Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts and craft but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Nicole Winters, founder of OMshaka handmade, located in Escondido, CA, USA. Nicole is also a yoga practitioner.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I'm a ceramic artist and hand-make pottery inspired by the natural landscapes that I fall in love with.
Tell us about yourself
I got into ceramics in college (as an art major) and quickly fell in love with the medium. I love the messy/grounding quality of clay, and I also love the idea of taking something from the earth and firing it into something permanent that celebrates the beautiful natural landscapes that surround us. Ceramics and writing have long been my passions, so during the pandemic, I took the time at home to really focus as much of my energy as possible on becoming a full-time working artist, and I think that enthusiasm translated into my work in a way that got people excited about it, so it's really begun to take off. I also finished my first collection of poetry, and it is scheduled to be published in August of 2022.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
So far, moving off Etsy onto my own website and having a customer base that gets excited about & collects my work.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
For me, scheduling. I have the tendency to vastly underestimate how long literally anything creative is going to take me. Sometimes I struggle with the work/life balance aspect of having my studio set up at home and setting realistic timelines for myself.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Honestly, find something you are passionate about, and then commit to it. If you're not excited about what you are doing, you can't expect anyone else to be. And starting your own business is incredibly time-consuming, so if you're not all-in, it's going to be really hard to have it take off.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I have to travel and see new places. The inspiration for my creative work is strongly tied to my exploration of nature, so if I go too long in the studio without getting out on some kind of adventure, it starts to feel stagnant, and I get stir crazy. But the inspiration from traveling always leaves me feeling reinvigorated, and usually with a new carving idea for my work.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://omshakahandmade.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omshaka.handmade/
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.