Story & Lesson Highlights with Michelle Daut & Adam Daut of Chandler

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michelle Daut & Adam Daut. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Michelle & Adam, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day can look a little different depending on what’s happening, but there are some consistent rhythms. In the morning, we usually start by checking and responding to emails and taking care of administrative tasks. A big part of our day is reviewing and managing the lesson schedule, making sure everything is organized and running smoothly.

We open the store at noon and make sure everything is set up and ready for the day. From there, we spend much of our time helping customers as they come in—whether that’s assisting with purchases, rentals, lesson inquiries, or dropping off instruments for repair.

Once lessons begin, the store really comes to life. We get to connect with our instructors, students, and their families, catch up, and make sure everyone has what they need. Running a small music store means no two days are exactly the same, but we try to handle most of the behind-the-scenes work earlier in the day so we can focus on engaging with our customers, students, and staff once the doors are open.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
We’re Michelle and Adam Daut, the owners of Mad Music in Chandler, Arizona. Mad Music is a locally owned, full-line music store serving Chandler and the greater East Valley, with a focus on making music accessible, welcoming, and community-driven.

What makes Mad Music special is that we truly are a one-stop shop for musicians of all ages and experience levels. We offer instrument sales, music lessons, rentals, and repairs all under one roof. On the retail side, we carry a wide selection of instruments—including guitars, basses, drums, and ukuleles—along with accessories, books, and supplies to support musicians at every stage of their journey.

Beyond retail, we’re deeply invested in music education and community connections. We offer in-store lessons for a variety of instruments and skill levels, provide general maintenance and instrument care, and partner with local music stores and school programs to support band and orchestra students through instrument rentals. Our goal has always been to create a space where students, families, and musicians feel supported, inspired, and excited to keep making music.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
For both of us, that would definitely be our parents. We grew up watching them work hard and lead by example, and those lessons stuck—whether we wanted them to or not. Their work ethic has shaped how we approach both life and running a business, and it’s something we still talk about (and lean on) all the time.

Michelle’s parents, especially, were a huge help when we were getting started. They’ve been incredible mentors and sounding boards along the way, and we’re really grateful we still get to call them for advice—sometimes just to confirm what we already know, and sometimes to be reminded to slow down and do it right.

When did you last change your mind about something important?
It was probably deciding to own a business! While it wasn’t something we necessarily changed our minds about, there’s a lot that goes into a decision like that—considering the risks, weighing different options, and going back and forth more than once. Like most people, we spent a lot of time thinking it through, but ultimately decided to move forward.

It was a big decision and an important shift in mindset, and looking back, it turned out to be a great one!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
That would definitely be Mad Music. It’s our long-term project, and we’re in it for the long haul. Over the years, we’ve built great relationships with local music stores, schools, and organizations, and we’ve made it a priority to really be part of the community—especially through our music lesson program.

When we think about “success,” it’s less about an end point and more about continuing to show up as a resource people can count on. That means listening, adapting, and finding practical (and sometimes creative) ways to support musicians, students, and families. As long as people want to make music, we plan on being there—probably with coffee in hand!

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If we retired tomorrow, our customers would probably miss Mad Music as a whole. It’s more than just a store—it’s the relationships, the conversations, and the sense of community that’s grown over time.

That said, no need to panic—we’re not retiring anytime soon, so everyone can rest easy for now!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://madmusicaz.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmusicaz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mad-music/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madmusicaz/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mad-music-chandler
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@madmusicaz