Monthly Post: January - The Fight

With more research needed to be done, I had decided in the past month to focus more on music store operations aspects other than instrument repairs. What happened was rather a significant discovery into the unsaid rivalry between large chain music stores, such as Guitar Center and Sam Ash, and independent music stores.

To be frank, I was already aware of this when I first even considered doing music store operations as my topic. After all, I'm a frequent goer for both; I go to Sam Ash for the cheaper products, and I go to independent music stores for the people. What I never really knew was the history of which this quiet rivalry that traces back to 1996, and also the resurgence of independent stores and their forced yet successful adaptation to current times. Many articles that I've found on independent stores flaunt the fact that they are often far more personal and personable than large chain stores.

It's been crossing my mind that I interview different independent stores, more than the required 3, as to get more information to this whole situation. This conflict isn't really one that is commonly covered in newspapers or magazines. If I really want my presentation to be great, I have to be my own journalist to get my sources from.

Blog 12 - Third Interview Questions

1) (Essential Question) What is the best way to profit as an independent music store?
2) What should be of utmost importance in the music store operation?
3) What could be considered as a music store's appeal to customers?
4) What is the difference between a large chain music store and an independent one?
5) Continuing from Q4, which one is better?
6) Do independent music stores have a bigger responsibility to their community?
7) Can independent music stores utilize their better relationships to the community to their advantage?
8) How do we deal with independent music stores' tendencies to have higher prices than chain music stores?
9) How do we find potential employees that would be knowledgeable and suitable for the independent music store?
10) Are music classes necessary for a music store's livelihood?

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 Hours Check

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

I am doing my mentorship at The Music Store at Walnut.

2.   Who is your contact?

Owner of the store, Gene Iacono

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?

30 hours and 28 minutes.

4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.

I was told to simply observe, since I didn't know anything about working the store yet. I was shown the schedule binder, the cashier, the cashier software, the records software, the script for calls, etc.

5.   Email your house teacher the name of your contact and their phone number confirming who they should call to verify it.

Blog 10: Senior Project: The Holiday

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you over the break with your senior project?

I was too busy with other things during the break (college apps, sigh...), so I couldn't do much with my senior project. However, I did keep up my mentorship.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

I learned that it's really key for you to do all the things needed to run a music store (for ex., remember to tell students if their teacher's going to miss some lesson days) and not lag behind. Otherwise, things may start falling apart.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers of your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

Well, I would just usually talk to the owner of the music store, Gene Iacono. But, I did get a possible new mentor named Orlando (he fixes the music store's rental instruments and also owns his own music store) so I'll definitely talk to him.