What I've learned as the founder of a small business
Notes on growth, creativity, and community
When I first started Blue Balloon back in 2010, I didn’t have a business plan, a team, or even an office — just a simple belief that anyone could write a song, even from their very first lesson.
Unlike the classical tradition that’s centered around mastering an instrument before composing, I believe encouraging creativity and fostering each student’s unique sense of self expression is the key to joyful learning early on that lasts a lifetime. That idea became the backbone of Blue Balloon.
At the time, it was just me, teaching lessons after school while working full-time as a teacher at Saint Ann’s School in Brooklyn. Slowly, word started to spread. One by one, more families signed, and before I knew it, I had to make a choice. So, I left my day job to see how far I could take this little business that could. A friend offered to help me design a logo, and suddenly, Blue Balloon came to be.
In 2013, with the hopes of starting a family and taking a “maternity leave” from teaching, I brought other teachers into the fold who specialized in other instruments and had various teaching styles. That moment changed everything, and it was a pivotal moment in the growth of the company. I went on to find my strengths as a leader and began to scale this dream of a company. It stopped being just my thing and became our thing — a growing community of teachers and families who believed in this unique way of learning.
Today, Blue Balloon has grown far beyond what I ever imagined. We’re in seven cities, with over 75 incredible independent instructors in our network and a small (but mighty!) team of seven amazing people who keep everything running behind the scenes.
Our annual spring showcases now draw hundreds of families, everyone there to celebrate kids performing their own original songs (the highlight of our year!).
Blue Balloon has been featured in major publications like Instyle, The NYT, NY Mag, Forbes, and more! And while while I’m proud of that recognition, what matters most to me is that we’ve helped shape a movement in music education — one that centers songwriting, creativity, self-expression, and joy from day one.
A few lessons I’ve learned along the way
When I first started Blue Balloon, I was in my 20s and had no business degree, no investors, and absolutely no idea what I was doing (to be completely honest!). And truly, I think that’s what allowed me to take the leap. If I’d known how hard it would be, I might’ve been too scared to even begin! Sometimes not knowing what you don’t know is the very thing that gets you started.
Over the years, I’ve had to learn how to take all the ideas and systems that lived only in my head and put them on paper, so that other people could help me bring them to life. It took me a long time to realize that documenting processes, even when it feels slow, is an investment. It’s how you create space for yourself to dream, rest, and actually grow.
Delegation didn’t come naturally to me either. For a long time, I took on too much and thought I could do everything myself. Learning to let go and trust others has been one of the biggest lessons (and gifts) of running a business. When you find the right people who share your vision, everything expands — your impact, your time, and your sanity.
I recently sat down with Sarah Walton for her podcast Game On Girlfriend, and we talked about my entrepreneurial journey — the highs, the growing pains, and the lessons I’ve learned (and keep learning) along the way. You can listen to the full episode HERE.
The heart of It all: our students’ stories
At the end of the day, everything I’ve learned about creativity, growth, and balance comes back to this simple truth: it’s all about the people. The teachers who pour their hearts into every lesson, the families who trust us with their kids’ creativity, and most of all, the students who remind us every single day why we do what we do.
A common thread we hear again and again, whether a family has been with us for years or just a season, is that no matter how long their child stays with Blue Balloon, music becomes a part of who they are. Years later, they’re still playing, writing, and carrying the joy of music with them. To us, that’s the real success story.
Here are a few notes from families in our community:
“We are grateful to Blue Balloon, and especially her teacher Evan, for helping Keira navigate her way, developing her own style as a songwriter and a musician. Our family is forever grateful for your support of Keira and her talents.” — Tricia
“Thank you so much for creating Blue Balloon and hosting the annual spring showcase! I wish I could better describe how incredible it feels to see how much my daughter Charlotte lights up when she is making music and singing. She runs to the door to greet her teacher, Abby, and absolutely loves writing songs with her. Seeing her on stage last weekend was magical. Charlotte will cherish her memories of her first performance forever, and I will too.” — Marissa
“You helped spark my boys’ love for the keyboard and gave them the confidence to perform in public. We’re so grateful for our wonderful teacher, Gavin, and such a positive experience all around!” — Anna
“Andrew is very proud of his performance and was telling me he is going to be a ‘comedy piano performer.’ He also wore his badge so proudly the rest of the day and only took it off to take a shower.” — Caroline
Blue Balloon in the press
We’re so proud to see our mission recognized and celebrated!
Fall semester registration
Our fall semester is in full swing, and we’re still welcoming new students! If you’ve been thinking about lessons, now’s a great time to reach out — we’d love to find you a spot in our schedule.
