How do you open a shop for pottery and other art in a small town. And to have it give back to the community?

Question

My family has been to several places to "do your own pottery/ ceramics" and they fire them for you. (In much larger cities) Our size is maybe 12,000 pop. My goal is to open something similar to this yet allow different classes to be taught also. Ex: painting, scrapbooking, batiking, sewing, sculpture, stainglass...any mediums people (children and teenagers also) would be intrested in. A place for all ages (allow kids to have b-day parties!) Also giving teens a place to hang & show their talents. Of course the art mind has no sense of the business mind. I clearly need advice on how this could be started and where to look for financing . It would be a great opportunity for this small town in TX w/nada. Allowing families and kids to do something unique. I have many ideas and themes found by talking to others. I feel that placing some of the profits with local and international charities would be a good way to give back. (Hab 4 Hum, YoungLife, Compassion I.) Just need a place to start.

Answer 1

wHEN MY WIFE AND i OPENED OUR SHOP,QUITE SOME TIME AGO, iT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET it GOING. Most people have no idea what they wanna make, and it usually boils down to a CUP with their name on it....don't ask me why. You will need a lot of very simple things for people to start on or they will get discouraged and not come back. Have a sample of at least one, of everything in soft ware for them to see. You will need two or three kilns,different sizes. We used an old washing mashine to mix our slip. I have a set of Whiskey Decanters that were samples, and have been offered $200.00 for it.
Scotty
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Answer 2

Before you even begin, you may want to see if you have an interested market out there. The majority of small upstart businesses fail within the first year. My mother tried to start a small business in a small Texas town. It went down fast. This is not to DIScourage you. It's just unfortunate reality.

Those local charities all seem to be connected to "the church", so you may want to do a sincere polling of all the churches in the area. Ask them if they would be willing to do regular business with you. Have clientele and business strategies lined up for your first year before you even start looking for financing. If you are already well connected to the community, your chances of success are much greater - but still not guaranteed. Think it through DEEPLY and THOROUGHLY, and if you believe in God, pray about it.

It's an excellent idea. I wish you well!!

Answer 3

art class blike riding clay making dance classes a place to play games boat riding fishing quick cooking lesson glasses make classess also look and the news paper of any class or activty of the week