How I Started My Pottery Business at 23

So here is the whole story! Well... at least the beginning of it ;)
lmk if you have any questions
⟡ SOCIALS (don't be a stranger) ⟡
⇢ insta: @grumpykidstudio
⇢ finsta: @garbo.zhu
⇢ tiktok: @grumpykidstudio
⇢ business email: [e-mail]
⟡ MY SHOP (restock coming soon!) ⟡
www.grumpykidstudio.com
#smallbusiness

[@AcetalDigital]

Literally drinking tea out of my pink moo moo bao mug while watching this, feels right

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

aww thank u!!!

[@BeckieArt]

I feel like I needed this today. I came to pottery later in life (42) and I loved it so much I started selling, did some markets which I loved but my social media growth is very slow, but it is growing!! And I'm having fun whilst I do it

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

totally agree!! Slow growth is growth!

[@lotushoney9891]

I’m 42 & teaching myself to throw porcelain it’s insanely challenging & addictive.

[@marcelinaK1]

why this make me emotional, human success with passion is so beautiful

[@tammytroche1624]

So glad to see someone else find ceramics through sheer coincidence, I also went to college for architecture, but quickly realized my math skills weren’t to par, but I love art. SO I went through this whole dilemma of what to do with my life, and within my last two semesters I only needed elective courses, and I wanted to do painting, buuuttt it wasn’t offered for the semester so I took ceramics instead. It was LOVE AT FIRST THROW! Suddenly I was at the studio every open studio time, and I got know other potters that had small businesses and were audits, and they were asking me if I would ever sell my things. I sold to friends, then at a couple really small local markets, and now I have a spot on my towns biggest art market!! I hope by the beginning of next year I’ll be able to sell wholesale to local stores and boutiques and coffee shops. So if you’re hesitant, just do it, just start it, and see where it takes you

[@jainejane107]

I love watching people start businesses! This is so motivational! Honestly well done! ❤

[@joselynequinonez8245]

I’m just watching this! But thank you for sharing! Gave me a lot of motivation! I started a small business doing printing on cups but I found a connection to ceramics and I’m completely new and is something that I want to do. I’m just learning and focusing on hand building first. There are some overwhelming times because I’m still new and my pieces don’t turn out how I want. So this is such a reminder that I’m just starting and learning and take things slower and to not have in mind to sell things yet! I’m also a stay at home mom so balancing things out so I don’t burn myself out. Love your pieces ❤

[@simplyshandara]

These mugs are super cute! This is my first time seeing your channel. Thank you for this video. It’s a good reminder for us small business owners to just start small where we are, have fun, and just treat our potential customers like friends that we want to check in with ❤

[@Tristan-Fitzgerald]

Garbo ur channel is alw so calming for mee, and i appreciate how youre so open and realistic yet hopeful too. I love you, your work and your team ! hope everything goes smoothly

[@Tofubraut]

I looove your channel so much! Honestly please make videos about everything surrounding ur business, I'd watch it all 😩🙏

[@atelier_lorie]

I discovered you on that video and wow I fell in love with your work. It was a nice way to discover you and your ceramics... It's amazing to see how you came here after all that work even if I didn't see any since I just came here but I can feel how much you worked hard and that's motivating a lot ! Keep going

[@kaitlinshares]

This was such a lovely video, so helpful and informative! And your nerves didn’t show through at all! Will definitely be following along to learn more about your journey, and hopefully pick up tips along the way 😊🙏🏻💕

[@livingonaclaud]

Love your candidness and it was a pleasure to learn about your process and perseverance. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@huyeeme]

awww this randomly showed up on my youtube. i found so much comfort from your ig during covid :) ty for sharing the story behind

[@reem.7asn]

Wow I love the way you just go to what you feel comfortable doing it and how you develop your skills and supporting yourself 👏👏♥️

[@nurishanasir]

im a small business owner too, and i always have those bad days stressing out about my business and felt i should stop working on my business. but after watching your video, you make me realise that i put so much effort into my business and i see how i grow from doing at home and have my own studio and i just have to keep going and remember why i start this. thank you so much love from malaysia! ❤

[@sofiimoskovic]

I needed this video so much! I'm 25, finishing my studies in architecture, and i've been working on this field with no joy. I thought i was the only one with this problem, i felt so down. Thank u for the video and for telling your story, cause I feel so close to it. Maybe its time for me to start documenting my work with ceramics and start distancing from architecture.

[@zainb07]

Girl I love you! You gave me hope and happiness in my heart, I’m an Architect too! I studied Architecture because of Art and to create and design but then I felt so disappointed when I tried to work in this field, there’s no creativity and yes it’s all about working on you laptop! I just felt like I’m a machine and I was devastated. I like to feel free and use my hand to create stuff, I tried for two years to fit but I couldn’t and then I began to discover myself more and try different things like Graphic Design, Photography, Pottery, Sculpturing, painting, .. ect. And now in this period of my life I was thinking to start my own business, I was thinking about pottery and your video came to me! I’m so grateful thank you for sharing your story with us and thank you for being authentic. Seeing you lots of love 🙏🏼💖🦋✨

[@ray-eq9dk]

you are honestly so inspiring to me, its been such a dream for me to open up my own ceramics studio cause i absolutely love working with clay. i look up to you so much 🥲 i’m only in my first year of uni so hopefully i can do what you did after college. love you so much 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@artistlovepeace]

Alot of good advice. Thank you for producing and sharing your story and business. Your products look really wonderful.

[@FunkyPhish]

I would love it if you did a video on setting up your website to sell. You didn't look nervous at all to me. Good job! I'm glad you broke free from corporate life!!!

[@victoriapitt2305]

You touched on some great points! First of all, you are right, age has nothing to do with it, it's all about timing! I didn't start making pottery until I was 39! I was already an artist/designer/crafter but ceramics was new to me. As the old saying goes, it's never too late to start and I encourage everyone to try something new no matter if you are younger or older. Also, I agree with not feeling pressured to do it all at once. I went to a pottery studio for at least half a year before investing in a wheel. I wanted to make sure this was something I really loved before I invested in equipment. Many great tips and terrific advise here! 👏

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

thank you for your insight and sharing you story!

[@jazmeen8886]

Garbo, thank you for the inspiration. I have been in business for myself for too many years, real estate. The "Fun," was hard for me, but once my hands touched the dirt (Clay), it was love at first touch. Also, enjoying the process instead of trying to learn it all at once, is a great point. Watching videos, and finally jumping in was a deal changer. Molding with one's hands has a spiritual awakening. The beginning of pottery is not perfect, but perfect for the soul. Many thank you's and blessings for the compassion, and inspiration. Mona

[@kelsi6131]

i love this so much! my friend and i have always talked about starting ceramics/pottery classes together and this made me wanna do it even more. id love to turn it into a hobby and maybe even grow it further like you have. thanks for the inspiration ❤ and would love to hear more about your story!

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

I love that idea! Slow organic growth is KEY! Have fun!!

[@kiana7853]

You are such an inspiration for me! I’m starting art school in a months and I can’t wait to start sharing my work with the world and eventually open a small buisness like yours💞

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

best of luck!

[@drawrobot]

I think what you did by being genuine in your initial posts is key to building a following and making sales. Buyers want that experience of meeting the artist & the whole lifestyle draws them in. It’s about building relationships.

[@a.c.2756]

You are a strong and clever woman..I really admire your work!! Pottery came into my life at a really dark time of mine and it gave me hope! I fell in love with it.. I have a really stressful full time job and I am thinking starting my own pottery work..firstly as a hobby and if I am lucky enough,why not to start my own business,as well and quit my current job. I hope to have the same opportunities and audience,here in greece! Your story gave me hope..so thank you so much for that!! Keep going!!

[@fuzzy740]

Hey! I just stumbled upon this channel today. I think that your videos are wonderful and so fun to watch. Just like most people, I don't usually click on videos with fewer views and usually don't expect them to be this good! But I genuinely appreciate the way you create your content and hope that one day you can grow and have a bigger reach, just like you deserve to. I hope to learn pottery one day (currently it's too expensive to learn anywhere for me) and start my own studio one day. Shall keep following your channel until then :)

[@samifoster]

thank you for sharing your story! very interesting! i would love to see a video about setting up a website!

[@malilamarie7884]

i would love to see a video on how you started your website and choosing which site etc!

[@lueyjam]

Thanks for your time and for sharing your experience. I haven’t done ceramics in years and would love to give it a try again. 🤗

[@mariebunny]

This was so informative and motivational! Thank you 😊 Love your ceramics

[@hueilin_wu]

really admire you as a architecture worker still can learn new things ,create pieces and start business at the same time by who also graduated from architecture in 2020😆

[@user-wu6uk8ve3f]

Loved to hear your story❤ Can’t wait to hear more!

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

Definitely more to come💕 thank you for watching!

[@laluna6395]

Thank you Garbo, I could hear you talking all dayyy!!

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

aww this means a lot thank u!

[@Myatheroses]

I’ve never done ceramics till this year but I’ve done all other types of art, yet I so badly want to have an art business that includes ceramics! Its encouraging to see that it’s possible to do even without a fancy studio

[@aprillewimpy2930]

Love it I’m about to start mines I’m excited ❤ such a beautiful video thank you for this 🙏🏽🧘🏽‍♀️✨

[@jeannelocke8852]

I just found you and subscribed right away. (Love the “Ooh, is that an eagle?!”) you’re a natural at pottery and at making videos. I look forward to the next one.

[@wiscaria]

Thank you so much for making this video!! do you have any tips on how to make a business plan? Also I think everyone would love to hear more of your story😊 at least I know I do🥰

[@LisaMarieKaspar]

Thank you for sharing your journey with us, loved the video! And I just want to say you are extremely beautiful omg ♥ And you're ceramics, as well, of course 😻

[@elizabethkuhn1159]

You're amazing!!!! I love your journey

[@iam_vlo]

rooting for you! :) Subscribed. So refreshing to hear someone start something from scratch - and not just for profit, but a business that came from a creative outlet.

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

Thanks for the sub💕💕💕

[@fructusillustrations]

You are so insightful and I really enjoyed this video 😊I recently started following a few months ago now because I found you on TikTok and you've become one of my favorite people to follow and I've enjoyed following along your journey and its helping me stay inspired! I have had a huge interest in ceramics and it's something that I would love to learn some time in the future so I definitely appreciate this advice your sprinkled in this video! :)

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

aw thank you so much!! This really means a lot and I am so happy that I could provide that spark

[@beanzburg888]

currently building my first drop of mugs as I watch this at 23 :,) thank you for this video, I feel like a lot of things recently are pushing me to really invest in starting my lil shop hehehe

[@jelenabartulovic7681]

I'm sooo glad the algorithm sent you to me! thanks for sharing this story with us, you're great at talking to the camera🤩 you are a great motivation and I wish you all the luck🍀🍀🍀

[@mindygeist7157]

Thanks so much for your videos! I would love a video on marketing and your website preferences 😊

[@ceciliajunqueira600]

You are AMAZING Love this vídeo that Just popped up here. I am in the begining of My journey in ceramics and loved listening to your story . Gave me energy to persue 🧡🇧🇷

[@inarideco]

I find your videos so inspiring, I always play your videos in the background while making pottery at the studio

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

OMG i m crying

[@artistlovepeace]

Wow! Your pieces are really cool and cute! Now I'm sold to click through to your store and see what's up.

[@architabharadwaj6393]

This is inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing :) Please make more of these videos

[@codingwithhania]

Thank you for this video!! I love your tiktok and work ❤❤❤

[@gabbyrose8041]

i would love to hear more ab your journey pls

[@gimmepugs6826]

Thanks for the new vid 😊 A video about websites would be great, or anything that u wanna make! 🥰

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

Aw thank you so much for taking your time to watch this video! I will definitely do one about the website💕

[@AnggiSahamCantik]

Thank you for sharing your story ❤ I'm building a business as a writer, it's been a year and the journey is awesome ❤

[@sriya8705]

Would love to learn more about your social media marketing journey! Thanks!!!

[@nahidaafrose9490]

Could you please make videos about how you price your products and social media marketing? I saw your videos on facebook reels and here I am. Love your works!!

[@eringrywacheski]

I loved this! I've been starting a small crochet business here in Vancouver so videos on websites and things like that would be wonderful! I love watching your studio videos on tiktok, I hope to purchase a mug soon! :)

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

I am so happy to hear that you liked it💕 will be making a content about that soon✨

[@dadoabdullah6842]

you’re an amazing girl, I love your word ❤️, I’m about to open a ceramic business, I bought my own kilen, it not arrived yet, I’m so afraid if wouldn’t work well 😢 we need a detailing video about making your mugs and painting them and firing them . if it’s ok.. love you from yemen 🇾🇪

[@annemxma]

hi ! i just discovered your channel, and i'm so glad i did ! this video was really inspiring and motivating ! i started pottery (with air dry clay) almost 2 years ago for fun and i've often thought about having a small business to sell my creations, and although now i'm not so sure i want to open a business strictly for pottery (i'm thinking about gathering multiple artistic fields like graphic design and illustration mostly), it still seems like an achievable goal thanks to your video : thank you for sharing the whole process ! also, i'm not thinking about having a whole studio (outside of my house i mean) for ceramics but i would definitely love to have my own kiln (bc i live in the countryside so it's difficult to have access to a studio (and really expensive)), could you please talk a little more about your experience of having a kiln in your parent's garage (the type of kiln and mostly what there is to know safety wise) please ? that would be very helpful 🙏 and if you ever feel like it and have time, i would love to learn more about the whole process to create a business (creating a website, tips for marketing on social medias, and also a little bit about administration (even though the french system is probably different, it would be still be interesting),...), that would be really cool ! thank you again for this video, can't wait to see more of your content ! 😊😊

[@thejungleroot1978]

Thank you for sharing your journey. Can you make a video on setting u a business account / steps ?

[@nancym3659]

You did awesome!! No worries on your delivery! I’m from Ohio USA! Yes, we’d like to know more about EVERYTHING!! Lol

[@ComeraStitches]

🌺😊 I would love to hear more about how you got started, Garbo! I'm starting to sell my Art and learning as much as possible so I would appreciate any wisdom you have to share 🎨😁✨

[@goldenagestreams]

Thank you so much! This was so insightful! ♡

[@ourhaven]

I did not even realize you put 23 in the title, I saw the thumbnail, the word pottery and clicked 😅❤ it's so calming for me I will watch anything Pottery🤎

[@sherrriethelyn]

I loved how naive u were, yet u still went ahead with it! Feel like I'm listening from a friend hahah

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

Delulu is the solulu

[@user-ik5cx1up7l]

Thank you for sharing❤, you give an ideal what I should do with my handmake

[@bibshahahahha]

i love your voice so much!

[@christinagrace2471]

Would love a vid on making a website for ceramic shop !

[@lunaq3681]

yess websites topic is great!!

[@Ph.Tran88]

I love this video so much!!

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

Thank u💕💕

[@thedisgustd]

Girl I would love you for decades if you make a video on marketing!

[@cynthiacasusol1805]

Such an inspiring story… Ty for sharing! One question, what type of clay did you use for hand building pottery? Would love to try it at home.

[@ashleywilson2709]

I spent my entire life growing up think I wanted to do cake decorating and become a pastry chef. It took me helping out my neighbour who did had a cake decorating and doing a co-op program my grade 12 year I readlozed that it wasn’t something I wanted to do for the rest of my life; yes I lived doing it but as a hobby and not for a living

[@evaienna]

ah the stuff we do for the algorithm TvT thank you for sharing with us your experience!

[@KendraWilson]

I would love to know your thoughts about websites and online stores. Thank you for this great vid ❤

[@tiffanyh6496]

literally yes to what everyone said already, but also please drop a link for the top you're wearing!!

[@KhanhPham-fj9wp]

i think it would be informative if you can invite your friend who told you to register your business in a podcast/interview form. I would love to learn more about that!! Love your videos

[@laurenrivas4740]

I actually didn’t know you are 23!! :0 I throughly enjoyed this video and it’s really inspiring to see how ur passion for creating led to this business!!!

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

I’m 26 now! I started it at 23 ❤

[@fleonie]

yes pls to the six vs shopify website building process

[@manuelagrandesso2029]

nice story!!!

[@TwoBrokeCorgs]

Definitely want to hear about the websites!!!

[@ashleywilson2709]

Just another tip some studios pefer to only fire piece made in their studio, but what you can do is see if they will fire outside pieces of you buy the material from them.

[@zenya5945]

thank you so much for sharing i❤

[@baboboooo]

ahhhh I strive to be like you and open up a small business, you're so cool and ur work is soooooooo cute! 💞I want to start selling pieces, but I don't even know where or how to start.. I'm in high school and have been making pottery for 2 years now, but I feel like my stuff and style isn't consistent enough to sell 🥲Do you think etsy would be a good place to start, or are there better selling websites to look at? I have an instagram that I've been posting my pieces on, but not selling!

[@LittleLilyPottery]

Thank you for sharing your journey, it is very motivating to see a fellow self taught potter do so well in life. I am a minuscule potter compared to you by the name of Little Lily Pottery and I also follow you on IG! Would you ever do a video about how you started managing your finances as a small business owner? It would be really helpful for people like me. Thanks!

[@XDproductionsXD]

What a wonderful journey. I wish you much sucess and happiness. Throw on~

[@GrumpyKidStudio]

Thank u!!!!

[@amplework]

pls do another video about the website!!

[@claudiasilvapaiva5977]

You are awesome :) love from Portugal ❤❤

[@shaolinpaul806]

Could you please do a more in depth video of your slip casting process xxx

[@joshuatsang3036]

Also, kiln share helped me find a kiln in town!

[@_the_little_mermaid_]

Soooo pretty! What camera are you using?

[@esraozlembuyukbas6288]

i should've say that you have succch a peaceful soul that makes me feel calm while i am watching your video🫶🏻 MasaAllah🌸

[@itsnotfati]

hey, so i have been learning both hand building and wheel throwing for almost a year now, and i have thought about starting a small business million times, but i wanna know how did u learn how to use the kiln?

[@Financialfeline]

i am doing a business too at the age of 30 decided to plumge in so cute the way you speak your journey, want to to do this too, just to. share people as inpiration additon to clay stuff started doing them and damn yes so therapy to me, wish you luck luck

[@saramoooon]

Gorgeous!

[@yasmine5173]

I love this

[@lotushoney9891]

hi I am a new potter learning on the wheel at home. may I ask your favorite clay to use for mugs?

[@salmaosama_]

From where you get your glazes , underglazes , and all the materials

[@rakihsummer]

an architect and potter too?? omg i found somebody similar to me 😊

[@nguyengocduy.english]

Thank your sharing

[@Protectthepeople25]

So pretty artist