Community Highlights: Meet Phil St. Germain of Guitar Merchant

Today we’d like to introduce you to Phil St. Germain.

Hi Phil, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Guitar Merchant in 1999. At the start Guitar Merchant was just a website. One year later we shared a space in a small store that sold vinyl. A few years later we were leased a bigger location that was once a piano store, the store has a space for piano recitals, so we begin doing shows Our vision was to have under one roof, a retail guitar store, rooms for music lessons, and a live venue. The vision was create a store where a person could buy a guitar, learn to play it, and have a stage to share and perform music. It has been 25 years and today, in our new location, we continue to support our support musical community.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to opening a small business is not a smooth road. Our business plan did not go to plan, When I leased the bigger location and signed a big check, I gave myself the option that I had no option but to make it work.
The first 5 years I dug myself a hole in dept to keep the business going and worked a 2nd shift job to create needed revenue. If I did not believe and love what I was doing, I would have given up long ago. I tell anyone that if you do not love what you are doing, what is the point? I believe the more people who play music the better this crazy world will be.
I am on a mission now. WORLD PEACE THROUGH MUSIC.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Guitar Merchant sells guitars and other stringed instruments, we do music lessons, most instruments, all ages. We also have a musical venue where we do musical performances.
Guitars, sales and repairs
Musical lessons
Live music venue

What sets us apart is our outstanding customer service. We do more that business, we create relationships with our music community. We were voted one of the top musical retailers last year. It is our customer service and community service that sets up apart from the big box boys.

We recently became a Guild guitar dealer. We are proud of the selection of guitars and accessories we provide.

“Follow your heart and live your dreams” Do the thing in life that you love to do the most, as it will serve the universe in the best way.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, I believe, is the satisfaction you feel when you know you are making the world a better place.
Music I know makes the world a better place.

Pricing:

• Guitars from $199

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.guitarmerchant.com
• Instagram: theguitarmerchant
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC_baJpvLsacivpdVZe0VYA
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/guitar-merchant-west-hills