Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in arts & crafts but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Molly Sanyour, Founder of Molly Sanyour Ceramics, LLC., located in Richmond, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
My business is Molly Sanyour Ceramics which encompasses my love of clay, from creating to teaching to learning. Everyone loves clay, and my business brings that out. My customers range from those who appreciate using handmade work in their daily lives to those looking to learn the craft and improve their skills to those who enjoy watching satisfying videos of the process.
Tell us about yourself
I have been a full-time art teacher for 17 years. At the start of my profession, I worked a waitressing job a couple of nights a week to make ends meet. Nine years ago, I landed a high school ceramics teaching position, which allowed me to focus on my craft versus the elementary position I had held previously.
At the same time, I spent too much time on social media watching pottery videos and thought I should be creating content instead of just consuming it! In 2015, I stopped waiting tables and turned my passion for clay into a "side hustle." I filed for an LLC, built my home studio, created a logo, and started a Molly Sanyour Ceramics Instagram account, where I now have 125k followers.
What motivates me every day are the endless possibilities that my business creates, from brand partnerships to museum shows to creating new work and building my "Throwing with Molly" membership, which is an online community for clay enthusiasts of all skill levels from all over the world! Being an entrepreneur is another way to expand my creativity through business ideas versus clay!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
One of my most significant accomplishments so far was seeing Lizzo drinking out of my now-copyrighted Butt Mug on her Vogue interview, followed by seeing her naked with just my Butt Mug covering her boob in a Dove campaign for body positivity, and finally seeing her use my Butt Mug in her TikToks! Through the excitement and demand for the Butt Mugs, I ran a successful Kickstarter. Now my butt mugs are being mass-produced with an ETA of January 2023 and will be available through Amazon and stores!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the most complex parts of being a business owner is feeling like I need more time to finish everything. I like to dream big, and I am constantly taking on new projects, so some days I can feel overwhelmed that my "to-do list" is constantly growing without making much progress.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Here are some tips for running and growing a business today: don't wait!
- Focus on something that you love and that brings you joy!
- Dream big, aim for continuous growth, even if it is little steps at a time, and keep going!
- And finally, find and build a team of people who can support, guide, and encourage you through your process.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.mollysanyourceramics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mollysanyourceramics
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollysanyourceramics/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mollysanyour/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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