When I opened the doors to Mad Mud Studios on October 20th, my birthday - I thought of it as a gift to myself. After years of dreaming, planning, and working toward it, I finally took the leap and committed to building a pottery studio of my own.
Looking back now, eight months later, I can honestly say the experience has been a bit of a roller coaster.
There have been incredible highs. I've had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people in our community, work with amazing students, and create a space where people can come not only to make pottery, but also to relax and connect. Some of my favorite moments have come from the conversations shared around a work table or seeing someone proudly finish a piece they never thought they could make.
Of course, starting a small business comes with challenges as well. There are days when business is busy and encouraging, and there are days when it's quiet. As with many new businesses, growth takes time, patience, and persistence. Sometimes that means putting plans for studio improvements on hold while focusing on keeping the doors open and continuing to serve the community.
Even with those challenges, I remain grateful and optimistic. Every class taught, every piece created, every returning student, and every person who chooses to support a local small business reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
Mad Mud Studios is still growing, still evolving, and still chasing the vision that inspired it. I believe in the value of creativity, community, and the simple joy of making something with your own hands. As we move forward, I'm excited to see where things go from here...and hopefully will remember to post most often to bring you along on my journey.