Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Johnson.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Steve. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve worked in the music industry in multiple capacities; performing, education, repair & retail for well over a decade at this point. When the need arose in Boston for a pro-shop specializing in Wind & Brass instruments I worked together with the Small Business Administration to put together a business plan and, after a long process, was able to open Virtuosity in 2015.
We now have a staff of four and continually work to find the best and latest instruments and accessories to suit our clients’ needs. We’re incredibly lucky to have three of the largest music schools in the country, as well as the storied Boston Symphony Orchestra, all within a short walk of our location and always look forward to meeting new up-and-coming musicians.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As with any retail operation, there is always a constant fear of the unknown. Whether it be a product availability issue, inclement weather, technical glitches or any other nightmare inducing scenario for a small business owner, its something that we try to keep in mind to keep things on an even keel.
I won’t lie, at first it was pretty scary not knowing how the market would respond and what our sales figures would be on a day-to-day basis, and of course there’s always the hidden expenses that rear their ugly head in those first few months. I spent many nights trying to go through things in my head hoping I’d remembered to take care of all that needed to be done.
Now that we’re in a growth phase I’m sure we’ll continue to face new challenges regularly, but with the experience we’ve gained, we will have the tools to address them effectively. We have more bodies involved now and I have learned to delegate (not as easy as one might think) so that we can handle a larger workload and reach a broader audience without overtaxing ourselves.
Virtuosity – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Virtuosity is a musical instrument proshop focused on Wind and Brass instruments. This includes trumpets, trombones, saxophones, clarinets, flutes and more. We carry new, used, vintage and antique instruments as well as the accessories that accompany them.
The vast majority of our instruments are hand-made professional instruments that are being played by musicians around the world. Musical instruments are pieces that are highly personal and require a sit-and-try period.
We have a staff of professional musicians who can help guide our customers whether they are new to the process or have been playing all their life. Shops like Virtuosity are certainly a rarity in today’s retail marketplace, but our location, inventory selection and expert advice serve to set us apart in the industry.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Just opening the doors to something I could call my own was certainly a major high point. However, as cliche as it sounds, improving the customer experience and gaining more notoriety in the music community makes me prouder each day as a business owner.
Contact Info:
- Address: 234 Huntington Ave Boston, MA 02115
- Website: virtuosityboston.com
- Phone: 617.530.1993
- Email: info@virtuosityboston.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/virtuosity_boston
- Facebook: facebook.com/virtuosityboston
- Twitter: @virtuositybosto
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/virtuosity-musical-instruments-boston
Image Credit:
Toby Oft, Bryan Ruocco
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