Violettes' Exclusive Interview with Things 4 Strings Owner, Ruth Brons
Things 4 Strings® accessories for beginning string players was created with the imagination and determination of violist/violinist Ruth Brons, and her mother, cellist, Martha Brons. Initially developed for students in their own studios, their Bow Hold Buddies® and Cellophant® aids make easy the typically difficult to learn bow hand position.Because of this impressive music accessory entrepreneurial business, 2 local musicians recommended that I call Ruth Brons as I was about to dive into my Violettes by Becky endeavor. Ms. Brons was glad to share a gold mine of information from her experiences with manufacturers, wholesalers, music conventions, lawyers, shipping and social media. Several years later, I still contact Ruth with occasional business questions!
- 1. Violettes: I am always fascinated by stories about how people got started and grew up with music, and what made them passionate about it. My own grown children are very talented musicians, but are not picking up their instruments to relax and have fun as I grew up doing. What is your story? And why Viola?
Things4Strings: My great-grandmother gave piano lessons, my grandfather played banjo in a professional jazz ensemble throughout high school & college and, later, organ at church. My mother is a fine cellist, and my father enjoyed playing old-timey piano by ear. My brother loves playing blue grass guitar. Music is so much a part of who I am, it was a given. I enjoyed choir, handbells, piano and cello up through grade school. But in high school I discovered the viola, and loved both its sound and varied roles in orchestra and chamber music. 2. Violettes: Clearly, both you and your mother are award winning musicians and music educators. I’ll bet watching your Mom in action made it very attractive to follow footsteps. Are there any stories behind you becoming interested in music education? Things4Strings: I actually went off to college thinking I would be double majoring in Viola Performance and Special Education. But progressing in music was an all-consuming path. Mom and I took quite a few Suzuki teacher training courses together during semester breaks, and I was hooked on teaching by the time I started working on my Master’s Degree in Viola Performance!3. Violettes: You won several awards for your entrepreneurship. Can you tell us something about them? Things4Strings: From the beginning of this project I have sought out – and heeded – the best advice I could find. A high school principal with a business background, who generously gave me a morning of his time within weeks of my “big idea” in 2008, greeted me with: “Congratulations! You have just invented yourself a full-time unpaid job.” So I was definitely warned about the work! Now approaching the fifth anniversary of our 2009 product launch, it has been an honor to have been awarded 8 US and international patents, and to be recognized as a top Leading Women Entrepreneur of New Jersey, an honored New Jersey Family Business and the winner of the Invention Lives in West Orange Contest. 4. Violettes: Do you have a favorite music teacher story?Things4Strings: Gosh! Each lesson is its own great story of honesty, connection and growth - which is why I absolutely love teaching! A student once confided in me that when she plays music, she goes to a special place. I know that place too, and it is so satisfying to know that I helped her enjoy her visits there.
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