The Symphony of Faith and Business: How Erica Calvert Harmonizes Calling and Creativity

In the bustling world of entrepreneurship, where ambition often takes center stage, Erica Calvert, founder of Airshine Music School, offers a refreshing melody. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of faith, demonstrating how a deep connection to God's calling can orchestrate a business that not only thrives but also profoundly impacts lives.

Erica's story begins not in a boardroom, but in a recording studio, where she found herself on the administrative side of the glass. While grateful for the operational insights gained in public radio fundraising, a profound realization struck her during a live jazz broadcast: she was meant to be on the other side, making art. This wasn't merely a desire for creative expression; it was a conviction that she was not fully flourishing, not truly being faithful to the calling God had placed upon her to be an artist and musician. This pivotal moment sparked the vision for Airshine Music School, founded in 2010 with a mission to cultivate lifelong music makers through collaborative teaching and a vibrant community.

The Dance of Creativity and Entrepreneurship

For Erica, the integration of creativity and entrepreneurship is a grand dance. The artist in her fuels the pioneering spirit of the business, constantly seeking innovative ways to inspire and educate. Conversely, the demands of building a solid business foundation ensure that her artistic endeavors have a platform to flourish. It’s a symbiotic relationship where each role informs and elevates the other, creating a dynamic and purposeful enterprise.

Erica's leadership is deeply rooted in her identity in Christ. She leads with integrity, humility, and a constant reliance on prayer. The biblical narratives of the Promised Land resonate powerfully with her entrepreneurial journey. Like Joshua and Caleb, she faces moments where the vision seems distant, yet she clings to the belief that God can and will bring it to pass. The constant cry for deliverance from the struggles of building a business, coupled with gratitude for the difficulties, forms a core part of her spiritual practice. This blend of strategic vision and tactical, day-to-day prayer allows her to navigate the complexities of business with divine guidance.

Faith-Guided Decisions and Divine Direction

A significant turning point in Erica's journey illustrates the profound impact of faith-guided decisions. In 2018, a previous location for Airshine Music School, despite initial growth, faced challenges due to misaligned hiring decisions and a lack of clarity in integrating her faith into the business. The closure of this location, which felt like a personal failure and the end of a dream, became a period of profound spiritual re-gathering. God used this time to impress upon her the critical need for community and rest. This “death and resurrection” experience, as she describes it, led her to a faith-based business co-op, a strategic move that has since allowed Airshine Music School to flourish in a supportive and collaborative environment.

This experience solidified Erica's approach to her business: while Airshine Music School is not explicitly a faith-forward business, her kingdom vision permeates every aspect. She intentionally hires believers who share her mission of changing lives through music, guiding students to embody Christ-like values such as truthfulness, stewardship of gifts, and community service. These principles, while distinctly Christian, also resonate with a broader message of using art for good.

Generosity, Community, and Kingdom Impact

Erica's perspective on time, talent, and treasure is equally shaped by her faith. Recognizing these as gifts from God, she strives to be generous, dedicating her time to teaching, mentoring, and leading her team, as well as volunteering in her church's kids' worship and musical productions. Her passion for music education extends to a desire to provide scholarships for underprivileged students, particularly immigrant and refugee families, recognizing music's profound impact on generational wealth and empathy. She eloquently describes music's unifying power, citing a study where musicians and audience members' heartbeats synchronized, offering a glimpse of heaven's unity.

For fellow Christian business leaders, Erica offers a powerful word of encouragement: quiet your heart and mind, and come into God's presence. In a world that constantly demands action, she advocates for taking Mary's path, sitting at the feet of Jesus. She emphasizes that walking in one's own strength will not lead to faster or better outcomes; instead, God's power is made perfect in our weakness. By bringing our weaknesses to Him and boldly asking for His intervention, we invite a true partner into our calling. He desires the advancement of His kingdom even more than we do, and He will accomplish things far beyond what we can ask or imagine for His glory and sake.

A Lasting Legacy: The Harmony of Calling and Creativity

Erica Calvert's journey with Airshine Music School is a beautiful symphony of faith, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It's a powerful reminder that when we align our business with God's calling, we not only build successful enterprises but also create lasting impact, harmonizing our earthly endeavors with the eternal rhythm of His kingdom.