At Macaroni KID Mountain House–Manteca–Tracy, we love celebrating local moms who are making a difference in our community—and this month, we’re thrilled to spotlight Annie Ippolito Reed, the heart behind Ripon Suzuki Strings.
Annie is a Suzuki violin, viola, cello, and early childhood music educator based right here in Ripon, California. Having grown up in the same community she now calls home with her own family, Annie feels incredibly grateful to be raising her children surrounded by familiar faces and strong local roots. She and her husband—who is both a pianist and an IT manager—homeschool their three young children (ages 9, 5, and 1). Their days are often filled with church service, recitals, daily practice, and more instrument cases than they can count!
From Student to Teacher—A Full-Circle Journey
Music has always been a central part of Annie’s life. She was raised in the Suzuki Method herself and remembers thinking her own violin teacher had the best job imaginable—doing something she loved, right from home. After gaining experience teaching through music stores and other programs, Annie eventually decided to start her own business. Going independent allowed her to teach in a way that aligned with her values while also creating the flexibility her growing family needed.
Life as a Mom and Business Owner
No two days look exactly the same for Annie. Most days involve a blend of homeschooling, shuttling kids to activities and music lessons, teaching students, answering emails, building her online teaching hub, and planning concerts through the Modesto Suzuki Association. One of her favorite parts of the week is teaching her baby/toddler music class. While her schedule has evolved with each stage of motherhood, Annie shares that every year she feels a little closer to finding that sweet spot between work and home life.
The Heart of the Work
When asked about the most rewarding part of running her business, Annie’s answer is simple: the kids and their parents. Watching students grow—both musically and personally—is what fuels her passion. She loves the Suzuki philosophy that music education is about more than creating skilled musicians; it’s about shaping confident, empathetic, and resilient human beings. Whether it’s seeing students shine at recitals and community performances like the Ripon Farmers Market, or witnessing a small “aha!” moment during a lesson, Annie believes every win is worth celebrating.
Navigating the Challenges
Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship hasn’t come without challenges. As her family has grown, Annie has had to become very intentional with her limited work time. Some weeks are full of creativity and productivity, while others are about simply getting through the day. She’s learned to let go of the idea of a “perfect” schedule and instead focus on what her kids and business need in the moment—and to put her work out into the world even when it’s not perfect.
Words of Wisdom for Other Moms
Annie’s advice for moms thinking about starting a business is heartfelt and practical: make sure you truly love what you do. Learn from people already in the field, support their businesses, and don’t be afraid to start before you feel fully ready. Most importantly, don’t worry about what others think.
Family Time Favorites
When they’re not working, Annie and her family still find themselves drawn to music—practicing together or simply playing for fun. They also love board games and sharing nostalgic movies, shows, and video games from their own childhoods with their kids.
Business Info
Business Name: Ripon Suzuki Strings
Website: riponsuzuki.com…