Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Holly Dowidat, founder of Dowidat Ceramics, located in Fort Wayne, IN, USA.

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

Dowidat Ceramics is a small business based on a variety of unique hand-carved mugs to seasonal pieces that push the line to functional. My core business started working in a niche market, selling at conventions with a transfer process of characters that my husband digitally created. Then the business moved into a pure design with function, with a variety of transfers and glaze techniques. Our customers enjoy the variety of styles I create, offering a wide range to the diversity of people out there. The one item Dowidat Ceramics offers is a large variety are mugs. I made it a goal mission that if you are going to create one piece, you make that one item great. Mugs have been that item for her; the variety of decoration and styles are massive, each serving a different reason behind form and function.

Tell us about yourself

I have always known that working in the arts was in my future; it has been a bonus to do what I love and share the items I love to make through my business. The real push to go off and make this business what it is was when I lived in Detroit working at an Art Center and was just tired of letting another justify what my skills were. I got the push and support from friends that had already made throwing pottery a successful career. So leaving my fiancé in Detroit, I moved back to Indiana and worked out of my little studio at my parent's house. The rest of this story leads me to today, where I wake up and enjoy the freedom and challenges this business leads to.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Going full-time in my business! I had always thought that an extra job would sustain what I needed until the pandemic. When the Substitute teaching job was no longer available with schools shutting down, I took the plunge into making and pushing my website. It was a crazy year full of emotions, growing the studio to full garage space and leaving my now-husband in Detroit while I settled in our dream home in a new city. I started to work with other small businesses creating their needs in my style and growing Dowidat Ceramics' name in this part of the world.

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

Motivation and staying focused can be a challenge; it takes to strive to have the freedom to choose your own schedule and not hold off on items that need to be completed. It is easy to say I can do it tomorrow, and then tomorrow turns into next week. Creating a schedule allows you to stay focused and create while also allowing you not to become overwhelmed, giving you the time off needed. It can become equally difficult to allow the creative process to take over your time and not allow a healthy, balanced lifestyle. This was at first difficult. I would spend hours in the studio, not giving myself lunch breaks and just striving through. It will wear you down and become an unhealthy lifestyle, so now I strive on giving myself an hour for lunch and take that time to walk the dogs usually.

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

  1. It is ok to say "No!" Creating a business is not an easy challenge; it will and can test your passion, but it is ultimately your choice. For example, if your business strives to take commissions or customs and you enjoy it, then be specific about the guidelines, but if you hate taking on commissions or customs, then say no. You have the freedom to choose what works for you, don't let the money just talk because it will never feel like enough if you hate what you're doing.
  2. Learn what you can, and if you are in college or have the opportunity to take on classes for business, I would suggest so. It is always peace of mind knowing how a company can be created. Developing a business plan can help you stay focused on what you can realistically do and can't. It's a blueprint for your goals, mission statement, and other important details that will allow your business to strive.
  3. Communication is important to any relationship; this goes along with business; talking to customers, other business owners and building relationships can allow your business to strive. But creating boundaries can be equally important to this rule. Boundaries can help allow individuals to know where they stand within your circle and business. Example would be to make sure you allow the hours when communication takes place. I would always receive messages throughout different hours and feel bad for not getting back to them right away, but now boundaries are set in place when I answer.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

If something isn't working or has worked and doesn't anymore, it is time to change it up and grow from the previous experience. Looking back on my personal career, I can see the critical changes from going into wanting to teach in a professional setting into what I do today. Those roads of development were walked for me to make the right changes in my career. Against a lot of struggle and doubt, I refused to give in to an easy path. I'm still learning, growing, and seeking new challenges in my professional growth. I don't have all the answers; no one does because if we did…well, how fun life would be if you just knew everything.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://dowidatceramics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dowidat.Ceramics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dowidat.ceramics/

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.

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