Pottery Studio
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Interview with Daniel Rodriguez, owner of Clay Haven Pottery Studio in Portland, Oregon
Q: How did you get interested in pottery?
A: I have loved working with my hands since I was a child. I initially got interested in pottery when I took a pottery class in college. I was hooked after that.
Q: What made you decide to open Clay Haven Pottery Studio?
A: After working for a few years at a local pottery studio, I realized I wanted to do things differently. I wanted to create a space that was not only welcoming to all skill levels but also offered a wider variety of classes and products.
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced in starting your business?
A: Funding was a huge challenge. I initially underestimated the cost of opening a studio. Additionally, finding the right location was tough. I spent months looking for the perfect space before finally finding the one we currently occupy.
Q: How did you overcome those challenges?
A: I relied on savings and took out a small business loan to cover the initial costs. As for location, I ended up expanding my search area and finally found our current space while out running errands.
Q: What sets Clay Haven Pottery Studio apart from other pottery studios?
A: The variety of classes we offer and the products we sell. From beginner classes to advanced, and everything in between, we have something for everyone. We also sell handmade pottery and ceramics, as well as offer custom orders.
Q: Your business has seen unexpected success, can you tell us about that?
A: Yes, I was shocked at how quickly we gained a following. When we first started, I was worried we wouldn't make enough sales to stay open, but we quickly gained a reputation for quality products and classes. A big part of our success has been using Shopify to sell our products online.
Q: How has Shopify helped your business specifically?
A: By having an online store, we were able to reach a wider audience and sell products outside of our local area. Shopify has made it easy to manage our online store and keep track of inventory.
Q: What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own pottery studio?
A: Make sure you do thorough research and have enough funding to cover all initial costs. Also, offer a wide variety of classes and products to attract a diverse range of customers. And don't underestimate the power of online sales and marketing. Use Shopify to your advantage to reach a wider audience.
Thank you for your time, Daniel, and best of luck to Clay Haven Pottery Studio!
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