Meet Brett Blakemore

We were lucky to catch up with Brett Blakemore recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brett, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
There seems to be an endless amount of guitar instructors online so why would I even try to be one of them…

This is a thought that has come to my mind many times. Sometimes it still runs across my mind. You can’t help but think these types of thoughts when you start a business.

I would often think, why would someone buy a course or a lesson package from me when there are 1000’s of established guitar teachers on the internet?… I can’ t be good enough to do this can I?

These are just a few of the thoughts that ran through my head as I was building my newest website. It’s enough to make you not even want to try. But here’s the thing that got me over it…

I knew from years of playing gigs and teaching guitar that each person has something unique that they bring to the table.

I realized that people relate to other people for a lot of different reasons. I have a unique voice and an ability to teach in a very down to earth way that many people can relate to. I also know that I will do literally whatever has to be done to help a student reach the next level in their guitar playing journey.

I remember when someone first reached out to me for a class after seeing one of my YouTube videos. I asked what it was that made them reach out to me specifically and what they said surprised me.

He said that he just felt like I was in his living room teaching him guitar. This shocked me since it was a YouTube video he was watching online. I started to realized that it was my personality and approach that could set me apart from other guitar instructors in the online space.

Since that day I have really started to lean into this idea and this approach.

This has helped me feel more confident in my business journey. Even though I still get imposter syndrome at times, I just lean into the idea that I know I can help someone reach their next level and I would be doing a disservice to not keep moving forward in my journey.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Brett Blakemore and I run an online and local guitar school.

I help intermediate guitar players break through their guitar playing rut. My goal is to help these guitar players reach their next level of musicianship as well as guitar playing.

I do this with a learning pathway that I specifically designed over the last 15 years of teaching experience.

I teach students all over the world. I have students in Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands, as well as students in over 15 other states.

I love meeting students where they are on their guitar journey. I really enjoy the challenge of figuring out where a student is stuck. Once we figure that out I can show them where to begin in the curriculum that I’ve designed.

I know what it feels like to be stuck at a certain level of guitar playing. It’s frustrating to feel like you are so close to something great but when it comes to putting the pieces together it’s just not there.

It’s my goal to help students put the pieces together so they can reach their next level. It’s my goal to help students find as many lightbulb moments as possible. Those are the moments where something finally clicks and sends a shiver of excitement down your back. Those lightbulb moments help to motivate my students to keep reaching for their goals. That is what fuels me as a teacher and as a creative.

One of the most exciting and fun things about my job is watching students eyes light up when they have one of those lightbulb moments. Or when someone sends me an email or text saying that the classes or lessons are helping them in ways they never thought was possible.

I recently launched my brand new All Access Pass Membership that is 100% online. It’s specifically designed to help intermediate guitar players reach the next level. In the new program students get access to all of my current and future course offerings that are in line with the success pathway.

Students in the All Access Pass Membership get access to me through monthly live Q&A sessions. There are also monthly live teachings on highly requested content.

The membership also includes a thriving private community where they can meet other guitarists on the same path. I strongly believe that music is a community and based art form. It’s really important for students to meet others that are on the same journey. I know that without a musical community around me as a young guitar player I would’ve never reached the level of guitar playing that I have achieved to this day.

On top of the new program I also teach students locally in the Lee’s Summit area. My accelerated guitar program gives students the opportunity to learn with others that are the same age and skill level. Because they learn as a group they get that all important social and community aspect to their guitar lessons. Traditional lessons can get really stale so it’s important for me to give students the opportunity to meet others that are into the same things they are. It’s amazing to see the friendships that are formed in this program. It makes learning the guitar feel more like team effort. A little friendly competition helps a little as well.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I had great mentors and teachers that have helped me get where I am today. Without a community of guitar players that were also patient teachers I would never be the musician or teacher that I am.

Playing professionally for over 20 years gave me the tools to know exactly what students need to learn to really take their playing to that next level. There is a lot of guitar content out there so it’s nice to know what you really need to know and what you could leave out.

Patience is a key quality in growing a business as well as teaching others. I think having an easy to get a long with attitude and a truckload of patience is of the utmost importance. Sometimes it feels like you are doing a ton of work on your business and not seeing any results. You have to remember that you are storing up and building skills along the way that will 100% payoff in the future. The same thing is true of teaching, you have to be able to show someone the same ideas or techniques as many times as they need to hear it. That is truly a test of patience.

Be a life long learner… To be a good business owner and a good teacher you also have to be willing to constantly learn and adapt. Things change. Marketing changes, teaching techniques change, and your skillset has to be constantly evolving. I feel like Im in school for a masters degree in marketing right now lol!! So be ready to learn if you are wanting to start a business that you want to see grow over time.

Don’t be afraid to get outside of your comfort zone. One thing I have learned is that if you want to grow in your business you have to be able and willing to do things that make you feel uncomfortable. Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. That’s how you grow. I wouldn’t be wear I am today without trying things that made me feel crazy akward lol… Just keep going.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
Without know it my dad showed me how to start a business….

He helped me start a lawn mowing business when I was a kid and although I didn’t love it, I always enjoyed the independence that came with being my own boss.

He taught me to look people in the eye, shake hands firmly, and to always over deliver on my promise. My dad also taught me that hard work pays off. Several times he would have me mow over sections 2-3 times until it looked darn near perfect. I hated doing it but looking back I know exactly why he had me go the extra mile.

I remember when all of my friends were getting jobs at grocery stores or fast food places. They were barely making any money and here I was with a lawn mower strapped into the trunk of an old Honda Accord making $25-$35 an hour mowing grass.

I tried to get a regular job once in high school and quickly realized it was way better to run my own business. I loved the independence and the fact that I was my own boss.

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