Tell us a bit about your journey so far. How did you get to this point in your career? Can you pinpoint any challenges you’ve faced along the way, and how you overcame them? Was there anyone who inspired you along the way?
Before I even set up my business, I had to face the huge challenge of setting up and running a business as a disabled woman. I knew it wouldn’t be easy but I was determined to turn my passion into a career. After a long tough journey overcoming several brain and heart surgeries as a teenager, I strived incredibly hard to achieve my dream of going to university. Long story short, through a lot of hard work and sheer stubborn determination, I completed my degree with a 2:1 with honours– I did design crafts, specialising in ceramics.
Before receiving my final grade, I completed a business course. And from there, Katherine Fortnum Ceramics was brought to life. After working hard and building up my business, a few years later in 2017, I was a finalist for the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs, which was an incredible achievement that I am so proud of. My family inspired me to grab life with both hands, and they have been by my side cheering me on and supporting me not just in my business, but in life. I am so thankful for their love and support through my journey.
Can you give us a sense of a typical day in your role?
Everyday is completely different; no two days are the same as a ceramic artist! I can have a full week of workshops but each is always different. Sometimes it’s couples sessions, other times one to ones, occasionally hen do’s. They vary from two to six hours, and what they choose to create is always different! I love that I am constantly kept on my toes by attendees asking me to teach them to create completely unique items.
As a sole trader, I do every part of my business – teaching, ceramic artist, accounts, social media, emailing/phone calls, advertising, taking bookings, photography, photo editing, running my online shop, packaging and sending orders, designing workshops, cleaning the studio, ordering materials, firing the kiln, studio care and maintenance …the list is endless, and the boring business stuff takes up most of the working week (something that you don’t bargain for as a creative). With that being said, I wouldn’t swap it for the world. I absolutely love my job!
Tell us about your company/business; if you could focus on the experiences you have with us and why they’re so great, even better!
I've been running my business for ten years now and I love it. I run my ceramics workshops from my home studio in Market Harborough, where I provide bespoke personalised tuition. I take huge pride in the workshops that I teach. I like to discuss with my customers and make sure to design a session around them and what they want to achieve. It is the most wonderful feeling seeing the smiles on their faces and knowing that I have helped them create something that they are proud of.
I get to meet so many lovely people - the studio is always filled with joy and laughter, people having fun, as well as learning and creating your own unique pieces is everything.
Having my workshops with Virgin Experience Days has been great as it’s expanded my reach of customers, allowing me to pass my knowledge and expertise onto happy clay goers from all over the country. People now visit my studio from all over the world, which is amazing. I still can’t believe it!
If you could have afternoon tea with another inspirational woman (alive or dead), who would it be?
Every woman is inspirational. Each of us have fought unseen challenges, have strived hard and achieved feats we thought were impossible. We won fights day after day, put one foot in front of the other and kept on going when times were tough. Every one of us is inspirational, and we should never forget that.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders in business? Is there anything you wish you’d known early on in your career?
Hard work and determination is so important. You have to give it your all, but you need the want above all else, and you have to be prepared to put the work in. Setting up my own business is the best thing I ever chose to do. It is not for everyone as it’s a lot of responsibility but you have to figure out what works best for you. Work-life balance is so important, and being self-employed allows me to live the life I want. If you want something, go for it! Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do it, anything is possible. If you have a desire for your passion, there is absolutely no reason why you shouldn’t reach for your dreams!
