There's no doubt about the fact that the financial climate is very harsh at the moment. No job feels secure and the working environment in many industries is such that employees are often being asked to do more work for (effectively) less reward. The threat of redundancy seems to be always hovering in the air and if you don't have a job, finding employment is quite a challenge.
The Small Business Challenge – Is It For You?
Bearing all these factors in mind, it's hardly surprising that more and more people are thinking about running their own business. For those with an inclination towards arts and crafts, the concept of "Paint Your Own Pottery" (PYOP) seems like an attractive one. What could be nicer than a job which entails playing with glaze and clay on a daily basis, enhancing the leisure time of families and fulfilling your own creative urges at the same time?
Yes, it can be a lovely job, but before you embark on a career as a PYOP tycoon, it's important to remember that the basic skills you need are those of a small business person rather than those of a potter or craftsperson.
Being at the helm of a small business means that the buck stops with you. It's your ultimate responsibility to make sure that the stock is ordered, checked, stored and displayed, that the studio is appropriately staffed at all times, that orders are completed, wrapped, labelled and delivered and that your customers leave the studio happy and anxious to return as soon as possible.
"Paint Your Own Pottery" means keeping track of many, many small, low price items. Stock control can be a bit of a nightmare and making money entails plenty of donkey work. Essentially, it means a high throughput of customers and a high turnover of ceramic items, all of which have to be glazed, fired in the kiln, finished and wrapped ready for the customer to collect.
You will have time to do some of your own ceramic work, if that's what you want to do, but in order to make a success of the business, the rule always has to be "Customer First."
Adding Value to Your "Paint Your Own Pottery" Business
When PYOP studio owners gets together, there's always much rueful discussion about how PYOP isn't a "get rich quick" business. To be honest, running a Paint Your Own Pottery business is very much a lifestyle choice which will reward the time and effort put in by slowly building on a loyal customer base, but it's a long game rather than a quick fix.
You can add value to your business by offering a mobile service, by taking on commissions (if your artistic skills are up to it), by publicising birthday parties and group activities or by offering your PYOP service in conjunction with a craft shop or tea room.
If you are thinking of combining food provision with ceramic painting, consult your Environmental Health Officer first. PYOP glazes are non toxic and lead free, but it's best to get professional advice about washing facilities and the by-laws operational in your area.
Make This Life Style Change Work For You
There are no hard and fast rules about what will work well in the world of ceramic studios. You need to love your customers and ensure that they stay happy, and you need a certain amount of business acumen as well.
Other than that, find a formula that works for you and go with it. Some studios operate on a teaching and classroom model, some succeed as party venues and others combine ceramics with other commercial activities. The model is a flexible one, but may well be just the life style change you were looking for!
