Woman Behind The Work: Jessica Peresta

Today I got to learn more about the amazing, Jessica from The Domestic Musician!  Jessica is a wife to an amazing man and mom to 3 little boys. She is a former public school elementary music teacher and piano lesson instructor who is turning her love for teaching music into online teaching.  She would like every child to have an opportunity to learn music through lessons (traditional or online), home music education, and in schools.  Let’s learn more about her and her fabulous business!

The Woman

• How long have you been a WAHM/Blogger/Working Mom?

  I started a personal family blog when I was pregnant with our first son 7 years ago. I have always loved to write and to teach so decided in September of 2016 to start a business blog and am loving it so much!

• What did you do prior to owning your own business?

  I taught elementary music, taught piano lessons, played piano for numerous choirs and soloists, and raise my kiddos.

• Who has been your main influence?

  Honestly, any educator who is making a difference in the life of a child.

• Do you have children? 

  I have 3 little boys-6, 4, and 1.

• Tell me a little bit about your typical day.

  Oh my gosh, where do I start! Ha! So after getting our oldest son ready for school and out the door, I get the middle child ready for preschool and feed him and his youngest brother. Then, laundry, writing, social media sharing, laundry, lunch, clean some, planning my videos, help with homework, play with my kids, do nighttime activities like soccer, cub scouts, worship rehearsal, and so much more. Every day is a little bit different and I always say I feel like I’m a human juggler.

• How do you juggle work and family?

  I have to be intentional with my time and try to only work when the boys are napping or asleep, but of course, that’s not always the case. And, I make sure we have family and friend time because it is so important.

  

• What do you like to do just for fun? What are your hobbies, or favorite past times?

  I like to play keys on my church worship team, love to be outside whether it’s camping (more like glamping actually), going to a park, or just being in my yard), coffee dates with friends, watching Netflix with my hubby, and watching the Razorbacks play football (go Hogs).

• What are your personal goals for 2016-2017? What do you hope to accomplish?

  I would love to find people to collaborate with, want to continue making quality online music education videos, want to start working on an online piano course, more social media and blog followers, and make my business more well known.

• If you had two hours just for you, what would you spend them on?

  I would take a nap or get a massage. Not a lot of quiet happens in my house and oh my gosh that sounds like sweet heaven.

  The Work

• What do you feel has brought you the most success in promoting your business, blog or brand?

  I have found some pretty great Facebook groups that I have posted some of my blog posts in and people have been great about reposting my content.

• What has been your biggest business related challenge?

  I am not knowledgeable about all of the technology stuff out there and setting up my website caused several headaches. I’m kind of learning as I go and am so fortunate to have an amazing husband who knows all things computer and an amazing friend who is a blogging genius to help.

  

• What is your signature product or your personal favorite blog post?

  My personal favorite blog post is the one I wrote about why music education is so important. I feel like people who aren’t musical don’t understand the full value of why music education is so necessary and how helpful it is to children.

• What are your 2016-2017 business goals?

  I would like to grow my business content and to establish myself in the social media world as the go-to music education online teacher.

• Do you have any advice for other WAHM, Bloggers, or business women who are just starting out?

  It…takes…time…I am the type of person who has goals and wants to see them happen in like the next two minutes. Everything takes time and lots of patience. If you got your website going, that’s awesome. If you had a blog post shared on Pinterest you’re doing great. Just be patient and every day and week and month you’ll see slow growth.

• What are you most proud of, either business or personal?

  I am proud of being able to juggle being a mom and wife and starting my own business. I truly think you can do whatever you set your mind to and can juggle it all if you order your priorities.

• What do you feel some of the pros/cons are of working for yourself?

  I have to manage my time, set my own deadlines, and stay on top of everything I need to do. It is easy to get distracted since I don’t have a boss who is telling me what needs to be done at a certain time. Being an entrepreneur is completely awesome!

• Please share anything else you would like readers to know.
  If you know of anyone who is looking for quality online music education lessons please send them my way. I will be teaching the same lessons I taught when I was in the public school setting. Also…be sure to stay tuned as I will be launching an online piano course soon.

Thank you, Jessica for sharing a little piece of you and your business. I wish you the best of luck on all your future adventures!

For more information, please visit Jessica at The Domestic Musician or The Domestic Musician Facebook Page.