Today marks the end of Key Changes Music Therapy Services first year in operation.

What a ride it has been. I’ve worried, I’ve cried, I’ve panicked, I’ve wanted to quit. I’ve gotten really excited, I’ve worked hard, I’ve been enthusiastic, I’ve made some pretty far-fetched projections.

In the early days of my blogging, I compared having a business to having a baby. I’m not sure if that is still true at this point because the only words I can find to define the first year of this business are “emotionally exhausting”.

So by all reports, yes, it is a baby.

In the spirit of openness and my desire to share my laughter, I’m going to share my Year One goals with you, and where I stand with them, as well as my What Next step in regards to them.

Year One Goals:

1.    To serve a private population in the community.

a.  KCMTS will serve at least 20 individual clients in its first year of operation.

b.  KCMTS will serve at least 20 group clients in its first year of operation.

2.   To Serve a public or private organization through contract services:

a.  KCMTS will serve at least one public or private contract.

3.   To educate the public about Music Therapy and KCMTS

a.  KCMTS will provide at least 3 in-services or seminars to caregivers or organizations.

4.   To contribute to the learning of others in the field of music therapy.

a.  KCMTS will participate in or present at SER-AMTA regional conference, as well as maintain good standing with the Music Therapy Association of South Carolina

 Okay, so that is what I hoped for. Here is how I did!

1.a. As of right now, I’m at 15 individual clients. Some have stayed, some have gone due to a variety of reasons. Obviously, this was a very lofty goal, but I thing that since I’m not too horribly far from the mark, I did a good job with not having a clue what I was doing!

What Next: The goal for Year Two is the same as this one, so I’m going to keep it and exceed it. Hopefully by the end of Year Two, I will have 20 clients at that time!

1.b. Reading this made me laugh out loud. I’ve had a few group attempts, but all except one have been failures. As of right now, I have successfully had a total of 6 children in a group setting that was not related to a contract. I currently see two for “group”.

What Next: Definitely going to reanalyze that one. I think I might try for a good number like 8.

2.a. I have met and exceeded this one! As of right now, I have 2 contracts, a 3rd pending negotiations, and a fourth on the horizon.

What Next: I don’t know that I will actively pursue other contracts after this one. My goal is for the mornings and early afternoon to be contract work, the later afternoon and early evening to be private clients.

3.a. Another goal knocked out of the park. I gave many, many presentations this past year. I’ve talked to caregivers, doctors, community members, facilities, healthcare professionals, and colleagues.

What Next: I’m going to do it again!

4.a. I presented at SER-AMTA (quite a bit, actually). In regards to MTASC, I was nominated and voted in as the president-elect, so that goal is set for the next three years at the least.

What Next: Do it again, and add in a provision that, if able to attend, I want to present at National Conference next year as well.

All in all, I don’t think I did a bad job. I’ve met most of my goals, and those that I didn’t, well, I think I was just shooting too high (which in itself isn’t a bad thing!). I now have a more realistic idea off what to   expect in the growth of my business, and can adjust my year two goals accordingly.

So my question for you: where are you at in your goals? Tell me in the comments!