So remember that whole thing about me running a private practice? Believe it or not, that's still going on.
I haven't exactly been rolling in clients (as you may guess from the continued Thrift Store posts) but I'd been finding enough work that I didn't have to shut down yet, and that orchestra class got me back on my feet financially. So I've been hanging in there, despite some more disappointments and small failures. I kind of hit a bit of a plateau; not really getting anywhere, but at least not losing any ground either. Which was actually the source of some prayer and fasting and temple visits in April while I tried to figure out how I could get some traction in my life.
And then May and June happened, and my life turned back into a roller coaster.
Hang in there, this is going to be a bumpy multi-post ride.
At the end of April, I got an invitation in the mail to a ribbon cutting for a local business. Not really noteworthy; I made the dubious choice of joining my local chamber of commerce last year and ever since I've been somewhat inundated with contact from businesses in the area, usually wanting $300 or so for me to advertise in a golf program or something. But this local business was worth another look-- a brand new assisted living facility, not far from where I live. Which meant there was maybe a business opportunity.
I managed to negotiate my shifts at the thrift store so I could attend the ribbon cutting. The whole thing was pretty quick; a couple of short speeches, then they gave a little old woman (their first resident) a pair of scissors so big she needed a fireman to help her hold them to cut the ribbon. Then they had a little time afterward for snacks and chit chat.
Steeling myself against my typical social anxiety, I approached the director and introduced myself. Awkward silence. I had no idea what to say. He, kindly, made a lame joke and excused himself. Not a great start.
But I took a deep breath, found someone else important looking, and tried again. This time I found the office manager, and managed to make some vague statements about how much I loved working with dementia clients before asking if we could exchange business cards. To my pleasant surprise, she asked for two cards so she could give one to the memory care director.
And to my utter shock, a few days later the memory care coordinator gave me a call. Which turned into a kind of awkward text message conversation--which, somehow, turned into a consultation meeting.
Basically, it turns out I was in the right place at the right time. (I'm inclined to attribute this to Divine intervention). Though the people at this facility didn't know a lot about music therapy, they had heard recommendations from several sources recently to look into it, and I just happened to get my card in the door at the right time. So I got my first "business to business client". And made a good impression with the first session--most of the memory care clients responded very well to music, but in particular there was a woman who's hardly spoken in days ever since a change in medications. But I got her to sing You Are My Sunshine-- every word-- and have a short conversation with me at the end. Music Therapy works, guys!
So now I'm doing more work in geriatric, and I have to say I'm enjoying it. I'd almost forgotten how much fun leading a group can be, since for a long time now I've only done one-on-one. I've been immersed in music from the 30s and 40s but I don't mind that. And-- and for once it feels like I can maybe learn how to run this business after all.
Of course, then I had to get ready for another attempt at the Summerfest-- and my first of two ER visits for the summer-- but that's a story for next time.
(I'm not sure I've ever ended on a cliffhanger before with this blog! It's Ok, I only needed four stitches. That time.)
