The Patterns Behind Successful Businesses
What does it really take for a business to win — and last?
In this episode of The Back Office, Dalayna Dillon sits down with Heather Turner, business owner of Anthem Road Academy and a strategic leader in Oklahoma’s economic development efforts, to talk about the patterns she has seen after working alongside hundreds of business owners.
From leading the Jenks Chamber of Commerce to helping shape statewide initiatives through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Heather has had a front-row seat to both the successes and the struggles of local businesses. She’s watched companies grow, pivot, fail, and rebuild — and along the way, she’s learned what separates businesses that last from those that don’t.
This conversation explores the biggest mistakes business owners make, the priorities that matter most, and the resources many entrepreneurs overlook. It’s an honest look at leadership, resilience, and the discipline required to build something sustainable.
No one has it fully figured out. But we’re building anyway.
Show Notes
Guest: Heather Turner
Business: Anthem Road Academy
Role: Deputy CEO – Strategic Leadership and Alignment of CORE and EDGE
Organization: Oklahoma Department of Commerce
Heather Turner is a business owner, author, and economic development leader with deep experience supporting entrepreneurs and communities across Oklahoma.
She is the founder of Anthem Road Academy, a music academy with multiple locations serving students and families across the Tulsa and Oklahoma City areas. In addition to running her own business, Heather previously served as President of the Jenks Chamber of Commerce, where she worked closely with local business owners and community leaders to support growth and development.
Today, Heather serves in a strategic leadership role with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, helping align two key divisions — CORE (Community Outreach and Revitalization Enterprise) and EDGE (Economic Development, Growth and Expansion) — created to strengthen economic development efforts across the state.
In this episode, Heather shares the lessons she has learned from working with hundreds of businesses, the common mistakes she sees entrepreneurs make, and the priorities that help companies grow and endure.
In This Episode, We Discuss
• The story behind Anthem Road Academy
• Lessons learned from leading the Jenks Chamber of Commerce
• The most common mistakes business owners make
• Leadership insights from working in economic development
• What it takes to build a business that lasts
About Heather’s Book — Dream Traders
Dream Traders explores the journey of entrepreneurship through the lens of perseverance, vision, and leadership. Drawing from her own experiences and the stories of other business owners, Heather shares practical lessons about building a business while staying grounded in purpose.
About Anthem Road Academy
At Anthem Road Academy, we believe music is more than a hobby—it’s a journey that shapes character, builds confidence, and connects people. What started in 2011 by our founder, Heather Turner, as a passion to create a space where students could truly thrive has grown into a vibrant music community serving South Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Edmond/OKC. From the very beginning, our mission has been simple:
To be a student-focused, community-driven academy that helps every musician discover their voice and their potential.
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