Woman-Run Business

I was at the Business Excellence Awards on June 1st that our firm, Pushor Mitchell LLP, had the pleasure of sponsoring.

I wanted to reach out to you and congratulate you on your nomination for the Green & Sustainability Award: you should be pleased with the efficient work you have accomplished!

On a personal note, I find your business fascinating. I am on the Board at Opera Kelowna, and I admire the work you are doing within our region.

Once again, I wanted to pass on our congratulations from everyone here at Pushor Mitchell LLP to you on your nomination. We hope to see you next year.

Congratulations on being awarded the Chamber of Commerce Environmental Leadership Award!

I have so much respect for you and all aspects of your business. The decision for Small Business of the Year was extremely close and truly a difficult decision, however somehow I knew you would win one award or another.

Listening and learning about your story, and how your business has grown was truly inspiring.

You reminded me of the quote, "settle for more." This is based off the fact that you have worked who hard that you have come to a point where you are truly content with where your business is.

That is really the goal that everyone tries for, and it is rare to see someone accomplish this.

Keep up the amazing work — and thank you for taking the time to meet with me.

What I like about the violins modeled after the Cannone is the power and the dark sonorous notes of the lower range and the sweet, mellow, round tones of the upper range; never shrill.

They are both incredible works of art.

I appreciate you mentioning the Stankov but I would like to support a woman in a male dominated field. It doesn't hurt her [Moneff's] violins are achingly beautiful. :)

I've retired from software engineering and I always felt for the women I worked with often times being undervalued by male managers. I worked with one very gifted software engineer and I can remember her frustration in meetings when she would answer a manager's question and the manager would look to me to corroborate when she had far more expertise in the specific problem.

Thank you SO much for the warm welcome of your speedy reply and the wonderful photos.

Fiddleheads is nothing but excellence in knowledge, stock and customer service.

Rhiannon in particular is delightful, knowledgeable and beyond helpful.

When I was ready to purchase a new violin, I wrote to Rhiannon and explained what I was looking for in an instrument. I was very specific about the tone quality, the finger/fingerboard feel and the responsiveness that I was looking for.

She answered very promptly, had a few questions for clarification and then mailed the perfect instrument for me even though I live 3,000 miles away.

This is significant given I was spending $12,000.00.

I am the happiest I have ever been with a violin, and will be able to enjoy this one for the rest of my life.

I highly recommend Fiddleheads/Rhiannon. She is extremely patient and fair; an incredible business woman who understands customer service and satisfaction, and works hard to deliver the best experience out there.

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] Rhiannon has an in depth knowledge of all thing fiddles and an amazing dedication to serving the individual needs of her clients!

[REVIEW: Google, 5 stars] Rhiannon was a delight and yes, she goes above and beyond.

We loved meeting her. She is an amazing woman!

My adult daughter and I had a great time with her, purchased two violins and will make the trek back for lessons. We played when we got home and are very happy with what we got and the wonderful care she took, the discounts etc.

She is so helpful, full of good advice and extremely patient. What a treasure here in BC and her customers from all around the world love her, we can see why. We love our instruments and highly recommend her.

[REVIEW: Facebook, 5 stars] Rhiannon is amazing, my daughter and I purchased two violins from her after visiting her studio in Kamloops. We love our instruments, and she was so helpful, lots of good advice and support. We would do business with her anytime and highly recommend her for purchasing, advice and lessons if you are fortunate enough to live close to her studio.

Thanks for guiding me patiently and systematically with all the long emails. You are such a wonder woman :-)

Your hard work and effort must have earned many loyal customers. With your wholehearted service, it is certain that they all turned into friends eventually. For sure, I'll be one of them.

It's so exciting to acquire something that I love for the most important person of my life - my son. Through the rave reviews from your customers, I know you are someone I can rely on.

Seriously, your advices are enlightening. Especially, "it depends on how much longer you would want the violin to last for him".

Sourcing and buying an expensive and fragile instrument is frustrating, not to mention buying it through the World Wide Web where you can't see, touch and try an instrument in person.

The key is to find the shop you can trust. After a few emails exchange with you, I know I've eventually found someone I can count on.

I'm so tired of shopping around for necessities and now have found someone I can count on, so I ask you to finalize everything for me. We completely rely on you… You have our trust.

Your professional, friendly and honest advice given from violinist, teacher and friend's point of view are both educational and rewarding. I'll tell every violin player I know about my wonderful shopping experience with you and I'm sure they will thank me once they start looking for your advices.

As mentioned previously, other than Fiddleheads, I can't think of any companies, be it big or small, who can say that they've fulfilled their mission without turning their faces red. Rhiannon, you are not only completely achieved your highly set mission, but also extended it to another level.

You are treating your customers like friends. You are promoting violin with great passion.

Please keep up the good work and I'm certain that your level of services is untouchable by anyone in the market.

[Daniel purchased a 2012 Topa violin. Read his review here.]

I received my Bon Musica already! Thank you for such speedy delivery.

I have been going "restless" as I couldn't adjust other rests to feel comfortable. I am 64 and learning and playing is not a natural talent for me so any help I can get is good. A woman who was attending the Gaelic College in Cape Breton at the same time I was let me try hers and I liked it a lot. Maybe my playing will improve and I'll be able to play celtic jigs and reels up to speed now!

Great idea enclosing your business cards. I will take them to my fiddle sessions.

I appreciate the prompt and efficient service you provided and will check your site for other items I require from time to time.

Excellent businesswomen please me. Thank you again.

I have to say that before I came across this impressive site I dreaded the process of shopping for a new instrument because of my lack of knowledge about violins and lack of knowledge about exactly where to go, who to talk to and who to trust.

Rhiannon always replied so quickly, I was not expecting to hear back from her so soon! I finally checked email after leaving work on Thursday afternoon and found 3 new messages from Fiddleheads answering my questions.

Wow, so many emails in such a short time (and they are still coming as I write this, ha, ha, she is making me laugh). I appreciated all of the PDFs of sheet music (sent on her way out the door for an anniversary celebration -- she is a devoted business woman!). It all looks great and I can hardly wait to start playing!

All of the testimonials and information on the Fiddleheads site put me more at ease about the purchase of a new instrument. I knew that Rhiannon has many happy customers from far and wide so I could do something over the internet with confidence.

It has been a pleasure corresponding with her for the last several weeks. We are very excited for our new stuff to arrive! Thanks again for everything!

Rhiannon, you apologize too much (so do I - sorry).

You are a talented, effective, extraordinarily busy young businesswoman/musician - no time for apologies if you don't write back the same day- no need to explain, etc.

You've earned the right to be assertive and brash - but you're not. That's nice.

Thank you so much, Rhiannon for working with me on this transaction, and for your help holding the violin for me until I pay it off, you could expect future business from me when all is finished with this purchase.

I will definitely put the word out, that there is a wonderful violin shop in Canada that they should really consider, as there first option for a good quality instrument and service, and I truly mean that! I will tell anybody who is looking or whoever is even considering the idea of purchasing a string instrument.

It's nice to see that there are still fine people who care about giving people a good affordable violin and working with them to help them realize that dream or goal, in that He or She has in mind for a future investment for their lives.

God bless you Rhiannon, you're a remarkable woman.

My God, a response at 1 am [your time] - thats good service. And thanks for the elaborate response.

You're certainly a dedicated saleswoman, working nighshifts!

After learning and growing with my first ever very own violin for a time, I heard and tried one by Angela Moneff. I wasn't actually looking for a different instrument, just enjoying the additional education of being able to play different violins as the opportunity arose.

I was able to hear it being played a little more from time to time and always found the sound very appealing, especially as time passed and it began to be "played in" slightly.

Despite the opportunity to hear and briefly try other very nice violins, this one haunted me; it had a little more of everything I was attracted to in the violin I already owned and added some extras of its own.

Maker

Ms Moneff is a Bulgarian maker and though I tried I could not unearth any further information on her work than is available on the Fiddleheads Shop site.

It is my understanding that hers is a smaller family type business so that supply will necessarily be limited and her name not that widely known to date outside of Europe.

To the best of my knowledge, she makes a Guarnarius model violin only. Which model Guarnarius she uses is unknown to me.

Fit and Finish

The workmanship on these bench model (handmade) violins is of very high quality. The obvious areas my amateur eyes make note of are the purfling, beestings, hand-carved scroll, joints (backs are two piece), fit of neck to body, f-holes, and overall general appearance. All beautiful.

The varnish is absolutely superb. A cautionary note - the finish on my new violin was quite soft and demanded extra care for a few months until it hardened somewhat. In the interim one may find it "antiquing" rather ambitiously.

Sound

Sound was the main attraction for me.

These Guarneri violins have a voice somewhat lower in register than say, the typically voiced Stradivari for instance. This was something I found immediately and immensely appealing. The sound is balanced and full from top to bottom, the D and G strings especially attractive to my ear with a touch of Viola to them.

There are beautiful and appropriate overtones aplenty developing, which die slowly after the bow is withdrawn. There is a large of range of colour and emotion available in response to bowing changes.

My violin is still relatively new (approx. 4 months) to me. It has proven to be consistent on all strings through third position, with Evah Pirazzis installed (third is as high as I can play to date, but my teacher has indicated I have homework as she has played it higher and says it likes to go there... ah dear.)

This violin responds quickly and easily and it will take me some time to be able to play up to the potential of this instrument. It demands somewhat more of me and while it makes my errors somewhat more obvious, it rewards my efforts and improvements with more beautiful sound and greater range than I previously thought I was capable of.

All of this encourages me to practice and accelerates my learning.

Summary

I'm not sure whom adopted whom here, but I am very grateful that this Moneff and I have come into partnership. I get to enjoy a truly beautiful (sound and workmanship) instrument, and at a price I could afford.

As it plays-in it develops greater depth of sound and character with a range and scope which I strive to learn to properly utilize. In return it brings me joy, a deeper understanding and the realization that at age 57 I can so learn a new trick or two.

HUGE value for dollar! Well done Ms Moneff, and thank you.

[It is with deep regret to share that Michael passed away September 19, 2013]

You truly are a wonderful saleswoman, by the way Rhiannon, and your website is true to its every word.

Let me just say thank you for all your advice and feedback.

It's nice, for once, to find a person and his/her company who are "real"...so thank you again for all your knowledge and advice.

Congratulations to you on your pregnancy, Rhiannon, I hope all goes well and you enjoy it.

I'm really impressed with your persistence in helping me. Been several years since a woman has stayed up late and held her bladder for me in order to serve me. On second thought, I have never had that happen.

What a gal! I'm not worthy. And by the way, you are soooooo smart and helpful. I will pass your cards out also except for the one I keep.

Thanks so much for the attention you show to me and your other customers and to our Earth.