As the co-founder and owner of New Song School of the Arts, I haven't always believed in the power of saying yes. It has since become the cornerstone of our business philosophy. I, like many new entrepreneurs, operated from a place of fear, constantly saying no to new opportunities or challenges. However, being challenged by a business mentor of mine, I learned that the power of yes is a catalyst for growth and innovation.
Early on in my journey with NSSOTA, I was fortunate to have a mentor named Delton who challenged my approach. After sharing my vision with him, he confronted me with a simple yet profound question: why aren’t you moving forward toward your vision? At first, I was taken aback. I had poured my heart and soul into New Song. I relished in our small growth and successes, but Delton's question forced me to: a.) confront the reality that my fear of the unknown was holding us back, b.) humble myself, and c.) ask for help.
In that pivotal moment, I realized that by constantly saying no to opportunities because I didn't know how to do certain things, I was inadvertently stifling our potential. Delton's words ignited a fire within me to embrace the power of yes wholeheartedly. Instead of focusing on what I didn't know, I started asking myself, "How can we make this work?" This shift in mindset transformed the way we approached every aspect of our business.
Embracing the power of yes meant stepping out of our comfort zone and taking calculated risks. We began saying yes to collaborations, partnerships, and initiatives that seemed daunting at first. Rather than letting fear dictate our decisions, we embraced each new opportunity as a chance to learn and grow. And with each yes, we found ourselves one step closer to realizing our vision for New Song School of the Arts.
After stepping into the mindset of the power of yes, a world of opportunities unfolded before us. Not only did we see exponential growth in our business, but we also forged new friendships and connections that enriched our journey. Through what can only be described as supernatural circumstances, we crossed paths with two remarkable mentors who played pivotal roles in guiding us towards success. Their wisdom and guidance helped shape and refine our new business plan, propelling us further along the path to realizing our vision. Had we not shed the shackles of fear and embraced the unknown, we would have never encountered these invaluable mentors who have become integral to our journey.
Over time, our willingness to say yes opened doors we never thought possible. We expanded our offerings, reached new audiences, purchased our first commercial property, and forged meaningful connections within our community. While there were undoubtedly challenges along the way … and there still are, our unwavering belief in the power of yes propelled us forward, even in the face of uncertainty.
Today, as I reflect on our journey with New Song School of the Arts, I'm grateful for Delton's pivotal question and the lesson it taught me. By choosing the power of yes over the paralysis of fear, we've built a business that not only survives, but thrives. And as we continue to grow and evolve, I'm committed to embracing every opportunity that comes our way, knowing that with each yes, we're one step closer to achieving our dreams.
Full picture:
In 2015, when New Song School of the Arts was operating under the power of no, we had just over 60 students. At that time, our fear-based decision-making led us to turn away potential growth opportunities, hindering our progress. However, fast-forward to 2024, and the transformation is striking. Today, we have grown to almost 1300 students, a testament to the power of embracing yes. This remarkable growth wouldn't have been possible without our shift in mindset. By recognizing the limitations of our fear-based approach and embracing the unknown with open arms, we've unlocked the full potential of New Song. Our journey from hesitation to bold action serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, saying yes is the most transformative decision we can make.
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