Q. Tell us about your business

I set up my ceramics business in 2014 and now have my own studio, which provides me with the space to both make and teach. I’ve been making ceramics for over 20 years now and feel very fortunate to be doing something I love – it’s what I purposefully set out to do from a young age.
Pre-pandemic I ran weekly classes and workshops, but when my studio was forced to close during lockdown I took the opportunity to rethink my business. Two years on I’m still doing what I love, but I now offer virtual classes and also provide membership to my studio.
Members get up to two hours of studio time each week to come in and make whatever they want. They use my materials and facilities and I’m on hand if they need advice or support. Other studio memberships are usually only available for professionals whereas my offering is largely for people who do it as a hobby. I want people to enjoy ceramics as much as I do, so I’m pleased they now have easier access to my services.

Q. What’s the best part about running your own business?

It might sound like a cliché, but I love being my own boss. I have a young daughter and a few challenges with my health so the flexibility it gives me is invaluable. It’s so much more rewarding working around my own schedule than someone else’s. I often have to remind myself that I really am living my dream!

Q. What do you find most challenging?

For me the main challenge is managing my time to balance all the jobs needed to run a business and studio space as well as making time for the creative work developing new pieces. I outsource some aspects like financial and legal that I either don’t like doing or don’t know enough about to do a good job. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but I think I’m getting the hang of it.

Q. How do you keep motivated when the going gets tough?

Because I’m doing what I love I really don’t find it hard to motivate myself. My passion seems to keep my energy high, but if it wanes a little I know it’s time to rest. My advice to anyone who wants to run a successful business is to do something they love and take time to rest and review. It might seem like an elusive dream for many people but it’s definitely something to work towards.

Q. How has Jo supported you?

As my business model changed during the pandemic I realised my T&Cs were no longer fit for purpose. They were very basic and simply wouldn’t work for the studio membership. Thankfully I found Jo through the Federation of Small Businesses and she created bespoke T&Cs for my members when they sign up. The T&Cs clearly set out what members are entitled to and also their obligations. They are there to protect both parties and are invaluable – definitely not something to attempt to draft if you don’t have the necessary experience. I’d recommend Jo to anyone.

Q. What’s your biggest learning?

My biggest learning has been to keep the end goal in mind, focus on one aspect at a time and finish the job before starting another, but not at the expense of being open to opportunities or new ideas.
It’s good to be focused but not if it stops you from seeing the bigger picture. I was forced to find the opportunities during lockdown, but I’m not sure I would have found them if it was business as usual.

Q. What do you know now that you wish you had known when you were setting up your business?

Only do one thing at a time. Focus on the most important thing first (not what you like doing most) and finish before you move onto the next. Just because you’ve come up with a new idea doesn’t mean you need to immediately act on it. Work our how important it is and add it to your list of things to do.

Q. Which businessperson would you most like to have dinner with?

I’d love to have dinner with Kate Malone, a hugely successful ceramicist on an international scale. I love the mentee business model she runs and would love to know how she has built such a brilliant business. I’d have loads of questions for her and I’m sure I’d learn so much.

To find out more about Paula Armstrong Ceramics click here