Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Christine Schneider, founder of The Visceral Voice, located in New York City, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

The Visceral Voice functions primarily as an online training platform for voice teachers, speech therapists, performers, and personal trainers who are interested in taking care of the professional voice. We have an 18-week voice/body self-care program that I run twice a year, with the winter/spring term beginning January 27, 2023. We hold an annual voice conference called OneBody/OneVoice which will be held in New York City this summer, June 17-18, 2023. I hold several experiential anatomy classes throughout the year with various colleagues. We have several classes being offered this winter/spring with my colleagues Andrew Byrne and Jared Trudeau. I have a podcast titled The Visceral Voice, which has free educational content with some of the best in the field.

LifeLight Massage Therapy PLLC is the name of my private practice in New York City. We specialize in therapy for professional voice users (broadway performers, opera singers, sports broadcasters, fitness instructors, teachers, lawyers, and anyone who uses their voice as part of their profession). The therapy includes laryngeal, TMJ, and medical massage geared towards function, rehabilitation, and maintenance of the voice. As of right now, I have three associates that work with me. I am also beyond thrilled to be the movement coach for the 2022-23 Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera.

Tell us about yourself

I was a professional singer for many years before I became a manual therapist. Back when I was in high school, I underwent a life-saving thoracic surgery that would later influence my career path. I was still performing eight shows a week when I opened and started my private practice, Lifelight Massage Therapy PLLC, in New York City. I think it was extremely comforting to my clients to know that I was also a professional performer. I knew the demands of the industry, I knew what it took to maintain vocal longevity for a long run of a Broadway show (my longest run was three years), and I knew the amount of discipline it took to keep the performance at the highest level. I made a choice to stop performing when I had my daughter 7 1/2 years ago. And at this point, I love what I do so much that I am not concerned about whether I will ever go back. I love supporting all of the amazing artists who get out on stage night after night. They continue to inspire and amaze me. And I am grateful to be considered part of their team!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I would say my greatest accomplishment in regard to manual therapy is running a private practice where we solely see professional voice users. I remember in school, I had to choose a demographic to write a business plan, and after handing in the assignment, my professor asked to see me after class. He told me this demographic was far too small and I would have to choose another demographic. I was also a long-distance runner, so I re-wrote the assignment for runners. But I am glad that I trusted my intuition and created my private practice for the demographic that I am passionate about. And in regard to my online training program, I would say my greatest accomplishment was not limiting myself as a manual therapist to only hands-on or in-person. There is so much that can be accomplished if you allow yourself to get creative.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

The hardest thing for me is the financial component. I am good at scheduling and answering calls, texts, and emails. But bookkeeping, financials, and budgeting don't come naturally to me. It can also be challenging to set rates and enforce cancellation policies and fees. I had great mentors who helped me at the beginning of setting up my business, and now I have mentored several others at the start of their businesses. Having a mentor is incredibly helpful.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

In regards to starting a private practice or something similar, I would say:

Setting your rate - What is the rate in your area for a similar service? Set your rate in that bracket and offer discounts and special offers until your business gets busier. It is very easy to offer discounts, but incredibly challenging to start with a rate of $75 and leap to $150 1-2 years later.

Get creative about networking. What makes your product or service special, and who needs it? Who would want it? Who would recommend it? These are different networking groups, for example, for my specialization.

  • Who needs it? People diagnosed with a vocal pathology, MTD, or someone that gets fatigued with vocal production.
  • Who wants it? People with a heavy vocal demand assist with vocal maintenance and longevity.
  • Who recommends it? Voice teachers, speech therapists, laryngologists, ENTs, company managers, and stage managers. Including all of these groups widens my network.

Try to be 1% better every day. This is a motto I recently picked up from a book my husband is reading called 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear. I repeat this to myself several times a day. When I wake up, and the bed isn't made, I think about this and make the bed. When there is a cup that needs to go downstairs, when there is an email to answer, when there is an invoice to send, when there is a meeting to schedule, editing a podcast needs work. Little things that take a small moment of time, but when combined, make a huge difference. What can you do to be 1% better every day?

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.thevisceralvoice.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevisceralvoice/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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