#268 Building Community with Clay w/ Rich Brown

Who says you can't make a living doing what you love? Today, we're sitting down with Rich Brown, a full-time potter who has managed to turn his passion for clay into a thriving business. However, for Rich, pottery is far more than just a source of income - it's a way of building and nurturing relationships within his community, fostering connections that are as enduring as the pottery pieces themselves.  Prepare yourself for an intimate look at Rich's unique journey, starting from his decision to commit to pottery full-time. Through his unwavering determination and the support of his friends and pottery companies, he has been able to navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic and embark on a dream tour to meet potters across the United States. You'll be inspired to hear how this journey, despite its initial postponement, has deepened his belief in the importance of community and personal intentionality in his work. However, this episode isn't just about pottery and passion; it's also about practical approaches to building a successful pottery business. Rich shares incredibly insightful tips on how to effectively sell pottery and the role of small conversations and relationships in business growth. You'll also hear stories from his experiences with students, his artist residency, and his enlightening chat with Bill Strickland, a community-focused potter. So, sit back, relax, and let Rich's story inspire you to build a life around your passion, value your relationships, and be present for your loved ones. You can learn more about Rich by checking out his instagram here @pottery32 [https://www.instagram.com/pottery32/] Top 3 Value Bombs: 1. Rich Brown emphasizes the importance of building relationships for the growth of a business. He shares that small conversations can lead to bigger conversations and how these interactions can be leveraged to help sell pottery. He urges aspiring potters to reach out and connect with people, not just within the pottery community but beyond it. 2. Rich provides insight into how he successfully turned his passion for pottery into a full-time career. He highlights the role of determination, community support, and intentional focus in his journey. He also shares how his work has allowed him to spend more time with his family and how his energy and intention are imbued in each pottery piece he creates. 3. Rich shares practical tips on how to effectively sell pottery. He discusses the importance of finding a market, ensuring the price point is reasonable for the time spent creating each piece, and understanding the feasibility of your work as your only source of revenue. He also emphasizes the importance of being genuine and authentic in conversations, rather than focusing solely on sales. and so much more Resources Take this Free Quiz to see how close you are to finding your pottery voice click here to take the quiz shapingyourpottery.com/quiz  [https://l80hrbmg3p5.typeform.com/to/tpiCqpnW]