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Emma Hall | Episode 584
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How important is it to say, I am going to do this for the long haul?
I think it is really, really, important because if you have to put in this much time and effort into something, you’ve got to love it, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to do it. So for me it was never a means to an end, it was always going to be what I wanted to do. And I realized about two years ago that I was trying to make myself into two people. I was trying to be someone who had a career and had this full time job and then I would come home and be creative and I was pulling myself apart and it was exhausting. I realized I had to make a decision and that I couldn’t be both. So when I started the business I decided that was my focus. I still love my job and enjoy my job but I cut down to 30 hours when I started running my business.
How important was it to validate that you could make sales? Was that an important step for you?
I think one of the important things I did before I started the business and before I started selling, I sat down and had a long think about my process and how that process converts into numbers. So factoring in the materials, the glaze, the electrics, the wear and tear on the kiln, all these things would work out if I had a viable product. What I had done with my jewelry business, I had a product that people liked, but I made no money from it. In fact, it was bankrupting me. So can I make something that I enjoy making and make a profit and at the end of the day that is why you do it. And I worked out that I could. Once the numbers made sense I just got on with it.
How have you been able to differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd?
I like to think that as in anything in life, the person that you are brings value. It is not just the things that you make. You yourself are a brand and especially with social media now, people are brands in their own right. So I wanted to bring my personality into what I do. So when I put out Instagram posts I let people into my life and share what I’ve got going on. That’s important to me that I am not just shoving my product down people’s throats. I share my failures and stuff I got going on so I like to think that sets me aside a little bit.
When you are setting up a business how important is it to define clear goals?
Very important! If you start off and set yourself something that you can’t obtain, you are not going to do it are you? I think it is important to set yourself small goals for sure, but give yourself time especially if it is a side hustle, life is hard enough.
How important is customer feedback for your launch and the continuation of your business?
Really, really important. And really hard. I don’t think anyone sets out to look forward to bad feedback but it is a really important part of being creative. I have had my share of people saying, Oh the handle is a bit small, the size of the mug..and that is fine. That’s okay. I have never had anything go wrong with any of my mugs but I have had mugs smashed in the post. I don’t know if that counts as bad feedback but it’s pretty crappy. I thin the most important thing is that people want to be listened to.
What’s your favorite tool for clay?
My rubber kidney. I have a solid one and a softer one. I use them obviously to burnish my slabs. I use them in the building process. I literally couldn’t live without them. Oh, and my Mudtools sponges.
Are those both by Mudtools?
Yes!
What is your favorite tool for your business?
Instagram. Hands down. I love Etsy and it’s a great platform and stuff but for me and my business Instagram covers everything. My business wouldn’t work if it wasn’t for Instagram.
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Etsy: thesilverspotdesign
Instagram: @thesilverspot