Story & Lesson Highlights with Nick Jensen of North Phoenix

Nick Jensen shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Nick, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Who are you learning from right now?
I’m learning a ton about marketing and business from Alex Hormozi and Dan Martell, and I’ve been putting those lessons into practice at Strum University to help us grow and serve more families. On the music side, I’m always picking up inspiration from other guitar educators and musicians to keep my teaching fresh. And honestly, I learn a lot from my students and my kids, too – they constantly push me to stay curious, adaptable, and creative.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Nick Jensen, founder of Strum University here in North Phoenix. We’re a music lesson school that focuses not just on teaching kids and adults how to play, but on helping them fall in love with music and gain confidence through it. What makes Strum unique is our focus on community. We bring students together through programs like our Rock Band classes, open mic nights, and performance opportunities that make learning exciting and social.

My story started with a love for guitar that was passed down from my dad, and it’s grown into this vision of creating a place where students don’t just take lessons, but become part of a musical family. Right now, we’re working on expanding our programs – from group choir to new bands, and continuing to find fresh ways to connect with families in our community.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when I first got on stage with my guitar as a teenager. I realized music could actually move people – seeing the crowd respond to something I was creating was such a rush. That moment lit the spark for me, and it’s part of why I’m so passionate about giving our students those same opportunities to perform and find their confidence.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There were definitely moments where I thought about giving up, both as a musician and as a business owner. When the challenges stacked up, it was tempting to walk away. But every time, I came back to the ‘why’ behind what I do: helping people connect with music and giving students confidence. That reminder kept me going, and I’m grateful I pushed through because those tough seasons ended up being the times I grew the most.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say that what really matters to me is people – my family, our students, our team. Whether it’s at home or through Strum University, they know I’m passionate about creating a positive impact, building community, and helping others grow.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people will say that I used music to make a difference. That I helped students not only learn an instrument, but also find their confidence and creativity. That I created a place where people felt encouraged, inspired, and part of something bigger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.strumuniversity.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strum_university/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StrumUniversity/