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I first had the idea to open a paint your own pottery studio back in 2001, and opened my doors 2 years later, (due to 9/11 and the area I’m in). I will be coming up on 4 ½ years of business soon and in that time I have watched one paint your own pottery studio in my area open and close, and a second close its doors for good.
I have no doubt that the advice and training Connie Speer gave me is largely responsible for my success so far. Make no mistake – it has been the hardest thing I’ve ever done - but Connie has ALWAYS been there to answer my calls and give me support, ideas and reassurance. Connie will give it to you straight. She doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear, but she DOES listen to your thoughts and concerns and works with YOU, the individual.
And for anyone concerned about working with someone who is not local, let me put your fears to rest. I am in New Jersey; Connie is in Texas. She actually taught me to glaze and fire over the phone, and as she will tell you, that’s the easy part. In order to be successful in this business, you need to be determined, tenacious and have a great consultant. The last part is the easiest - just give Connie a call.
Valerie Taylor
Casa Picasso
Since the moment I spoke with Connie and her mother Pat, I knew that there was no other team I would want by my side. They provided me with the most comprehensive and professional consulting services money can buy. Opening a paint your own pottery studio is not easy. Doing it with them takes most of the headaches away. Their experience within the ceramic field cannot be surpassed. Both are a pleasure to talk to and Connie really enables you to understand that the work you have cut out for yourself. She helps you through it and even takes a lot of the pain away. Pottery In The Works could not have happened in the time span that I created without the professionalism and knowledge Connie and Pat have to offer.
Thank you so much,
Damon and Donna
We would like to take the time to thank you for all of your support in opening our new studio. We greatly appreciate your knowledge of the industry, your ability to be straightforward and honest and the continued information that you share with us. In opening Sunshine Glaze, my partner and I did not have a clue on how or where to begin putting together a successful paint your own pottery studio. Connie, you gave us direction and insight about the business that has helped us to create a fantastic studio. The letters and articles that you continue to send about paints, new studio sellers, problem solving ideas, etc. keep us informed and on top of industry data that helps us to stay in the know for our customers.
Here we are, 6 years open and we still value the fact that we can pick up the telephone, contact you about any scenario in the business, and feel completely comfortable and confident with your suggestions. You are, without a doubt, a very positive asset to our creative studio. Thank you for your consultative and professional relationship; we look forward to a long partnership with you.
Shana Bridges
Sunshine Glaze
Peace of mind; that is what I think of when I think of Connie Speer. I had no experience in owning my own business or ceramics, and she had all the answers to both. She has been available every step of the way to get my business over any bump in the road, large or small. I could not have opened my doors without her and she still supplies me with productive, progressive information.
Leslie Tucker
Art and Soul
Connie,
Hello there! Thank you SO much for sending me the articles. I have spent the last several evenings rereading all the marketing info etc that you have ever sent-WOW! It is so great to go over all of it again! I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all the time you put into that information. It is really helpful and I am thankful that I have it. My only regret is not having plugged into more of it before now. I know, I know, you certainly cautioned us about dragging our feet on the marketing and you were right. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I appreciate it and despite the nervousness of "cold calling" I am working through the marketing telephone script-it really did help to practice at your workshop no matter how awkward it felt at the time! I am excited and hopeful about the New Year.
Cindy Baxter
Bisque Bistro
Connie Speer has been and always will be the best investment I made for my new studio. Connie, and her team at American Ceramics, were always personal, available and ready for any challenge that came up before, during, and after I made the decision to open Paint Your Own Pottery, Inc. It's now been 3 years since I've known Connie, and 2-1/2 years since the studio has opened, and I have always considered myself lucky to have teamed up with Connie.
Debra O'Toole
Paint your own Pottery, Inc.
Connie was invaluable in helping me start my business. She walked me through the process step by step, from ordering my kilns to putting in my first bisque order. This process can be very overwhelming, but with her guidance, it was very simple. She assisted in my first glazing and firing attempt, which can also be very intimidating. I have been open for 6 years and she still offers support whenever I need it. I could not have done it without her. She was truly awesome.
Wendy Skarda
Create It
Connie Speer was an invaluable resource to me when I opened my studio. She provided me with all of the information and tools that I needed to run a successful business.I highly recommend Connie to anyone wanting to make sure they are equipped for success!
Kimberly Bursey-Reece
Funstone Pottery Painting Studio
With the 20/20 accuracy of hindsight, I can say that hiring Connie Speer as pottery consultant for opening my paint your own pottery studio was an excellent decision. My studio, Pottery By You & Beads Too! in Madison, AL, has now been open for four years and we have sales of over 200K. With the unbelievable number of decisions facing me at startup - with no background in ceramics or business -- it was wonderful to be able to rely on Connie's experience. I still use what she taught me in day to day operations today - pricing, ordering, dipping & firing, and so on. What she taught me has been my foundation.
Jule
Pottery By You & Beads, Too!
Connie Rocks! I began my venture with my own business plan and ideas about how I wanted to get things done, but once I started working with Connie I realized how many mistakes I would have made trying to do it all on my own. She was the second set of eyes and ears that I needed to get this together and running, especially since part of my time was preoccupied with having a beautiful baby girl! Thank you Connie, you were the difference in my starting a successful business and just opening a business.
Anne Romanello
Village Clay Your Way
It has always been a dream of mine to open up a pottery studio. When my art teaching position was reduced to part time, I jumped on the opportunity to fulfill my dream. I am so thankful I came across the services of Connie Speer. Although I have an art and pottery background, my business knowledge was lacking. Without Connie’s expertise and professional guidance, along with her great sense of humor, I would not be in the process of fulfilling my dream. I wouldn’t have known where to begin and what steps to follow. I know that because I have Connie’s never ending support, my studio will be successful! Thank you, Connie
Courtney Dentel
The Pottery Spot
When I first started thinking about opening a contemporary studio, I was doing research on the internet and sent Connie an e-mail regarding here consulting service. Even though it was the night before Christmas eve, she responded! I was further pleased that she spent over an hour with me on the phone, before I even decided to hire her, just to make sure I knew completely what would be involved.
Her binders are exceptional. Almost every time I have a question, or just to make sure I’m doing something right, I can refer to my binder and get exactly the answer I need, very well detailed. I love that Connie wrote these books because I as I’m reading, I can hear her telling me that exact thing over the phone.
She is always well organized, thorough, and very well informed. You might think that with so much going on, she may have to be refreshed on who you are or what your issue is, but that is never the case.
Another thing that was really helpful was the cash flow projections, and start up budget. These tools have been useful to not only keep me within budget, but allowing me the freedom to purchase items I need. Many times I’d hesitate to spend money, but than look at my budget and realize that I have that money available to spend in that category, so I’d feel less apprehensive.
There are so many other things I’ve been pleased with: the shopping guide and suggestions on places to get things, samples of brochures and flyers, floor plan layout. We’ll put it this way. If it wasn’t for Connie, my business probably wouldn’t have even opened doors. My shop is 100x better now than it would have been had I done it without her help, and I definitely recommend her to anyone.
Elaina Giron
Of Mine Design
Getting involved with Connie early on in my planning process was the best thing I could have done. She helped me with everything I needed to do -- the things I needed to purchase, the amounts I needed to budget for and the things I didn’t think about. Being a CPA and having a master’s degree in finance, I could have done a lot of the business plan, budgeting, etc. However, she had an inside knowledge of the things I might have overlooked, not to mention the amount of time she saved me from doing it all by myself. I honestly do not think I could have opened as easily as I did without her help and guidance. I would suggest and do suggest using her “turn key” services to save yourself unnecessary frustration.
Patty Birdsell
Firehouse Pottery
If you are thinking about opening a contemporary ceramics studio you MUST hire Connie Speer. Without Connie I don’t know how I would have opened my business in only six months. Connie paid for her consulting fee in savings to my business start up. In just one instance Connie negotiated with my contractor and saved $3,000 on the electrical work for the new store. This savings plus the discounts on bisque, free shipping from suppliers, special discounted kiln prices, and many savings in time has made her consulting fee a bargain!
Consider these questions when you are thinking about hiring Connie as a consultant:
· Do you know what type of kiln to order?
· Can you speak with a contractor about wiring the kilns and vents?
· Do you know which bisque sells the best, what you should order, and how many of each piece?
· What other crafts (mosaics, glass, etc…) should you have in your store?
· How much money will you need in a start up budget?
· Do you know how to make a business plan that will wow the bank and landlord?
· Have you negotiated a lease before and can you understand what is standard and what isn’t in the legal document?
If you don’t know the answers to any of these crucial questions then I recommend that you hire Connie!
Amy Trice
Artful Adventures
Opening a pyop studio was an idea that started a couple of years ago. During that time I did a lot of research into starting a business and the pyop industry, but I felt that I needed something more to help me make it really happen. I contacted Connie Speer and spent a good time talking to her about her consulting services and quickly made the decision to hire her. It was just the right decision. She has a wealth of knowledge and is very clear and complete in outlining exactly what needs to be done. She is obviously interested in making my efforts succeed and I couldn't be more pleased that I made the decision to hire her.
I live in a state far away from Connie, but that has not interfered at all with her consulting. Through the telephone and the Internet, I forget she's actually on the other side of the country.
Would I do it again? Without a doubt!
Peggy Hill
Make It Yours Pottery Studio
When we began researching information about Paint Your Own Pottery Studio’s we stumbled across their website online. Boy, was that the miracle we were looking for! I, Rebecca, am an accountant by trade and Jeff is a veteran in education. We consider ourselves pretty business savvy, but nothing could prepare us for the world of PYOP’s like Connie. She had everything we needed all in one place. HER BRAIN! As well as a comprehensively written business plan with all the bells and whistles. Our job was to listen, learn and trust her expertise. This was not easy, but Connie’s quick wit, firm guidance and constant encouragement made it something we have been able to accomplish and her continued guidance is a bonus not common in the consulting world. If you want to open your own studio, do it right and give yourself the edge at becoming a successful, profitable studio, then Connie is the only choice to make. We are glad we did.
Jeff and Rebecca Stephanik
Mold Me and Make Me Pottery Studio
My experience of painting ceramics was taking my kids to a local studio to make gifts for the family. As my kids started school I wanted a flexible job to accommodate their schedule. After doing research a ceramic studio seemed like it would be a perfect fit for me and for our town. I started doing research on how to get started. I visited several studios where I talked with the owners and also studios where I sat as a customer and painted and observed their studio. I found my location, decided on a name and décor and then I had started going over my notes from other studio owners, but I started to get overwhelmed on what do next.
I contacted several consultants that I found over the internet and Connie was by far the best one. At first I was a little hesitant on using her because of the distance but after talking with her I felt very confident in her abilities. Connie stood out over her competitors by always calling me back the day and time that she said she would and giving me her undivided attention during each phone session. She is very direct and to the point, which is good when you have no idea what you are doing and when you are a great distance apart. She walked me through everything from what the tiniest sponge is used for to programming and loading my kiln.
I could have never opened my business with out her. My studio has been opened since July 2006 and from day one I have gotten so many compliments on the little details in the studio, details that came from Connie. It is very reassuring to know that if I need anything Connie and her staff is just a phone call away.
Sincerely,
Jamie Harrison
Pottery Corral
December was an awesome "trial by fire" month to open the new pottery studio. We began advertising as we unpacked our first bisque order. Thanks to your thorough education process, efficiency, and daily assistance, pulling the new business together went nearly flawless. Without you Connie, we would still be researching rather than up and running. You and everyone on your team were so helpful, it was like a having a partner who knew the business inside and out beside us every step of the way. The pottery studio has been the perfect compliment and addition to my existing art studio & gallery.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Jeff Ward
Ward Studio & Gallery
Painterly Pottery
When my wife and I where first thinking of opening a paint your own pottery studio, we knew that we had to act quickly and not drag the process out for a long time. We were excited about a certain area that we wanted to open in, but we really did not have a clue what we were doing. I use to go during my lunch hour to try to research local and nation-wide PYOP studios. I was reaching the end of my research, and really was not finding out enough for my wife and I to continue. We found ourselves back on the web looking at complete packages that one could buy to start a studio, which would have been a huge mistake. Somehow, someway, I stumbled across a testimonial page on the web, and I was reading testimonial after testimonial about this person who was a “God-Send” and that “they could not have done it without her”. I realized that I was reading about Connie. When we hired Connie, everything fell into place. We absolutely could not have done it with out her, and it is amazing to me that she does not charge more for the amount of information, knowledge and help that she gives you. I know now that we would have made a huge mistake not hiring her, and I think that our business would be struggling to get off the ground at all. We are now in our sixth month of operation, and we are already surpassing the goals she helped us set. I have to say that she is with you the whole way. It is extremely hard work, and don’t think that she waives her magic wand and boom you're in business. She gives you the tools and the knowledge to be successful, guides you, holds your hand, pushes you and that is what makes her a good mentor, teacher and consultant.
Mike and Lorie Sullivan
Ceramic Cellar Art Studios
Words do not begin to express how priceless Connie is. When I was thinking of opening my own studio, I was searching and researching and found Connie. After meeting with her, I knew that this is what I wanted to do and was absolutely sure that Connie was the one to help me get there. I cannot say enough about her. She is worth EVERY penny and then some.
I am often asked if I could have done this without Connie. I am not sure that I could have because of all the things I learned from her. Her knowledge has no limit and she is always there for me. Even when I have called with what I felt were stupid questions that would make us both laugh, she always assured me that I was not the first. She is fun, yet very professional. She is an absolute pleasure to work with. It is such a great feeling to know that someone is there to help you with every step. Connie has been there for me from the time I was deciding if this is truly what I wanted to do until the day I opened my doors. She is still my “go to” girl. She always knows the answer or where to find it. She has shared my success and even things that may not have be so successful. She stood solid and saw me thru them. Connie is a Godsend.
On a personal note, I want to thank you, Connie. I am forever grateful that I found you. You always tell me what is best (not just what I want to hear) and then you let me stand on my own two feet. I know I can trust your advice and you will always have my best interest at heart. Thank you for giving so generously of yourself and always sharing in my vision.
I also want to thank Pat and the staff for always being so helpful. You have made me feel like I am part of your family now.
Sabrina Threlkeld
Art’s of Glaze
I am so thankful to my sister who dragged me along with her to convention this year, Not only was it a fabulous experience for me as a potential new contemporary ceramic studio owner, but I met an angel from above “Connie Speer” You are truly my guardian angel. I don’t know how I would have survived without you. You helped me open my eyes and see exactly what the business is about, and although I had the guidance of my sister who owned a studio as well you have taught me so much. I can not even begin to tell you how helpful it has been having a business plan and even though I am only open 8 weeks I have referred back to my business plan a number of times and I know it will forever be a guide for me. Your phone sessions taught me so much and your personality made it that much more interesting. I have followed your guidance step by step and I am so happy with the way my new business has begun. Your 90-day marketing plan has been a huge success. Connie Speer you have truly been under paid for the amount of knowledge you have given me to be a successful business owner. I am glad you are always a phone call away. I highly recommend your service to anyone getting started in the business!
Thank You, Carrie
Created by You
I truly believe that having Connie on-board as our consultant from the very beginning allowed us to show a profit in our very first month which is practically unheard of in new business start-ups. I’m a person who aggressively reaches out for as much information as possible to assist my decision making. Every single resource and observation —from the planning stages to creating a business plan to managing a new property build-out to supplying the store to marketing and operating the store—has supported everything she has shared with me and has proven to me that I can rely on Connie for immediate direction in every situation. And, I mean everything down to the last wall plug and light socket in our store. Having her on your team immediately helps you advance light years ahead of where you would have been without her.
Chuck Jones
Mud About You
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