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Welcome back everyone. In the sixth and final part of my blog series, I want to discuss something that affects all of our financial journeys: Superannuation. Perhaps you’re concerned about your retirement savings? Or maybe uncertain about how to make the most .....
Insider - 5 min read
I have worked in the arts for the past 30 years as a teacher, an arts administrator and organiser and as an artist. I studied at City Art Institute (now UNSW Art and Design) in the 80’s where I majored in ceramics and won the inaugural Telstra Graduating Student Prize. This took me to Italy where I lived and worked for a year and half. When I returned to Australia I spent 2 years teaching pottery in remote communities around Australia with an organisation called the Teenage Roadshow.
Chinaclay is a store and gallery specializing in handmade Australian ceramics. When I opened in mid 2013 I had the work of 12 artists, but now over 2 years down the track, I have sold the work of over 50 artists from around the country. The work I sell includes functional and decorative. Initially I also sold a lot of my own work, but the shop took over and I don’t have time to make my own work at the moment.
I grew up in Sydney, on the leafy north shore.
Chinaclay opened in 2013. I have always had a love of ceramics both as a maker and as an appreciator. As a child I remember seeing someone make a jug on a potters wheel and was fascinated, just as much as I was at pre school when we had the chance to play with clay. In my adult life I’ve maintained my studio practiced in between full time and part time work.
I am most proud of what I have achieved with Chinaclay. It is a beautiful space with unique hand crafted work made by some of Australia’s most talented potters and makers. My customers are wonderful and ever increasing in number. I’ve also established a strong following on Instagram and Facebook.
Finding a work life balance is difficult when you have your own business as it is all consuming. Fortunately I love what I do and for the most part I enjoy all aspects of the business. It has taken a lot of creative energy to realise Chinaclay. The personal satisfaction has been immense despite all the challenges.
The biggest challenges have been promotion as I can’t afford marketing outside of social media. My other biggest challenge is saying ‘no’ to people when I can’t take on their work to sell.
My main business goals are achieving a sustainable financial situation and keeping the shop and gallery an interesting environment to come into. I have to continue to work hard at building my customer base by getting the word out that I’m here. I need to improve the way I manage my website and on line store.
I have been thinking about ways that I can change or tweak my business model to make it more flexible and responsive to meet the changing ways that people shop as well as the way the look at and buy art.
Love what you do.
Set your business on the right path with this simple guide.
Make sure you’re on the right track with this online checklist.
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Altus Wealth Pty Limited ABN 55 649 956 212 is an Authorised Representative of Altus Financial Services Pty Ltd ABN 24 637 026 825 an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL no. 520266). Altus Financial Services Pty Ltd is not responsible for the advice, products and services provided by Altus Accounting. Julie Azzi is a credit representative (CR No. 366834) of BLSSA Pty Ltd ABN 69 117 651 760 (Australian Credit Licence 391237).
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