Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts and crafts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Joyner, owner of Brush Strokes Pottery, located in Austin, TX, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Brush Strokes is a community filled with positivity, joy, and passion for everyone to show up as their true authentic selves, play, and create. Our mission is for you to feel a sense of JOY every time you come in contact with Brush Strokes. Whether that's with one of our finished goods, creating your own masterpieces, or simply scrolling through our social media.

Shop our online gift shop for colorful ceramics and DIY art kits you can create at home. Fun for all ages, we offer a variety of pottery items for your paint and color or hand-painted pieces we paint for you. Shipping worldwide to YOU!

Anyone looking for fun gift ideas or colorful home decor and/or to be creatively inspired and try their hand at ceramics has come to the right place. At Brush Strokes, we hope to inspire and empower you to create your happiness!

Tell us about yourself

Honestly, I never wanted to be an entrepreneur. Even though I grew up with two entrepreneurial parents - an artist and an engineer. Instead, I chose the traditional path. College, then on to a dot com start-up, grad school, and back to corporate America. I didn't even realize I was living a lie and was truly unhappy until I was on vacation in Colorado and I saw a cute little pottery shop. Something about it brought me immediate joy. I had no idea why but I couldn't shake the feeling even after returning home. Six months later, I found out my corporate job and project were ending, so I jumped both feet into entrepreneurship without hesitation. I had zero ideas of what I was doing but a calling in my heart that said this is what I am meant to do. I trusted my instinct, decided to go for it, and I've never looked back!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The growth of my business has allowed me to employ a staff of young women attending college within the Austin community. My goal daily is to provide a safe space for these young women to feel empowered, learn leadership and problem-solving skills, be encouraged to dream big, and most importantly, show up unapologetically as themselves. We work hard and have fun in the process. We remind ourselves that WE can do hard things. Support one another. Celebrate successes. Comfort in hard times. And always, as the glittery sign says at the front door, bring positive vibes only. Being able to mentor and see them flourish into bright stars is my most treasured accomplishment as a business owner.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Pushing past my perfectionist nature. I have a tendency to overthink everything, and it can hold me back. For example, before I start a YouTube channel, I have to have all this lighting equipment, professional background, the perfect script, and this and that and on and on. Then it feels too daunting, so I never actually do the dang thing. LOL!

I've worked a lot these past two years on trusting my gut and simply trying something - even if it wasn't "ready" in my mind. Slow and steady little bits of action to keep me and my business moving forward. You can always amend it and make it better down the road, but if you never try, then you'll never know.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Stay true to your passion. Being an entrepreneur can be a tough road but also one that's incredibly rewarding. Your passion will help bring you back to your purpose during those tough times.
  2. Ask for help! You don't have to do it alone, and there's no reason why you can't have what someone else does. Ask others for advice and tips on how they have achieved something you are wanting to do. You'll be surprised how much people are willing to help if you simply reach out.
  3. Solve the problem. Turn any "failures" into solutions and allow them to be teaching moments. Broken product = how can we improve packaging. Bad review = how we can provide better customer support. Employee error = how can I be more clear in our training process. Constantly work on how you can be better instead of dwelling on what may have gone wrong.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Be more curious! We have so many stresses in our life that can keep us from being curious and playful. Don't let them. If you've been wanting to try a new painting craft, cooking class, floral arrangement, workout, or shoot even a new makeup application - DO IT. Give yourself permission to try something new. Who knows, you might just surprise yourself and have a little fun.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://brushstrokespottery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brushstrokespottery/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brushstrokespottery/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEerqJdDv5zgy-obZbpGwbA
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/brushstrokespottery/_created/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.