How I started my Creative Business in 4 Surprising Steps

Wheel Throwing in the little River Ceramics Studio

How and Why so fast?!

I loved Ceramics SO much that there was no question I needed to find a way to sell some of my creations in order to keep making.

On reflection, I can see that the steps I took at that time provided the perfect safety net. This helped me to overcome my ‘imposter syndrome’ and open myself to the encouragement and support readily available.

In this post I will explain the 4 vital steps I took, and how they helped to build my creative business in an authentic and exciting way.

Why the safety net was important for me to step into the void.

Most people starting a new business experience the Imposter Syndrome. After all, with little experience, who was I to step onto the field?

In this article by ‘Its Nice That’ they reference a study which found “the creative arts and design industry has the highest rate of imposter syndrome across all sectors, affecting nearly 87 per cent of respondents.”

To me this reflects that nearly EVERYONE on the field also had to take that first un-nerving step.

The 4 Steps I took to move past this stage, and start my Creative Business.

1. I made a lot of work!

This seems obvious, but practising at every available hour, testing ideas and developing unique products, was a key element in establishing something unique.

Why this was important

It meant that I was not precious about each individual item. As I mention in both my online courses, and my freebie ‘7 Steps to Creativity’ , it is my view that Creative Flow is found most easily when you are not attached tightly to a defined outcome. Finesse can be found as you develop and grow.

Ceramics is a vast pool of techniques, materials and variables. Exploring these in depth and being willing to make mistakes is a fast track to learning in those early stages. I have an in-depth blog covering my experience with this important part of the process called Failure & Creativity: Why Making ‘Bad Art’ Leads to Innovation and Originality

2. I offered my first sales as ‘Ceramic Seconds’ through Facebook Marketplace.

With all of the work I had, I needed somewhere to move them and reinvest some money back into my creative pursuit. A quick 2 minute post had an impact I could never have anticipated.

Why this was important

• It was a huge encouragement boost. I was used to friends and family giving me praise for my efforts, but to have the general public excited by what I was doing felt validating, and helped me to keep me going.

• People LOVE Ceramic Seconds. Just the term strikes excitement into the eyes of ceramic lovers, so the interest was enormous!

• Having my pieces listed as seconds felt safe. I was very early in my development as a ceramicist, so calling and pricing them as such helped me overcome the imposter syndrome in an authentic way. I could be a beginner and put forward less-than-perfect work without feeling insecure, and with the implication that better work was to come (which of course it was!)

• I was recognised early. I wasn't aware at the time, though on reflection I see that this became the start of my trust & brand building story. People loved being a part of the journey and they helped to share what I was doing with others.

3. I accepted a place in a working studio, which required me to be present for 1 day per week.

Why this was important

• Having an obligation to be dedicating myself to this new craft on a regular day AWAY from the house, meant that I was not negotiating time for my ‘hobby’ with family. It was set, and it was happening. I was free from my regular tasks.

• I felt that I then owed it to myself to work hard and make the best use of that time.

• I was showing my work and selling my work, which also helped feed back into the fledgling business.

• I was meeting other creatives who had gone on similar journeys, and they generously shared lots of wisdom & experience.

4. I started telling my story on Instagram with authenticity and enthusiasm.

This is unlikely to be a new concept to you, though I would be wrong to leave out this key part of my experience.

Why this was important

• By showing my work and my process at the very early stages, it gave me a chance to start refining my storytelling skills. I cringe to look back on my awful photos, though I simply couldn't have been here without being there first!

• I chose to be authentic which meant that posting regularly was easy. Editing your voice and persona takes time and effort, so showing up with any vulnerability, fails or ridiculous excitement felt like an easy process to me.

  The unexpected payoff to this was that people could relate, felt connected, and therefore offered me incredible support.

• My account grew at an amazing speed and I am grateful to still have a community of support all these years later.

What would this look like for you?

Your steps may look different to my steps, though I wanted to share my story to encourage those on the precipice to look for opportunities which support you in taking the leap.

Each of my steps required me to believe in myself. Not necessarily that my work was brilliant (it wasn't! ), but that I had somewhere to grow. Having unwavering enthusiasm and passion helped me to put in the long hours and for people to want to be a part of the experience.

I hope that you too can set up your own steps to success in your creative business, and that my story gave you some ideas to try.

More Resources

If you need help in being nudged over the edge into believing that Creative Play is important when working hard for your craft, you might enjoy another blog I have ‘For Love or Money ~ Balancing Business with Creativity’

If you would like a copy of my ‘7 Steps to Creativity’ for more ideas on developing a Creative Life you can subscribe to my course page here and receive it for free.

River Ceramics Online Courses

Year round I currently offer 4 online courses, which share tips and take you through projects in the areas of clay I love the most. I really enjoyed making these courses and feel so happy to regularly get amazing feedback and 5* reviews from those who have completed them.

I hope to make one more full course in 2025 and start providing some smaller fun options too. Please subscribe to my mail list on the course page to hear about what’s new!