Taking Singing Telegrams To The Next Level

Have you ever wondered if you could turn your passion or art into a side hustle to supplement your income?

Rose Guccione — an opera singer for 20 years at Lyric Opera Chicago — is doing just that, thanks to AARP Foundation Work for Yourself @50+, a program designed to help people living on limited income find financial security.

While at a baby shower in 2006, a friend told Rose she listens to a recording of Rose singing Happy Birthday every year — she loved Rose’s singing that much.

That led to Rose’s aha moment and the start of her business, OperaGram.com^® — a singing telegram company with an operatic twist.

Rose had a lot on her plate and was making ends meet by holding two teaching positions, singing professionally, and managing OperaGram.com in the Chicago area. She was also attending grad school and caring for her ailing mother.

During this time, Rose discovered the AARP Foundation Work for Yourself@50+ workshop and thought, “This is for me!” Rose attended the workshop and that’s when Operagram.com took flight.

“This program has shown me that OperaGram.com has the potential to do what I want to do — build a legacy of joy. And, that the numbers are attainable,” said Rose Guccione, CEO of OperaGram.com. “It’s really empowering. I’ve learned so much, and I’m still learning.”

The Work for Yourself@50+ program showed Rose how to write a business plan to expand her business model across the country. She also learned where to turn for financial support to grow Operagram.com.

She’s now fulfilling her dream of taking the business nationally — and providing opportunities for aspiring and veteran opera singers who need more income.

Rose’s mission to help artists like herself earn money is striking just the right note. After all, helping older adults living with limited income make ends meet through self-employment is what Work for Yourself@50+ is all about.