Ryan and Becca return for the fourth chapter of the podcast book club, diving into Profit First by Mike Michalowicz. Joined once again by Taylor Swilley, they explore key takeaways and connect the book’s themes to their own businesses. They also discussed various aspects of business management, including client relationships, debt management, and employee management, and considered implementing the profit-first accounting method. 

Our next book club selection is Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland with plans to release the episode in May. See all the books we've covered on Becca's Amazon list at https://amzn.to/3X5yZOX

A special thanks to Taylor for joining us again and for recording all the ads in today’s episode!

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new Speedball Boss Base tool to open your wheel thrown work consistently and with ease, now available in pink and purple to match their plastic bats. Browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.com

Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.com.

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca are joined by Layla Lynn, also known as the Mug Maiden, a passionate ceramic mug collector with an impressive collection of over 700 pieces. Layla shares her love for handmade ceramics and dives into her experiences within the ceramics community, from building relationships with artists to buying and unboxing handmade work. They also discuss packaging practices, the potential for exhibiting collections, and a unique fundraising initiative Layla is currently pursuing. Plus, she highlights her "Makers of the Moment," showcasing some of her favorite artists.

-----Find more about Layla's business below-----
Instagram - @themugmaiden
Mystery Mug Giveaway - https://msha.ke/themugmaiden

Maker of the Moment

• Ryoko Rio - @ryokoceramics
• Leo - @northernghost.studios
• Marret Metzger - @marretmetzger

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Speedball Ceramics - Try the new Speedball Boss Base tool to open your wheel thrown work consistently and with ease, now available in pink and purple to match their plastic bats. Browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.com

Smith Sharpe Refractory - Find out which Advancer Kiln Shelves are right for you at kilnshelf.com.

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca chat with Deanna Poelsma from Glazed & Confused Creations about the art and business of ceramic jewelry. They discuss clay types, firing processes, tools, and materials for crafting and displaying ceramic jewelry. Deanna shares insights on booth setup, marketing strategies, and equipment for powering lights at craft fairs. They also explore the challenges and rewards of selling handmade jewelry and tips for standing out in a competitive market.

-----Find more about Deanna's business below-----
Instagram - @glazedconfusedcreations
Website - https://www.glazedconfusedcreations.com/
Virtual Jewelry Making Workshop - https://www.siporceramics.com/virtual-classes/p/ceramic-jewelry
Wheel Talk #208 - Optimizing your show applications with Deanna Poelsma from Glazed & Confused Creations

Maker of the Moment

• Kara Lovell - @karalovellceramics
• Charity Rust-Jordan - @crj.artwork
• Lori Elling - @lori.elling.ceramics

Resources
Kiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1pm EST
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming bookkeeping workshops

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com
Speedball Ceramics - Try the new Speedball Boss Base tool to open your wheel thrown work consistently and with ease, now available in pink and purple to match their plastic bats. Browse their wide selection of products at speedballart.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan & Becca are joined by Kara Leigh Ford, a potter based in the United Kingdom, to discuss her journey from a full-time career in marketing to building a thriving pottery business. Kara shares her insights on pricing handmade ceramics, selling at markets, and navigating online sales. They also dive into the realities of running a pottery studio, from workspace setup and workflow to shipping logistics. The conversation explores Kara’s approach to Patreon, her evolving relationship with social media, and how she balances growth with authenticity. Plus, they discuss her newest book, The Essential Pottery Notebook, available now in the US and Canada and coming soon to the UK and Australia.

-----Find more about Kara’s business below-----
Instagram - @karaleighceramics
Website - https://karaleighfordceramics.com/
Books - The Essential Pottery Notebook, Pottery For Beginners
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/karaleighceramics
Kara's husband's band - https://www.youngmartyrs.com/

Maker of the Moment

• Lanecia Rouse - @larartstudio
• Be rose - @clay.by.be
• Lucy Be - @Lucy_be.ceramics

Resources
Kiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1pm EST
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming bookkeeping workshops

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca kick off the episode by answering listener questions about point-of-sale systems and the enjoyable (and less enjoyable) parts of their making process. Then, they dive into the topic of the day: setting achievable goals to improve your pottery skills for the long term. Along the way, they share practical tips for staying realistic and making meaningful progress in your creative journey.

Maker of the Moment

• Lisa Zolandz - @lisazolandz
• Yu Tanaka - @Yutanaka89

Resources
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming bookkeeping workshops
Kiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1pm EST

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• What POS is most popular? @shawn_reid_pottery
• Favorite/least favorite parts of pottery as a whole? @maryclarecarr
• When learning pottery, it’s easy to get lost and pulled in a million different ways / from clay types to throwing, slab building to glazing. There’s an insane amount of information to digest - is there a good guideline or a path to follow for better building blocks? @amajorhoax

Did you buy an L&L Kiln recently? Please email us if you bought an L&L Kiln and hearing about their products on the podcast influenced your decision. We're sending something special to the first 9 people who reach out to us.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca dive into the importance of maintaining separate bank accounts for business transactions, efficiently tracking expenses, and staying on top of quarterly tax payments. They also discuss the value of understanding business structures and managing finances, sharing helpful resources for every stage of your business journey.

Maker of the Moment

• Hayden Swanson - @livinthedreampottery
• Ishara Sweeney - @I.e.ceramics

Resources
Kiln Management and Repair with Becca Otis - February 12th at 1pm EST
IRS write offs: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/guide-to-business-expense-resources
Mileage tracker - https://www.bench.co/blog/operations/mileage-trackers
https://www.score.org/
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming bookkeeping workshops

Listeners Questions
On this episode:

• Why do people only want to buy mugs?! @gooseandswanpottery
• I’ve recently started a home studio, I’d love to know how to maintain a budget and file those taxes! How do you keep track? Pile of receipts? Excel sheet? What counts as a write-off? I realize this might be a question for a CPA but any insight would be helpful. @palermoceramics

Did you buy an L&L Kiln recently? Please email us if you bought an L&L Kiln and hearing about their products on the podcast influenced your decision. We're sending something special to the first 9 people who reach out to us.

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca kick off the new year by sharing their personal and professional goals for 2025. They dive into strategies for improving time tracking in their small business, discuss aspirations like securing a role with Speedball, and outline financial and marketing goals. They also explore potential collaborations with consignment shops and the opportunities offered by platforms like Faire for expanding their sales. Tune in for an inspiring start to the year!

Did you buy an L&L Kiln recently? Please email us if you bought an L&L Kiln and hearing about their products on the podcast influenced your decision. We're sending something special to the first 9 people who reach out to us.

Maker of the Moment

• Joseph Delphia - @josephdelphiaceramics
• Ellen Shankin - @ellenshankin
• Alex Oskie - @loonceramics
• Jen Kuroki - @jeneok

Resources
Sign up for one of Ryan's upcoming soda firing workshops
Join Ryan's waitlist for a bookkeeping workshop

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca reflect on their 2024 business journeys, sharing the highs and lows and evaluating whether they met their goals. They dive into their financial strategies, the importance of tracking expenses and income, and the lessons learned along the way. The episode wraps up with a discussion of their unique skills, perspectives, and Ryan’s insights from working with the soda kiln this year.

Resources
Try Hurdlr with Becca's referral code
Join Ryan's waitlist for a bookkeeping workshop

Maker of the Moment
We forgot this week…but we’ll have 4 for you next week.

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Is there an advantage to putting kiln wash on Advancer shelves? @jelo.designs

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca share some strategies for boosting attendance at upcoming workshops, emphasize the value of clear communication and marketing, and offer tips for optimizing studio spaces. They also explores affordable kiln firing options for beginners and introduces an exciting new podcast segment spotlighting emerging potters.

Maker of the Moment
Casia Joy - @casiajoyart
Ali Schorman - @ali_schorman

Listener Questions
On this episode:
- Just started listing and my first one was the "Hands-on tips for short workshops". I'm a retired teacher and miss my classes, so I thought I'd give it go with something out of the ordinary, Raku! The first workshop went great, lots of work, but the 7 people who attended had a blast. I've listed 3 other workshops since the and, well, nothing but crickets. I'm working out of a well known artists' studio (he's a painter) who has a large email list, but most of these contacts are at least an hour away. I don't have an email list so I'm reaching out to ya'll for some advice on how to get more local folks out. Loved the idea of Christmas tree decorations and a paint & sip. Should I make flyers and take to business to put up, leave business cards? Anything you may think of will be helpful. Thanks for what ya'll do! -BJ Glick
- What are your go-to’s for storage space in your studio? I’m struggling with how to optimize my space and would love to hear your solutions. @maryclarecarr
- What bare essentials are needed to safely set up a small home studio? Best/most affordable kiln or firing options for someone just doing things on their own? @ali_mac5

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Ryan and Becca share candid experiences with challenging customers and explore how their personalities and appearances can shape these interactions. Wrapping up the episode, they discuss the dream of Ryan building a soda kiln in the backyard and the logistics of installing a gas line for the project.

Listeners Questions
On this episode:
- What are you most proud of accomplishing in each of your pottery journeys? @paisleysoulpottery
- Can you share some examples of past problematic customers? @blackdogpottermn

Sponsors
L&L Kilns - The durable kiln that potters trust to fire evenly & consistently. Find your L&L kiln at hotkilns.com

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel

Support the show on Patreon for as little as $3 per month: https://patreon.com/Wheeltalkpodcast

Follow us on Instagram:
@wheeltalkpodcast
@rdceramics
@5linespottery

Visit our website:
www.wheeltalkpotcast.com
Wheel Talk YouTube Channel