In 2022, in the aftermath of COVID-19, we took over the existing pottery painting studio with a very personal goal: to create meaningful work for my daughter, who was in her early twenties and navigating a difficult post-pandemic world. What started as a supportive family venture quickly became something much bigger, a place where people of all ages could slow down, get creative, and reconnect with others.
From the start, we saw how powerful creativity could be. People came not just to paint pottery, but to slow down, talk, laugh, and leave with something they’d made themselves. In 2023, we took a significant step forward by moving premises, which helped increase visibility, footfall, and confidence in the long-term potential of the business.
A few months ago, however, the business reached an unexpected crossroads. Due to personal circumstances, my daughter stepped away, and I took over running the studio day-to-day. I already had a full-time job alongside the business, and I’ll be honest, I’m not the natural ‘front-of-house’ that she was. She had a wonderful way with customers; my strengths lie more behind the scenes, in planning, systems, and strategy.
More recently, I’ve started to look beyond our usual customer base and consider how creativity might support wellbeing in the workplace. The studio has shown us how powerful simple, hands-on activities can be for reducing stress, encouraging conversation, and giving people mental breathing space, something many workplaces are increasingly aware of.
Running a small business isn’t always glamorous, and it certainly isn’t linear. It’s personal, unpredictable, and often challenging but it’s also deeply rewarding. We’re proud of the progress we’ve made since 2022, grateful for the support of our local community, and excited about what the next chapter may hold.
If there’s one thing this journey has reinforced, it’s that small businesses are built on resilience — and sometimes, on simply refusing to give up. We are of course, always open to conversations, collaborations, and shared ideas with other local businesses that believe in the value of creativity and community.
I look forward to joining Chamber meetings and activities this year, writes Julie, owner of Pots of Love.