A Reminder on Why I Wanted to Own a Music Store
CARMEN PAPALIA
In late October , Canadian Music Trade was sent this letter from Carmen Papalia , the owner of Ottawa Pianos . The store and music school is multi-generational family business that has been serving the Capital Region for over 50 years . With Carmen ’ s permission , we wanted to share her letter :
This pandemic has been a seismic event ! Most of us have worked more ferociously in the last seven months than ever before . Shelter in place , curbside , no-touch shopping , inventory shortages — it has not been easy for business owners . I can continue to prattle on about the problems , but how are we coping ? How do we get up every morning and do what we do ? How do we deal with the unknown ? So many questions and so few answers .
Let us start with what we do know . We are in the music industry and as I have said many times to anyone who would listen , “ It is music , it is a great industry to be in .” We are not in the financial industry where we tell someone , “ no , you cannot have the loan ,” or the health field where we must say , “ no , there is no cure .” We are in music where we say things like , “ yes , music is great for your mental health ,” or “ yes , music can lift your spirit ,” and “ yes , taking up an instrument at any age is a positive thing .” We should be shouting these things from the mountain tops . Write to your radio station ; they are always looking for great interviewees . What could be better than talking to an expert in the industry ? We have an answer ! MUSIC !
A music school owner can speak about the benefits of lessons . A guitar dealer can speak about how to get back to playing . And guitars can be picked up curbside ! A sheet music seller can speak about the great learning material , or talk about the new “ Calming Piano Series ” or picture chord book that just arrived . A piano seller can speak of the benefits of a digital piano . That simple little “ button ” ( the headphone jack ) is very important these days when you have been working all day from home with toddlers underfoot and now it is 10 p . m . and you just want to unwind and play . We can all speak about the benefits of music . You are the experts ! What do you know ? Start posting on social media about the benefits of music . Share your knowledge . Share your music ! We the owners are wearing many hats : creators of social media content , administrators , sales staff , cleaners , and most importantly motivators . We must motivate ourselves and our team . It is not easy . Take some of that advice about music and its benefits — drink your own Kool-Aid . It is a serious time , but that does not mean we cannot find anything positive . Be the store that is still welcoming , with proper protocols , of course . Be the store that offers something that can make life better .
Start your day with whatever music lifts you . Santana ’ s “ Smooth ” works for me .
Smile before you pick up the phone . It works , try it !
Respond to an email , immediately ! Completing a task is satisfying and satisfaction is another mood enhancer .
Greet your team with a smile and say “ good morning ” like you mean it .
I certainly do not profess to have all the answers . We are music store owners , we chose this life , and we will overcome these uncertain times .
- € Carmen Papalia , Ottawa Pianos
CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE 19