my family. She led us to a better relationship with God and helped our family get delivered from the turmoil that we were going through as a family. This divine meeting saved my marriage that was filled with much distrust and betrayal. It also started a business relationship with Dr. Travitt and myself where we were able to work together. As I assisted her in building the church, she assisted me in building my business.
Now, after 14 years of business, Music On Wheels became an academy that not only teaches piano and voice, but also strings, drums, dance, and theater. We have taught thousands of students throughout the years and currently serves the local county school systems within the community. We also teach at our two office locations. The Adventures Of David & Isaac music book curriculums were also born and published by us to teach children piano lessons. This book line was named after my two children David and Isaac. We are currently building on this series which will also include videos and songs. We have also started the Miracle Foundation Of Arts & Academics where we homeschool children for parents Monday through Friday. It includes the arts. I am thankful to God that through this business, I was able to homeschool my own children for eight years and work on my marriage. My husband and I now run these businesses together. We have been together for 22 years. To God Be All The Glory!!!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road. Having a business is like birthing and raising a child. You have to have the faith to start it and deal with the birthing pains in the beginning. This takes much work. If you would not give up on your child, don’t give up on your business no matter how challenging it gets. It must be nurtured through trials and tribulations, as well as through victories. How you raise this business will determine it’s character and success both physically and spiritually in the world. The Bible says a good name is better than riches. Thus, you must focus on maintaining a good name by making sure that you build trust with your customers, quality service, and a good product. If you focus on the money, you will lose. Although you have to make a living, you must remember that in the beginning stages, the quality of your product, service, and brand makes the biggest difference in sales and whether you keep customers. Take time to develop it and add more to build your reputation as a vendor. You WILL make mistakes, but it’s alright. There were many piano teachers when I started, as well as many vendors giving lessons in music and arts. The struggle was trying to find my place in it. How could I draw my own customers? What would make me different? You must remember that your business may be that of many other businesses doing the same thing. Therefore you have to define your business and yourself in this saturated market.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Music On Wheels Academy/Miracle Foundation Of Arts & Academics story. Tell us more about it.
Music On Wheels Academy is a school of the arts that teaches piano, voice, strings, drums, dance, and theater. I am the CEO/Director. We are known within the Cobb and Cherokee County school system as well as in the community. Most people know us for piano and voice lessons, although we teach other genres. We are most proud of our music book curriculum that we sell in our online store, “The Adventures Of David & Isaac.” It has been a key factor in teaching piano classes where we serve up to 15 kids in a classroom at one time within the local school systems. This sets us apart, as well as the fact that we offer convenience. We will travel to schools, or to client homes for lessons corporately or privately. We service churches as well. Lessons are also conducted at our office location. Students are trained heavily in theory and technique. We have trained students to play professionally as well as helped graduating seniors pass college music auditions.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
The most important advice I could give a woman is to not doubt yourself, your gift, or your dream. Give it to the Lord in prayer and hold on. There are many people who will think that your dream is impossible. However, you should not think that way. Many people thought I was crazy to stay with my husband and quite a great corporate job. However, we are in charge of our destiny. If I would have listened, I would be divorced, and still working a job I hated. You have to believe in yourself and make your own decisions that you are willing to live with. So, don’t doubt yourself because of what others say, or because of FEAR. Be bold, stand your ground, and DO NOT give up. Through prayer, God will open opportunities. It does not mean that it will be easy, and sometimes the finances may not even be there. However relax, give it to the Lord, and every day keeps trying and focus on the dream. It will manifest itself into something great if you hold on.
Contact Info:
- Address: Main Office Location: 1000 Cobb Parkway North, Ste F, Marietta, GA 30062
- Website: www.musiconwheelsga.com
- Phone: 678-697-4706
- Email: sandrea@musiconwheelsga.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/MusiconWheelsGa
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrvZalNvKiCHHdiadKKWilA
Image Credit:
Michael Walker, Michael Crute
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