Dawn Klinger | Episode 606
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How far out are you planning? What does your planning horizon look like for you?
Good question. I just want to keep doing what I am doing. My plan has always been I believe in longevity and sticking around and commitment so it has always been my plan to commit to this business and create a handmade ceramics company that people could depend on and that they could come back to when they need to reorder or add to their sets. That they would feel like we are somebody who would always be here. So as far as the store is concerned I see us for at least a few more years keeping the physical store front. I am developing my studio, it’s in an old barn and it’s pretty rustic right now but I’d like to have events out there. I am going to start some workshops this year. But I would like to have even more events. It’s just a really beautiful place and of course online we will always be fine tuning and improving our presence there as well.
How much help do you need to be able to pull off what you are doing?
I see at least two full-time studio assistants. I have one right now and I have people who work in the store and help me out with social media. So we will probably always have one to two people here in the store and one of those people as a hybrid between the studio and the store and another at least in the studio. I see at least always having three people assisting me with this. And we’ll see where it goes. Maybe more. Two would be a great place to be.
When you opened your store, what kind of solution are you giving to the world?
It might be different than what people think. But ever since I started the store, I told you earlier that I was interested in psychology and I have always been very interested in connecting with people and creating good relationships with people and I really think the store is about creating relationships. People come in here, sometimes we have long conversations, sometimes they are just looking for something beautiful, but no matter what, there’s always a connection. So I feel like the store is about connecting in relationships and I feel and I feel like the product itself is about dependability and quality and beauty combined. Giving something to people that they can really believe in and come back to.
What are some of the big obstacles you had to get around or over when you first started up?
First discipline, for sure. The discipline of going into the studio and say, I am going to make what is on my list today whether I feel like it or not. And becoming a boss and a manager. I have always been kind of a quiet person and not really telling other people what to do and that was uncomfortable for me. But figuring out what kind of boss I wanted to be and trying to work on being that person. Those have been my most difficult things.
What’s got you excited about the business right now?
Right now is a very exciting time, so we have been approached by a larger retail business about making some pieces for them and I find it’s very exciting no matter which way it goes, whether it works out or not because it kind of makes me think, Hmmm, do I want to hire more people, do I want to be able to do these big jobs? Or do I want to keep my studio small and intimate? So I think that is really exciting. And we are getting some new photography done by a local woman here who is just amazing and photography is such an important part of your website and online selling. I am just so excited to see how those come out.
What has you frustrated about your business today?
It’s probably back to being the manager or the boss. I am cultivating that part of myself and it can be very challenging and sometimes frustrating. I want to create an environment with this business. An environment where people are excited to come in and work and I think they are but there are parts of it I still need to figure out.
In order to say yes to all the things you want to do, you have to say no to something. What are the things you have had to say no to in order to be successful and say yes to what you are doing?
That is an easy one! I used to be a huge people pleaser, as they say, and I wanted to make every thing that everyone asked me to make because I just wanted to see them smile and happy and the biggest thing I have learned to do is say no to projects that aren’t going to further my business right now. I have to focus and it’s the hardest thing to do. So learning to say no to certain projects that I know will distract my attention too much from what I am trying to stay focused on.
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