Safiya's Story: She Almost Gave Up. Then the Space Appeared.

Safiya didn't plan to open a clay studio. She planned to take a break.
After 15 years in higher education, teaching, research, coaching, she quit her job, moved to Ancaster, and picked up pottery as a hobby. Something just for her. Then the job market dried up. Then she couldn't find a studio space. Then she gave herself six months, and she almost ran out of time.

In this episode, Safiya gets into the full story: growing up in Dubai, starting a dessert subscription box business before moving to Canada, the long search for a space, and what it actually felt like to open a creative studio six months ago with no roadmap and a lot of faith. Safiya talks pricing, pivots, building community from scratch, the tension between keeping things affordable and running a real business, and why pottery and small business have more in common than you think.

Safiya also shares a moment from her studio that stopped the conversation cold — a story about a family, a funeral, and what healing with your hands actually looks like.

Find Safiya at @kreativeklay.ca on Instagram and at kreativeklay.ca
Because your story matters.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:02

You're listening to The Lowdown. I'm Kasty Lowen, Real Conversations with Small Business Owners in Hamilton. The version they tell their best friend, not the one they post. Because your story matters. So let's get into it. Hey, and welcome back to the Lowdown. I'm your host, Casty, and today we're sitting down with Sapia who runs Creative Clay in Ancaster. We are gonna get into her story. And thank you, Saphia, for coming on. Thank you for having me, girl. And what are you usually doing on a Tuesday? Are you usually in the studio already? So Tuesday is my day off. Okay.

SPEAKER_02 0:45

Which really just means I'm taking meetings or doing something else. So yeah, it's not really a day off, but it's it's it's a day to get to appointments and and you know do extra meetings that I can't or like off studio, uh, you know, off-site meetings and stuff like that. So I'm always doing something or the other. So I'm never actually as an entrepreneur, like you don't have a break.

SPEAKER_01 1:08

Like no, it's 24-7.

SPEAKER_02 1:10

Even in the morning, I was like on social media because I've I've been on a break for two days, uh, which is so rare. Like that never happens. But we'll talk about that, like why that happened and all of those kind of things.

SPEAKER_01 1:22

Yeah, you're very active on the socials for sure.

SPEAKER_02 1:26

I'd like to think I'm probably trying too hard, I feel like sometimes, because some people have it like more naturally. Like when I see your stuff, I'm like, wow, that's so aesthetically pleasing. Like, I should do like a course or something on it. But like I said, my background is not in marketing, so I'm just I'm just trying, I'm trying to keep and as an entrepreneur, you kind of have to wear all the hats, right? Especially at this stage, uh, when we're like so new. So it's it's it's a little little daunting to be honest, but yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:56

It's a lot. Okay, so let's take a couple steps back for the listeners who haven't heard of Creative Clay. Tell us where you began first, because this is all new for you as well.

SPEAKER_02 2:07

It is, yeah, in a in a sense, yeah. Okay, where do we start? So let me start from the beginning, which is essentially like a little bit about my background and you know where I'm from and all of those good things. Okay, so I grew up in Dubai and moved to Canada in 2019. Not a great year because 2020. Yeah, yeah. Um but it was it was okay. Um, you know, and like I have always been in higher ed. So I I I was teaching research. Before that, I worked in recruitment and student recruitment, student life, you name it. Like I've probably worked in every department.

SPEAKER_01 2:50

Wow. So this is back in Dubai as well, is when you came. Okay, okay.

SPEAKER_02 2:55

Yes. But I do come from a business family, so that has always kind of been in my blood, in a sense. Uh so I've uh like my dad and my even my husband's side. So it's like it's pretty, it's pretty interesting to see that, you know, like that kind of support in a sense. And so in Dubai, I actually um also, you know, I used to watch Shark Tank a lot, like a lot. It was it was a little unhealthy, but but I think I think it's something that my brother and I used to love watching as well growing up. And so I actually started a business in Dubai, which was a dessert subscription box. Oh, cool. Yes, that that I know it's a very different concept in Dubai, and it was like the first of its kind, and essentially it was like the ultimate cheat day mystery box that you would give a sweet tooth, someone with a sweet tooth. Oh, that's awesome. So we would work with like different bakeries, and you know, like um would have a theme every month, and we really worked with a lot of like women-owned businesses as well, like women-owned bakeries that no one knew about, like those, you know, very niche and um secluded ones that no one knows about, kind of like hidden gems. Yes, and so it's really cool because every month you would have a curated box full of surprise goodies, and you can try out these places, and sometimes there would be vouchers too, so you can actually go in person and and claim those as well. So it was quite fun. I had just started it and then we had to move, so I had to shut it down. So I was doing that on the side. I would it was never like like what I'm doing right now, which is like a full-time you know thing. So it was you can you can call it a side hustle. I was still teaching, you know, doing my PhD, all this stuff thing. So it was it was a lot, but I did enjoy my work too. So I think I think coming back to what we were chatting with each other a while ago, how you know we we play so many roles, and we and and I still want to. Like I I feel like I part of me is still like, you know, wants to go back to higher ed in a sense, right? So you never know. I might I might just do more like guest lectures and stuff like that, like just to be in touch with the you've been doing it for so long, too. Exactly, 15 years.

SPEAKER_01 5:30

Wow.

SPEAKER_02 5:31

So it's been it's been quite a journey. And so this just I feel like kind of happened. I think destiny, all of those things also, I I really believe in luck and destiny, and and you know, have faith in in the higher power who has everything planned for you, and you might not know it in the moment, you know. And so this is also very exciting, very, like I'm always anxious, you know, especially in the start. This is our six, sixth month, you know, essentially. And I feel like we're, I don't know, I'm still trying to like identify like what we want to be, kind of, you know, and like kind of learning more about myself and the business um as we go to. So, so this was two years ago when I essentially quit my job and we moved to Ancaster from Burlington. And then I essentially thought, you know what, I never had a break. Like even during COVID and with two little kids, I was I was like always working. Like I didn't even have proper math leaves because we were working from home. So I worked at work. At one point, I was working at three places. I was working at York University and two other colleges, um, like on contracts and stuff. Wow. It's like more than your your 40-hour week, you know, we were contracts, but then like essentially it was more than that. And so it was quite a lot. So I I when I quit my job, probably a very wrong time to do that because higher education wasn't going through the best of times, it's still not. There were a lot of layoffs and uh you know crazy things happening, programs closing down, all of those, you know, things happening in higher ed at that time. And so I don't know if it was the right time to leave, but I I just couldn't manage with without the childcare and everything, you know, like moving places, like you get out of the daycare situation. Not easy. So crazy, you know. So um, so that didn't help. So I, you know, my husband got a new job at that point as well. So it was it was a lot. So I'm like, okay, fine, I'll I'll quit. And I always almost almost always got something or the other, like like almost immediately, if not while I was still working, you know? It's like, yeah, no, that's okay. Like I'll just I'll just figure it out eventually. But yeah, the economy went crazy at that point, um, especially in higher ed, hugely affected. But then there was this part of me was which was like adamant about taking a break and you know, doing something for myself. So when I could, I actually joined pottery classes, and that was that was a nice escape for me, you know, and in a sense that I was like, okay, I'm doing something for myself, and you know, it was it was really interesting. I never thought I would get into it the way I did, like right now. No way, I did not think about that at all. But I essentially I did, you know, have that interest, but it was purely as a hobby or something on the side, you know, like so. I was like, yeah, I'm getting back, I'm getting back to hybrid, like you know, I'm gonna start applying for jobs. So it was, I think, fall of 2024, I'd say. And then fall of 2024, I was like, yeah, you know what, it's too cold. I'm not going to do anything. I'm gonna just apply for jobs now after. And then I did, and I wouldn't find anything because people were like, even those who had jobs who were like in senior positions were losing their jobs, and so I was like, okay, this is this is serious. I was not taking it seriously, but it is okay. I'm like, okay, fine, what do we do? What's next? Because I'm someone who has always worked, like ever since I was, I was not even like done with college, you know, I would like work. So I've always worked and I and I felt like kind of useless at that point.

unknown 9:40

Like, what am I doing with my life?

SPEAKER_02 9:42

But I still enjoy taking the pottery classes. I went to different studios, you know, did those things, and I was really, really uh nice to see that community and and a very different community too, right? Like it was really nice meeting new people during that time. And then I feel like my family saw that, like they they saw that I was quite into it, but I was still not taking it seriously at the level of where I would like you know have that as my primary income or whatever, right? But then, you know, because I was not finding anything, and I think that is a very crucial point where because you know, when you get into something like this, you need to be completely detached from what you were doing. Yeah, yeah. You know, you quit. And then if I would have still like done some contract roles or something, I wouldn't, I wouldn't be here today, you know? So that had to happen. Like I was not finding work, and I was I didn't have many options which uh where I was like focused on. So I started doing research. I was like, okay, my family was like pushing me to do this, like something that you're passionate about, something that you love. Why don't you think of a business which you've always wanted to do, you've done before, you know, you have the background for it, all that stuff. And so I was like, okay, let me start my research because that's what I do. I'm a researcher. So, but a completely different field. I know a lot of people might be like wondering what I did, or like what did I teach, or what? So it was business psychology. So completely okay, it's it all works, it all fits together. Training, development, HR. So not not marketing, not but more business. Yes, business, HR, organizational behavior, those were my my subjects anyway.

SPEAKER_01 11:35

Still business related, still business related, yes, not like engineering or something.

SPEAKER_02 11:40

I mean, yeah, not something completely, completely different, not engineering, but yeah, business related. And so I that was it. I was literally, I was just thinking, okay, you know what? I'm not I'm not going to push it. Like if it if it happens, it happens, kind of thing. And so I gave myself like six months. I'm like, okay, let me see. I've I've done my research, I know the concept that I have in mind, all of those things, right? Let's what what happens next? So we'll see. And then we wouldn't find a place in Ancaster. I wanted to stay in Ancaster because sure I live here and it's convenient, but but mostly because we didn't have anything here, and I've always had to travel somewhere else to, you know, to go to a studio. So I was like, okay, there is uh, you know, there's nothing here like it. I I should focus on this area. And I couldn't find anything, like for the longest time. And I was like, this is this has got to be a sign, like it has to be a sign because I'm not, I'm really not getting anything. And um that's when at one point I was almost going to give up. I was like, this might not be for me. Like, let me get back to maybe okay. I'm giving okay, six months is like four months, three months, like two months. I'm like, this is my last month and I'm trying. And that's it. And then that's it. Like I start looking for for roles or like, you know, even kind of maybe have to change industries, maybe get into consulting, like something related, but like different. Um I'm like, okay, fine, I'll start thinking about that too, you know, on the side. But then almost magically, like this place worked out, the our current uh studio that we have in in the business park. And and I'm like, okay, it's the the things started kind of falling into place, like in almost a way where I was not expecting it. You know, it's like when you're like trying to not believe in it anymore, it just starts happening.

SPEAKER_01 13:41

So, how did you find out about the place then?

SPEAKER_02 13:43

I was I was working with a commercial road for a long time.

SPEAKER_01 13:46

Okay, so you just got like that phone call.

SPEAKER_02 13:50

Yeah, no, we we we saw the place. I I loved it the first time. I could see the vision, it was an awful so when I went in, I was like, okay, the space was huge, like there's so much potential. Like I could see the vision for it, like you you would not imagine what it looked like before, I guess. Now you've visited the studio, so it's beautiful.

SPEAKER_01 14:12

It's beautiful and open. So I can imagine it would have been quite closed and different for sure.

SPEAKER_02 14:18

It's like it still has like got like these rooms, which I think is is quite good because like you could do multiple things at the same time without disturbing like other parts of it. But I always had this vision of like having an open space, which this was this was not, but we worked with it, right? Like, so I had to change a lot of my business plan, which was initially going to be a pottery and paint cafe. Like that was the initial idea that I had for it or the vision I had for it. But then, you know, it just like it's like you gotta like adapt and kind of pivot in that sense to like, okay, what what next? What do we do? You know, how do we make this work? So I'm I'm glad it worked out this way because you know, I wouldn't have it any other way now. But it was it was it was quite the journey, like that those days I I just constantly doubted myself. I constantly I couldn't I couldn't sleep. I had like I would be up, me and Chat GPT.

SPEAKER_00 15:14

I'm like, what about this and what about that?

SPEAKER_02 15:18

It's like I couldn't do anything wrong with it, so it was it was that was the kind of motivation I needed too, because I I constantly doubted myself, but it was great. My family was a huge help as well. Like I wouldn't be able to do it without them for sure. And I sometimes when I look back at a lot of the other things that I've done in life, and I've always been like, I don't think I would be able to do that today, you know? It's like it's almost like God gives you that strength in the moment, whether it's you know, having a child or right, like there's yeah, there is yeah, and it just it gets you through. Yeah, you just become strong in the moment, and when when I look back and I'm like, okay, how did I do that? You know, and this is not just this, it was it was a lot of other things that have happened in my life. So so in that sense, it was I don't know, it was probably meant to be, I guess.

SPEAKER_01 16:16

Yeah, so you and so you got the place. You originally wanted to do a clay studio together with a cafe, yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_02 16:27

So, but we still have a little bit of coffee side to it. Not a lot of people know about it, so that's something that I think I don't I don't advertise as much, which I should, because a lot of people would like bring a Starbucks with them or like um a Tim's or you know, like something. And there's not much in the area where you could just like cross the road and get get something really quick. So like we've got some snacks and like coffee and stuff in the studio if people want to, you know, you're you're there for a while, right? So you might want to grab something to to eat or drink. So it's not very minor. Uh it's it's definitely not at the level what I wanted to wanted it to be, like a barista and all of those things. So it's not it's not at that level, but um, it's still something. So I did like kind of tweak a few things, you know, have now have a full pottery studio too. Because I was like, worst case scenario, I could just use it for myself.

SPEAKER_01 17:25

It's my personal outlet that has grown physically into a space.

SPEAKER_02 17:31

It's gonna be six wheels, but and I have no time to do anything.

SPEAKER_01 17:37

But it's there, my mini cafe, my place.

SPEAKER_02 17:41

It's so crazy. We have members coming in using the space. I feel so happy that you know, uh that we have people, you know, using the space and and and creating things, and and I'm like, I can't, but I don't have time to do anything now. Um hopefully like this is just that like the first year where you're like so stressed and so doing like a hundred things as the single person, but hopefully I'll have more time. I think I think it's more about focusing and be like, okay, I really need to dedicate time to to like you know doing this, like actually um getting it because if I feel like if I don't, like I would lose touch with it, too.

SPEAKER_01 18:24

Yeah, no, it it makes perfect sense. And that was your outlet to begin with, and then it grew. And so you built this place for it to be an outlet for other people, but you still gotta keep it for yourself too.

SPEAKER_02 18:36

Yeah, exactly. So so that was that was the initial thing that I'm like, if nothing, then I'll just use it for myself, like have my own studio, which I could have had out of my garage, but but that's okay. And then obviously I wanted to create a space for my kids, like you know, something that they would they would be um proud of and and also you know want to come to, and and so the kids area, which you've seen as well, right? Yes, I have. So we'll hopefully we'll do more camps and classes and stuff like that. And and that is that is inspired by my kids for the community, like literally, like all the kids, and they love it. They actually do it actually, you know, actually works because we didn't think it would, but a lot of the people who are doing pottery painting, especially parents, they take a longer time. Kids don't have that much, uh they can get distracted very easily, right? So they would sometimes wander about and like kind of go, you know, to do the other rooms, and then there is a safe place for them to like hang out. We've got a TV there, we've got coloring, you know, all of those things. My kids are there sometimes. So they meet new new kids and and you know, they they make friends, and and so that's nice, you know. Like it also gives the parents like uh some peace of mind that their kid is not sitting with them and like bugging them to be that fast. So they're they're enjoying their moment, they know they're just here in another room, right? And they're like also distracted and and having a good time, and they'll get them some snacks from from the snack bar um or something, and uh, and everyone has a great time, and the kids are happy, parents are happy. This was not the intention, but it worked out that way. So it was it was nice to have some kind of like space for kids as well.

SPEAKER_01 20:29

So if it and so having the kids' space wasn't one of the intentions at the beginning. How did you want it to start, or how did the studio start compared to what pivots have you had to make to where it is now?

SPEAKER_02 20:42

When we got the space, my whole idea was what it is today. Like it was like I had to at that point pivot and and think of like how we want to make it work, where what these uh spaces would be, and all of those things, right? So, so yes, once we I mean we got the place, the whole vision was mine, you know, doing the place up, kind of making it what it is today, you know, making it colorful with paint and fabric and other things. So we always had like I always had a very clear idea of where I wanted everything to be, and that's exactly how it is right now. So that that that's great, but obviously, starting out when we were looking at other places, every place that we would look that we would consider would have a different uh way, and you just have to make the space work for you, right? Like whatever you're doing. So, like I said before, we didn't have we weren't getting like very big spaces, which was fine, which was totally okay. And so, what made sense at that point was a pottery and paint cafe because that was the kind of space that could allow it, and you know, all of that. So it's just it's just you know, you gotta work with what you have and make the best of it. So I think I I think we Did that. And so it is exactly like you said, the kid space was exactly the way it is that I had imagined, and what the purpose was of it and what it served. So yeah.

SPEAKER_01 22:11

Okay, good. Oh, that's awesome. That's great. And then you have members too that come in. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 22:17

So we have we have um studio membership. So if you know and if you know how to like, you know, some people might be more hand builders, some people might be more um, you know, wanting to work on the wheel, right? And so we we do have like members, and some of our members actually they started out as absolute beginners. So they did they did a few classes with or at the studio, and now they're at at a level where they could work on it themselves and and better their art themselves, and which is which is really impressive, who have had amazing progress from from where they started in Feb to now. And they they've been really, I'd say the the members are our family, like our second family essentially, uh, which is what I really wanted. I wanted this community space, I wanted this space where people would come and forget about their problems or what they were doing, and whether it's pottery painting that they want to do, which is which is an easier activity. You don't need to have like any expertise for it, or you want to, you know, just get into pottery the way because it's so I feel like it's healing when you're actually working with clay and you know, seeing and it teaches you so much, too. Like you don't think, but it I am the most impatient person that I know. I feel like pottery has taught me to be so patient, and so um that has it has been life lessons really because it's a very slow process, like it's not something that you would just like do it and get instant uh gratification and instant returns, you know. That's something that you you work on, you put your blood sweat and tears, not not literally, but but it's you know, and then you create that thing, but you don't know if it would survive, like it would it would survive the kiln, you know, you don't know if it would survive the glazing. So it's a very slow process, and and I feel like that um that also is rewarding for people because they're like, okay, yeah, I made this, right? I created this, and it took so much time. It's like having a child, similarly, you know, very close to having a child because that's the child that you have given birth to, you know, nurtured and and seen it grow. So it's it's something like that, but in uh in a different sense. I mean, I think all of pretty much most of our members, you know, they're some of them are mothers, some of them not, but you can see the different styles that people work with and and how they they see like their progress and how they like I one of our members is like a perfectionist, like she wants everything to be absolutely perfect. Where we keep telling her, like, you know what, it's handmade, it's not supposed to be perfect. It's not supposed to be perfect, right? Whereas others they want to try some other techniques and you know play to their uh other strengths. And so it's it's really amazing how like the world of art was very new to me and I am still learning. But this is a this is a very interesting craft and very addictive, and I always like my husband always jokes that this was a very expensive hobby, yeah. So for me, but I think I can see myself um and my my family grow with it and you know see my kids enjoying it as well as they grow, and they hopefully they they like it enough to to maybe one day do something with it, I guess. But yeah, we'll see. I'm not uh I feel like if when when you're thinking so like I don't want to think too far ahead because I don't know, but I am I am in this moment and I'm learning every day and it's great.

SPEAKER_01 26:23

I mean, I think especially those first six months are they're nerve-wracking. It's lots of learning curves, lots of pivots, but it sounds like it's been just as rewarding watching members come together in your studio, start first time and now well, first time walk in and then become members. And you know what?

SPEAKER_02 26:46

The the people who who come and their stories, I think that is huge. Like it kind of takes away from all the stress as well. Because I love meeting new people, talking to them, you know, knowing their stories, like learning more about them. It's so interesting. And I feel like I've been blessed because, in that sense, a lot of people are very um supportive, especially in in our community where you know they want to support women businesses, local businesses, and stuff like that, which is which is amazing. And we are um a we're not a franchise, we're we're local uh women-owned business, and I feel like many people might not know that, right? They might not know me or you like as individuals, but but when someone walks in and we talk to them and and create that kind of vibe where you become family, there's so many people who have who have told us that this is our like our second home now.

SPEAKER_01 27:44

Oh, I love that, Safia.

SPEAKER_02 27:46

Wow, members and even people who are our pottery painting guests, so which is amazing because they they don't stay as long or they don't come as often. But but I I love that you know when when people come, they're not thinking about their troubles, they're trying to just have a good time, which is amazing. And and that is that is like because it's an experience-based business, right? It's it's service, sure, but like there are two things to it. So there is a physical aspect to it, and I always tell people like when you go out to a restaurant, it's entirely an experience. Then you know, you you eat your food and you're done, like you don't take anything from it. But when you come to do a piece, like a pot, whether you're doing pottery painting or pottery, that's a memory, but then you always have that piece with you physically as well to remember that time and and to take that as a gift. So so I feel like this is the ideal experience that you can gift to people, you know, do something with your family. I know your family had visited, uh, and you didn't know much about I don't know. I think you just kind of visited with your family.

SPEAKER_01 28:57

We did. We we had gone to one in the summer, and the kids really liked it, especially my daughter, because she's huge into being creative. So I think I first saw your studio. I think I saw it come across in the Facebook group, the Ancaster Months group, and uh around Christmas time, maybe. And I thought, okay, like this is an idea, but I think we were we were busy at the time, and it was a random Saturday that I was like, you know what? Come on, guys, let's go check out this place and see what it's all about. And you know what? They they had a lot of fun. Like you said, it's an experience, it's a safe space for the kids. My daughter finished early, my my son was still going, and um, we him and I were able to just keep on painting and finish it. And kind of what you said, like I remember I had picked out the peach tray. I had this vision of how I wanted it, and I was asking you questions. You're like, you know what, just try it and see how it goes. And if and if anything, you know, for next time. And uh it's funny because I think we're hard on ourselves to where we want to be a perfectionist. But you said that, and I think it just kind of diffused me. Like it was like, okay, I can paint it the wrong brown for this time and life looking along, like at a it's just a train. It will be okay. Like we can, you know, it's okay, it's no, but it it's you know, like it's good, and it turned out really good.

SPEAKER_00 30:25

And I was very impressed with it. I was like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_01 30:29

It turned out, it turned out great, but it's just and I think it's that reminder because our world is just so fast-paced, and then social media. We're still hard on ourselves all the time, yeah. And it's just being hard on ourselves, and I don't think scrolling Instagram helps either. But then you have created this place where we can kind of pause. Yes, exactly.

SPEAKER_02 30:54

And I and that was my vision for it. It still is it when it continues to grow. Hopefully, I have the same vision of it being a community hub, you know, some a place where people feel safe, people feel welcome, and they come and they just um, you know, and and not just for like pottery. I I think we're we're open to like other artists coming and kind of showcasing their work, you know, have have yeah, have a kind of family where where we're learning new things as well. And I think this is very see, I know a lot of people are in that moment where they don't want to spend, right? I mean, the economy, everything that's going around them, you know, it might not feel good to also be happy, or you know, like some people might think, okay, what is necessary? Like what are we doing? And then, you know, this would be like a treat in a sense, like if you're having a special day or you know, you want to get away with it. I feel like it's an escape too. So just like how in in an economy like this, where a lot of people go towards therapy, and like, you know, there's a lot of sometimes depressive thoughts and stuff like that. This also helps with that. And and we're we're actually thinking of working with more therapists and looking to art therapy too, because it's so healing, like I said, play. And you'll see a lot of potters say that they are obviously self-taught, but at the same time, this journey was not something that they expected to take on, but it was it saved their life. Like I've I've literally seen people not here in the in the states that I follow, and they're they're doing amazing, they have like huge studios and everything now. But but when they started, they were going through a very bad phase in life, and this was their escape. And so that I mean, for me, it wasn't that bad, thank God. You know, like it was it was more like I I just wanted a new hobby, I just wanted to do something, you know. But it is, it is for a lot of people, and I feel like that is exactly the kind of place that you want to you want to put your money into because it's it's it's you know, you're growing as well, and you're kind of investing in your growth in a sense. So, so where I feel like a lot of people would would think that this is not the right, you know, activity, or not, not the right activity is like, do I need to spend my money, you know, doing this just or should I be like worried about what is on the table today, you know, what what what food's on the table today, you know, which which which is a valid uh worry. But I feel like people need to, and that's why even like stuff that we have for our seniors, like in terms of pricing, we've we've made it such that it is affordable for people to come and and enjoy that uh activity, but also not feel so burdened, you know. So that that has always been my aim. I feel like yes, sometimes that's difficult for for us too, in terms of like being a business owner, being busy.

SPEAKER_01 34:06

Yeah, it's it's still a business at the end of the day, right?

SPEAKER_02 34:09

Like costs and everything. So it's it's like I'm torn, you know, where I want to help the community, I want to want to do something. But then at the same time, like if I'm not able to do it, then we're going down, you know, like then I'm not doing anything good for anyone at the end of the day, which is which is also like something that would then affect the business, your personal lives, and all of those things, right? So it's it's uh it's a tough conversation.

SPEAKER_01 34:41

No, that's that's so I mean say the pricing that you opened with compared to the pricing that you have now, have you had to adjust it or you've been able to kind of keep it the same? Like, how do you figure out how to price how to put a price on the experience?

SPEAKER_02 34:56

Yeah, so for the experience, I think, I think a lot of the times I'm looking at what's on offer, what are we offering, kind of, you know, like similar, similar experiences. I think we're very competitively priced in that sense, for experiences and such. And for pottery painting too, I feel like we're we're very much, yeah, we I I had initially priced a little under, but I feel like for the amount of work that goes into it, and and then eventually obviously having to do everything myself or getting staff to do it, it's just it doesn't make sense to be like so, you know, low, like having a low price point. But it actually it's a very like if and if I did, I I kind of adjusted maybe some of the items that were that were higher to to you know do I kind of balanced it out to see what what what would work and stuff like that. But but essentially I haven't changed much in terms of pricing from when it when we started. For events, we have recently added a service charge of uh a bit because it's just that the amount of work that goes into it, like even the like after you're done with your piece, the back end work is still a lot.

SPEAKER_01 36:19

So I could imagine so.

SPEAKER_02 36:21

Which a lot of people don't don't think about. They're like, oh, this is a piece, we did it, we painted it, and of course, like yeah, the cleaning and all those things is fine, but but then you know, we do the glazing and then we do the kiln and like you know, the firing and the after. So it's it's quite a lot of work at the back end, which not a lot of people know. So uh for groups, we've just started this extra service charge that um it's a 15% service charge, but then like it's not really much when you look at it, unless you're having like a really big group or a corporate event or something like that. But otherwise it's it's really announced, probably like for a normal party, it could be like 20%.

SPEAKER_01 37:02

But I mean, yeah, but I mean, even if you I mean, I'm just tell me if I'm wrong, but you have this big group come in, so then you have to put yourself as close, so you're not gonna have any walk-ins that day, or people can't come and pick up their item, which is okay, because you have this group coming in and that's great. But then I would imagine like the kiln only fills up, you can only put so many pieces in the kiln at a time, so then you might also get it kind of backlogged. If you're busy, I I mean, I don't know, you gotta tell me because I don't know pottery, but but I can only imagine, yeah, there is quite a bit, and then messaging every single person individually your pieces ready to pick up. Yeah, yeah. I think sometimes people like their handheld like they might message back a few more times, kind of thing, and then you'll have some people just show up and then we try to be as you know clear in our emails and stuff as possible.

SPEAKER_02 37:56

Like because sometimes on weekdays, if sometimes we we could have like a corporate event, and that's why we always now tell people to book online so that we know you're you know, so if we have a corporate event, we're not booking you as well at the same time, but at the then, or else we could like we could be off that day, like Tuesdays were off. So we don't want you coming in on Tuesday and like wasting your time if we're coming in for a pickup. But at the same time, like sometimes we would even close early because there's nothing going on in the evening, you know, there's no bookings. Our members can come and stay.

unknown 38:32

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 38:35

And the door might be closed, but we might still be inside. So, so all of these kind of things, right? Because it's it's it's dual. It's like it's a studio as well as a customer-facing business where you're you know, pottery paint. So we always we always try to accommodate everyone. I'm like, okay, if you can't come within our work hours and you're coming in late, we'll keep your piece out in front, like you can pick it up from our delivery card, like from our pickup and delivery card. And it's totally safe to do that. We'll keep it out, but you have to let us know. Like that's the thing. Yes, just let us know you're coming, let us know. We will work with you, we will make your life very easy, but communicate. So a lot of people sometimes don't like communicating, they just want to like take a chance, which is fine. They could.

SPEAKER_01 39:25

We'll see what's going on, we'll see what's happening today. We'll swing by. So, when you started your business, was it walk-in all the time? Like, did you start it off, or you always kind of had it as book in advance?

SPEAKER_02 39:36

We always had bookings, we would take walk-ins if it's just a matter of chance, right? Like you could, you could come. You can you can even come now. Like, if you wanted to like do a walk-in, you could, but we highly recommend a booking because it's very it's very possible that either we're closed or you know, we're we're in another event or something like that. So sometimes we're at offsite events too, right? Like like carnivals or school fairs and stuff like that.

SPEAKER_01 40:04

Like, well, exactly. You're getting your business out there, be there.

SPEAKER_02 40:09

So every day is different, which I love. I knowing me, I love having I don't like routine. My husband's different, but I I don't like a routine thing. I need happening every day. So that's that this is perfect for me.

SPEAKER_01 40:25

Oh, I love that. I love that. What advice would you have for someone if they were opening up a store within the next month? What advice would you give to them? Yeah.

unknown 40:34

Good luck.

SPEAKER_02 40:35

Uh it's a lot, especially in this economy. I keep thinking, I'm like, did I make the right move? Like, did I do the right thing? Because it's so stressful sometimes. You don't know, you know, sometimes no one's coming. Sometimes you have something which you're like, you know, thankful for. So the advice that I would have, and I would have at any point, whether in this economy or not, would be assessing the market, like assessing and doing your research and making sure that this is something that people need and will people will come and all of those things, right? Like, so like, do we want another cafe? You know what I mean? Like, yeah, do your research, really do your research. Like, what is it that's different? Like, in we have um a Japanese cheesecake place here in in Lancaster, which is different, right? So, like there is demand for it, and then yeah, you have something different, great. But if you have the same stuff, like I I feel like like salon businesses are so tough right now because there's just so many, and then there's so much competition, and you don't want to also it's it's hard. So I feel like yeah, that's that's it's very important. And you know what the sad part is is that from the time that you are thinking about it and you put an offer or you you get a place that you start and there was no one, and and within a few months they could be, but otherwise, yeah, yeah, you just you don't know, you just don't know. So it's very volatile. That would be the word that I'd use for it. But yeah, it's it's very yeah, it's very volatile, and I feel like a lot of the times it's hard. It's like I don't know. I feel so many times where you wish you had a mentor, kind of you wish you had someone who would guide you, like you tell. So I I want to do that, and and in a sense, I actually like that was one thing that I wanted to like even even mention is that you know, keeping my higher ed uh roots and you know, the coaching and coming from that kind of background, I would love to actually go back into teaching, even as a guest lecturer or whatever, right? An entrepreneurship course which would help others or you know, kind of guide people, if not guide, at least share my experience, kind of, you know, if because I might not be the expert in what you are planning to do, right? Like I don't wanna I don't want to sound blocky and be like, oh, you know, this will this will work, this won't work, but it could work, it could work, and you can speak from experience, yeah, and same with the research what I went through or what I have, but your experience might be completely different, right? And it also depends a lot on the person themselves. Like everyone has such an individual personality, and I feel like you come with that, right? So so if people know you and they're like, yes, Cassidy's doing this, right? They want to support you and they know you and they know the work that you do in the community, all of those things. And I and I for me, I want to be known as that person. Like, I'm like even when I was off work and doing pottery on the side and all of that, I always did volunteering. Like I always volunteered at my doctor's. Of school, girl guides, like wherever I could get the chance a chance to like go and like you know do something for the community, I would. So it really it honestly really depends on what what your idea is, you know, how you execute it and and who you are as a person as well. Um lot of resilience. You need a lot of results resilience, and like you need a lot of support as well, the social support part of it. Um financial, yes, definitely, but but the mental exhaustion, apart from the physical, is something so you can't you can't describe it until you go, like you know, until that happens. But but yeah, it's uh it's such a scary economy. It's I don't know, it's it's a hard, it's a tough one. I don't know what I would actually want. So this is why I love what you're doing, because I I would love to know what others are thinking about it. Yeah, yeah. So it's um it's pretty cool to see that. But I for me, I just want to come, you know, continue helping the community, continue helping people realize, you know, or do something different, like, you know, have that break, you know, think of like it as uh even if it's a special treat or whatever. There was one family that just while we were talking about this came to mind where they just called and they were like, Hey, I know we've not made a booking, but can could we come in to paint right now? And I'm like, um, yeah, we have space, run it, no problem. Okay. And uh, and then she's like, I'm so sorry, I would I would have booked. I'm like, that's okay, like you know, I mean, you call me. We we can book over the book you over the phone as well, and you're checking before coming, which is amazing. Um, you're doing all the right things, so don't worry about it. And then she's like, Well, we've we've just had a funeral and we want to kind of distract the kids, and I'm like, Okay, so now I'm like on high alert. I'm like, okay, I need to like amazing things, right? Like um, but it was a good thing that she gave me the heads up because when I saw the kids, I knew not to be like overly like happy and you know, but at the same time, I could tell that they were crying and all of that. And I just wanted to just like help them distract, and it was they were really happy, you know, after they started their painting because they chose what they wanted to paint, and it was a distraction, what they intended the adults intended it to be, it really was for them, and that for me was the biggest gift. Then anything else, like to see them actually not think about even for a second, right? And later I did ask, and like also what happened after, you know, they some of them had like it was her sister, I think, and uh their dad had oh that's awful. Not the girl's dad, but the sister's husband, so the kids had two or three kids, and it was so difficult, and it was it was a suicide. I mean, I know this is anonymous and no one knows about it, but like and I can probably share those details because uh it it was anonymous, but there it is anonymous, but yeah, and it's so hard to see like kids that are your kids' age, some of them not even understanding what has happened, and um to go through that trauma. Like I can't even imagine. I was just like almost in tears at that point because I was like, I don't know what to do, you know. At the same time, I've been like professional. But these stories like hit you, and and you have those happy stories as well, definitely. But but I feel like my work becomes just so much more meaningful because I could help a family just be distracted for a bit, if not, like they could go back and think about it again, but they are they're excited about something, right? They they they've painted something, they want to see it as well, you know. So at one point where like they were finishing a piece and they couldn't because you know the kids were like ready to go. So what they did was they came back to finish their piece. Oh, I love that. Just the the other sister and her kid came back and I was like checking on them too, like kind of to see how everything was since then, and are they how are they coping and all of those things? So you you really like that's what I mean. Like it's not just our members becoming family, but like even people that you meet on the daily, like who are coming as pottery painting guests, they become so close in in a sense, you know, not everyone obviously, but but those those who have become like loyal customers too. That's it's been amazing.

SPEAKER_01 48:59

Yeah, and you know what that you created a core memory for that family and for those kids. And like you were saying earlier, it's healing. Whether you're painting or you're you're making things with your hands, it's it's healing, and I think that's amazing that you're looking into the workshops together with a psychologist or a therapist, and you're providing the platform and space for it.

SPEAKER_02 49:23

I I hope we can keep that up, and I hope that happens because that's something that we're thinking about um and talking about. But we also did another workshop where that was clean calm, where we did like a guided meditation. It was a small group. We wanted to keep it intimate, and you can you can do that even as a private group setting, like you could do it as um a booking that you would like, you know, you want to do it with your friends or something like that. You could do those kind of things as well where you want to just kind of de stress, and we did we did create our own essential oils and uh you know, and then a clay piece. So it was nice, like everyone really like felt like they could disconnect, and sometimes we need that, like we're on our phones constantly, kids are on their iPads constantly, like you know, in front of television. You want something to unplug and kind of just do something off-screen, right? So for for that, it was it was great too. For me, not so much because I was like constantly taking photos by social media, we need to get these pictures and let me make sure everything's going perfectly and everyone's okay.

SPEAKER_00 50:37

It's funny because when people were like meditating and I'm taking their pictures, and I'm like, oh my god, I'm so crazy. No, I was just very excited while your eyes are closed.

SPEAKER_02 50:51

Yeah, and then I'm just excited to just go back to do it as well. So I couldn't do much.

SPEAKER_01 50:58

Um, I love that. Well, Safia, before we wrap it up, I mean you have given us a lot of information, I think, but if there's one thing that you want every listener to walk away with today, what would that be?

SPEAKER_02 51:10

Be yourself and and and learn to accept that things might not go the way that you want it to go. Pivot if you're given the opportunity, and you know, adapt because that's like that's the kind of environment we're in right now. And it's okay. The other thing that people like put so much pressure like on themselves is like it's okay, it's okay, like it's going to be okay, and to say that to accept that sometimes I I know I'm I'm saying that, but sometimes I might not be in a in a position where I'll be like, no, it's not okay. And like I said, I'm not very patient. Now I am much better, but I'm not a very patient person, but but it is it it's okay, whatever it is, it will it will pass, it will come, you know, and and trust in in God's plan. Like if it is meant to be, if it is yours, if it is in your destiny, it will happen. And there's no point forcing anything, really, because haste makes waste. So I I believe in that. Like there were times where I was like, no, no, we have to, we have to put our offer in here, we have to get this place, and it's the same thing with like even with when you're getting a houser, right? Like you're like anything, anything, everything, right? Yeah, and if it doesn't work out, I know I was at peace with it, and I know that was the right thing in that moment because it was, and you might not know that immediately too, but you will know this, you will you will know it like eventually, and and then you will be like, Yes, thank God that didn't happen. So it's okay if you have if you don't have wins, like that's okay too. But just the acceptance and like being at peace with with you know whatever like uh happens in your life, it's just it's just that. And I and I feel like this is so much, there is so much uncertainty. Like it's not about just this, you know, it's like a lot of other things that really keep me up at night. It's not just the business. I'm hearing so many cases of kids getting tumors and cancers and and things like that. It really disturbs me because I'm just like, you know, at any point, you just have to keep thanking God for for everything, honestly. Because at any point, anything else can happen too. It's not just the business, because you're you as a person, you're you're not a corporation, like right, especially with us. We're humans, and there's a lot of stuff that can happen in your personal life which can derail your plans, even if you're going completely in the right direction. It could it could toss everything out the window because there will be priorities that are more important, like if something happens to my child, or if something happens to my parents, or like you know, something happens in that you have to be able to just uh let go and just be there in that moment, like with them, or what your priorities are, and that's a totally human thing to do, and it's okay, so yeah, it's it's uh when I hear that, like with people that are so close, like you know, my neighbors and stuff like that. That some something happened with upsetting with friends, like family friends and stuff like that, and it's just it's just scary, like it scares me so much, honestly.

SPEAKER_01 54:46

So, yeah, no, it's upsetting, but like you said, it's everything will be okay if you have to take a pause on what you're doing, yes, because something else comes up, it'll just but I hope maybe someone wanted to hear that today. I don't know, like no, no, a hundred percent. No, thank you, Safia. Thank you for that. Tell us what you have going on at the studio. We always have so much going on at the studio.

SPEAKER_02 55:11

I was I was a little disconnected for a bit, but here we are back again. Here we go. There we go. Always stuff happening at the studio. We have events that are coming up. We have camp, we have summer camp. So check it out if you if you know we still have spots, have a have a look. We have some really cool themed camps. And I love the kids stuff, although I don't teach those courses myself because, like I said, I was more a college instructor, so my I can deal with like like mature adults more.

SPEAKER_00 55:50

So you're used to big kids sitting the whole time, not used to little kids running around to the extent where that we have the choice, but they have a blast.

SPEAKER_02 56:04

But they also like my kids always be like, You're so strict. I'm like, yeah, that's how we grew up, man. Like, does it feel so important? You guys need structure. Yeah, 100%. So what was I saying? Yeah, camp. Yeah, but we've got some really cool stuff because like this Harry Potter themed camps, there is there is K-bop demon hunters, that's very popular in July, and then we have in August as well. So we have uh we have some really cool stuff. So it's not just when when they're doing camp, it's not just like pottery painting. They will also do like clay stuff, they will make clay objects and things depending on the themes. That we will also do other crafts like tie-dye, like there's like lots of other stuff.

SPEAKER_01 56:50

Lots of stuff going on. Slime, you know, and then you have you have workshops for adults as well, is that correct?

SPEAKER_02 56:56

Yes, yeah, we do from time to time. So every day, every month we'll have something like we had the you know singles mixer event, and then we have so there's like something or the other happening every time. And and even if you didn't, for example, if you had a small group, like we have people booking for pottery painting all the time, which is you could be like having a hockey mom's group or like a oh fun, any other like cheer group or whatever for for parents and for for the kids, um, so they come and you know do pottery painting because that's that's more easy to do, just easy to plan and everything. But if you had a smaller group and you wanted to do, say, something like clay and calm with like a group of eight people, we could arrange that. If you wanted to do a private class, a wheel throwing class, we could arrange that. So we have our own events from time to time, like we'll do a Mother's Day thing or we'll do a Father's Day thing, you know?

SPEAKER_01 57:55

And how do people find out about those events? Are they all listed on your Instagram or your website? Or Instagram is mainly it.

SPEAKER_02 58:02

Um active on Instagram than Facebook. So Instagram 100%, you'll definitely see stuff on Instagram first, um, and the website. So if it is sometimes actually, you might see more on Instagram if than if in the website. But okay, well, yeah. Like the stuff that's like like you know how you have a secret menu. Yeah, you're like come to Instagram to get it. What's your Instagram handle? Um, but not not entirely, but like some some of the stuff we don't like advertise as much, which we should, and we will start doing it. Like the senior social that we we initially started with, it was really nice, like a lot of lot of interest there. And then after that day, like we actually had two or three people who would who became our senior members in a sense, and they would come to you know just hand build and you know just have a good time. So stuff like that. We're researching that as well. We'll definitely see more of that. No, that's great, Safa. Going like a weekly basis, so it could be like a drop-in kind of thing, too. Yeah. Um, then we have stuff that we do for homeschooling. Again, that's not on our website per se. So again, if you're in a homeschooling group and you wanted to do something, uh, we we do that like every Thursday, 12 to 2 drop-in or 4 to 6. So yeah, so it's like you quite like we'll we'll put things out there from time to time, but and they're sometimes in like Facebook groups and stuff because it's targeted, but you might you might not see it right away on on the website. But if you if you ever like you know want to ask about anything or have an idea that you want to share, or you want to work with us, or you you're an artist, you want to do a workshop, we can totally do those kind of things too.

SPEAKER_01 59:54

So amazing. Safia, what what is creative play's Instagram handle?

SPEAKER_02 59:59

It's actually just at creativeclay.ca, which is our website.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:03

Amazing. Oh, and that's the website as well. Okay, perfect. Well, I'll put the I'll put the links in the description.

SPEAKER_02 1:00:08

Awesome.

SPEAKER_01 1:00:09

So thank you, Safia. And one last question is how do you want to be recognized in our community?

SPEAKER_02 1:00:16

That's a tough one because it's just put so much pressure on you to say the right thing. But it's not, it's not, it's not about that. It's it's our entire conversation that we had today. Like, and you know me now. Like you started off just we don't I feel like I can answer it for you, but I'll let you now know each other as friends. So that's right. I want to keep doing the work that I set to do, which I didn't in like have that intention, it just kind of happened to, because like I said, it's such a healing journey that uh that you know, like I'm I'm actually quite proud that I got into it, like myself too, and then hopefully people get into it. But I want this to be eventually known as a collective, if that makes sense, like an artist collective or some a place where people would come together to to do things, so that is something that I want to be known as, and also the work that you do in the community too is so inspiring that I would want to like I for me, I learned from that, really. Oh that's very inspiring. Like you're too kind, you're too you do honestly.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:31

I'm not I'm not even joking in it. It's just right. It's funny because I I think we sit here and we think, okay, I have to be doing more. Like there has to be more, like there has to be a way I have food on my table. There has to be a way that I can give back to others. Like they're, you know, like if my minimum requirements are met, then how else can I contribute? And how else can I help? But you know what, Stephanie? You're you're doing that by offering this safe space for seniors, for kids, everyone in between. And like you said, like it's you know, come on a rainy day, and it doesn't have to actually be rainy, just you're having a rainy day in your head. Like come out and just release those feelings and chill.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:18

We we have a cool playlist all the time. Yeah, people, people, especially millennials, because I'm millennials.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:25

That's it, right? Well, and you have a beautiful space. Thank you. It feels open, it feels inviting, it's warm, all the good things.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:34

Exactly. So I really yeah, hope people come experience, yeah. You know, they don't need to keep coming again and again, but at least once.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:43

Yeah, come once, check it out. And you're located in the business park in Ancaster.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:48

Yes, so that's uh very close to. I mean, if you're a parent, you probably know where it is. Because there's so much happening in the business park, right for kids. Um, there's like a gymnastics place, uh, right in the same area that we're in. There is uh martial arts, there's a couple of them. There are dance studios, there's cheer. If you've if you if you come there on Sandhill, we're on the other side of Sand Hill next to Marquee Gardens. But even if you haven't come to any of these places, you've been to Funbilla or Funzilla.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:22

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:25

As a parent, as an uncle, as an aunt, like you have come.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:30

I'm there for work every day. You're there like for some party or something or the other. So so yeah, you've you've probably been if you're in Ancaster or in Hamilton for that matter, it's because it's so popular, like fun movie. Oh, yeah. You probably have been in this area.

SPEAKER_01 1:03:47

So just exactly. Well, thank you, Safia, for coming on. Thank you so much for this. Honestly, it was so nice. Oh, it was great. It was great chatting with you. Take care. Thank you, you too. That's the lowdown for this week. If something in this conversation landed for you, send it to one person who needs to hear it. That's how we build this one story at a time. I'm Kasti Lohan, and we'll see you in the next episode.