Question:
How do I start a business?
Leadership/decision making
How are you doing? Do you ever feel like the centipede that was told to put its best foot forward? When you're having trouble making a decision, try these six preliminary questions. 1. What is my real objective? Why must I decide? 2. What is my deadline? When must I decide? 3. Can I break the decision down into smaller parts? 4. Will this decision be final? Or can I change my mind later? 5. What risks are involved? Are they worth it? 6. What new information do I need before I decide? Deciding to decide is often the hardest part. These six questions will help clarify your thoughts and actions so you can make the decision and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way.
Size
Size
Size is another factor to consider when choosing your place. Small studios are usually about 600 square feet. Large studios are approximately 3000. Most are generally between 1500-2000 square feet. Your size should be based on the level of activity you plan to have at your location. Here are some questions to consider:
• How many kilns you will run?
• Where will your kilns vent?
• How many tables do you plan to put in the space and where will they be located?
• Is there enough space for bisque, finished ware, kiln shelves, stilts, posts, and other storage?
• Will you need an office?
• How much counter space you need?
• Where will your paint display and serving area be located?
• Will you offer food and beverages?
• Is your shop handicapped accessible?
• Will you plan to have activities or a room for small children who are not
painting?
Studio Type
Studio Type
If you are generally new to the ceramics business, you may elect to begin your business as a purely contemporary studio, where customers paint on bisque, you dip and fire their pieces, and they pick them up in three to five days.
Location
Location, Location, Location
Although this is a common phrase, prospective owners sometimes choose to ignore it or don't understand what it really means. In a nutshell – you have to open where the money is. Consider city populations and types. Several years ago, it was thought that a town with a population of at least 60,000 people could sustain a studio. In some cases, it could. Yet strong factors include a city's character, its affluence, and whether it is a college town, year-round or seasonal resort. Ask yourself the following:
• Have upper-income families moved to the town to make it their oasis from asphalt, traffic, and noise?
• Do other activities in which families participate, such as movies and shopping malls, exist in the area?
• Is another big city is within an hour's drive? The answers to all these play a part in determining the likely flow of traffic into your studio.
Dealing with Real Estate
When your opportunity comes to look over a location, look professional and come prepared with questions. Ask about the lease length, cost per square foot, triple net, commons, finish-out allowance, maximum capacity, signage allowances, strip center hours and requirements. You should also inquire as to when the space will become available, and/or what other terms or allowances there might be. You may also want to ask for the demographics on the area. They can get them for you.
Definition of Success
A Definition of Success
Realize there are no guarantees in life, and that might go double for business. You can bet McDonald's does their homework before they open a new location, but even that doesn't guarantee success. However, success means different things to different people. To one person, success might mean being able to pay all the bills every month and have a comfortable, if not rich existence. In ceramics, that could mean happiness at not being in the corporate world, being creative, and helping bring the joy of ceramics to others. However, this might be completely unacceptable to another person who wants to make a lot of money, hire a manager and be on vacations often. This situation is very rare and you better be able to gamble your loan on it. You need to determine what you feel is a decent living. This does not mean gross sales, it means your salary. For instance, you most likely won't have a salary of $50,000 the first year or even the second. You might make it the third year if you do everything right and you're lucky. And even then, who's to say what's “right?”The four most critical issues a new owner must face are:
• Location
• Business know-how
• Advertising, marketing, and public relations
• Old-fashioned common sense
Competition
Competition
Generally speaking, it's best to be where people are. Therefore, if you have the choice between leasing a cute house a few doors off Main Street with 1500 square feet for $1,000 per month, or a 1,200 square foot shop in a new strip center across town with a popular café and new multi-theater for $2,800 per month, take the latter of the two. Advertising most likely won't make up the lost income from the lack of foot traffic. This makes the house off Main Street a losing bet. Many people who have tried it before thought it could be done, and now they are closed. The bottom line is – don't be afraid of rental costs if the location is right.
The Production Area: Wheels
The Production Area
Although this area will contain the same basic elements in every pottery, the arrangements will vary from person to person. Wedging benches should be placed as near as possible to the clay storage. To facilitate efficient wedging, this bench should be very sturdy and set at a height just above knee level. This height allows you to put your weight over the clay and saves energy when wedging. The number of wheels and so on will determine the layout to some extent. The wheel should be placed near a good source of natural light. But if you make the view too attractive, you may spend more time looking than potting. It is a good idea to have benches around your wheel so that you have somewhere to put clay, tools and potboards.
Business in a College town
The summer months can be fairly quiet in college towns. Therefore, you have to determine whether you can sustain three months with limited business in the summer. Moreover, keep in mind that student activities on campus are often free or part of the tuition. College kids often do not have the time or money to spare to do ceramics regularly enough to make it profitable for you.
Leasing
Leasing
When speaking with the leasing agent, remain pleasant and professional, no matter how many times you have to call. When they ask you what kind of business you plan to operate, don't be shocked if they hang up when you explain that it is a new pottery painting or ceramics studio. Bear in mind, many landlords are looking for renters who have tried-and-true businesses that will sign long leases and are practically guaranteed success. If the leasing agent has no knowledge of the ceramics business, they may be less enthusiastic than you are.
Ceramics Frequently Asked Questions
What precautions should I take in the studio?
How do I fire an electric kiln?
What are some stoneware glazes?
What Precautions when using dry ingredients?
How do I apply opaque stains ?
What should I keep in mind when designing my studio?
What tools do I need to start potting?
How do I best promote myself and my work?
What safety aspect should I keep in mind when working with glazes?
What should I remember when firing the kiln?
How do I best publicise my business?
How do I make a simple plaster mold?
How do I fire overglazes/lustres?
How do I create fine feature lines?
How and when sholuld I apply underglazes?
Are they Water or oil base stains?
Are any two kilns are exactly alike?
Can I use sand to stop glaze running onto shelves
Does greenware need to be dry before loading?
What is the history of the Potter´s Wheel?
What is The History of the Way of Tea
What is Celadon (Cheong-Ja) - the Stuff of Kings?
What is an overglaze marbleizer?
Is there a trick toThrowing Porcelain?
What are some stoneware glazes?
What are some good tools for decoration?
How do I apply texture to my piece?
Do I need kiln wash for bisque?
How do I refire a glazed piece ?
What must I remember when Raku firing?
How do I add decoration to my ceramics?
How do I care for my elements?
Does over firing produce poor colour in coloured glaze?s
What are some Black Firing Tips and Tricks?
What is the safest way to pack my ceramics?
How do I do a reduction firing?
automatic kiln sitter, should I trust it?
What are some tips for draining a mold?
What safety measures should I take with Raku Firing?
How do I attach a bat to the wheelhead?
What tools do I need for ceramics
What are suggested plate clay weights?
What do I need to get started?
What tools do I need to make a coil pot
How do I fire ceramic bisque ?
How do I recycle batches of clay quickly
What is the correct firing time?
How to I prepare and make slabs?
What materials are toxic in Ceramics?
Can Crackle glazes be used for food?
How do I avoid S cracks in wheel thrown ware
How do I get the press onside?
What are the Approx. firing times?
Ho do I avoid pitting and pinholes?
How do I decorate my ceramics?
How do I Bisque fire in an electric kiln?
How do I decorate my ceramics?
How do I apply crackle glazes ?
What effects can I achieve with a brush?
How do I Drain small pour holes?
How do I care for my new Kiln?
can I draw directly onto a piece?
How do I fire different bodies?
What is the humming in my new kiln?
What should I remember when firing a new kiln?
how do I get the best results in glazing?
How do I prevent dirt on my greenware?
How do I accomodate Clay Storage in my studio?
How do I prevent sagging during firing?
How do I load my brush for applying underglaze?
Why should I use pottery plaster?
How do I prevent glazes from settling ?
How do I create a woodtone effect?
What are some Doing well Quotes?
How do I care for my elements?
How do I store my throwing tools?
What is the history of Ceramics?
Why do I get black spots in my glaze?
How do I load my kiln for a glaze firing?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Barbara Gibson |
