‘My customers come to de-stress and unwind’
Jane Fox, 50, owns a paint-yourown-pottery studio. She lives in Preston with her husband Bob, 52.
‘There’s nothing I love more than the sound of silence. Last week, I hosted a pottery painting party for 28 women, and as a hush descended on the studio, I felt a thrill of satisfaction I’m able to offer people such a creative way to escape the stresses of modern life.
For over 20 years, I had a career in the hotel industry, working my way up to general manager. I loved looking after people, but 100-hour weeks meant I had a poor work-life balance. Then, in 2005, flicking through a magazine, I spotted an ad for a company that ran pottery painting parties. I’d never heard of such a thing, but after researching online, I learned that they were growing in popularity. No one was running them in my area, and I knew I’d spotted a business opportunity.
I’ve always been creative but my talents lay in sewing. I worried I wouldn’t be able to do pottery painting, but with Bob’s encouragement, I signed up for a two-day course with a ceramic artist. It cost £120, and I found it so calming transforming a plate or mug into something beautiful. I knew other people would love it, too.
While still taking lessons so I could lead a group myself, I invested around £20,000 from my savings into leasing and renovating an empty retail unit a few miles from my home, converting it into a studio and café. My plan was to offer drinks and pre-packaged snacks, so I only needed basic permission from the council.
After buying tables, chairs, a kiln and materials, I set money aside to pay myself a wage as I knew it might take a while before I was making enough to take a salary. My business, Fired 4 U, launched in April 2006, a month after I quit my hotel job.
My customers can either make their own pieces, or I can supply plain pottery for painting, which I buy in from UK suppliers as well as Thailand, China and Italy. I glaze and fire all the pieces in the kiln, then they’re ready to be taken home. I charge between £15-£30 to paint a vase and £15 for a child to paint a mug. The price includes the pottery, paint and use of equipment. The studio opens up to seven days a week, depending on the time of year, and typically I spend four days there, and one day at home doing admin. I have a couple of part-time employees to help run things; turnover is around £52,000 a year. Over the years, I’ve continued to train, to learn new techniques and stay on top of trends.
Customers include new mums who want to make a handprint gift with their baby, to professionals who come to de-stress. They leave feeling refreshed after a few hours concentrating solely on their project. It really is escapism.’ • fired4u.co.uk