Meet Ella Stafford | Mom, Potter, Motivational Speaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ella Stafford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ella, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There were so many thoughts that went though my head before starting my business. Ultimately, my back was against the wall. At the time I needed help with childcare. Being a transplant to the Charlotte area, I didn’t have a support system and was in a toxic marriage. Leaving my six figured Data Analyst income to make make only a fraction was scary especially with children, but I was out of options.

My primary financial goal was to be able to maintain and be available whenever the childcare center was quarantining. I knew my start up costs and had enough savings to last for 6 months. The months prior to opening I spent my nights research all my known “what ifs” and my back up plans. I could have never imagined the business taking off at the rate it did and me making history as Charlotte’s first Black Owned Pottery Studio and one of only 2 in the state of North Carolina.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I have several disabilites, some I was born with and some which came later. I believe that my disabilities give me an edge as a creative business owner. Being dyslexic has meant that I have had to always creatively compensate to get a head, which gives me 40+ years of thinking out the box. Being a business owner, you have to be able to overcome hurdles and be flexible. Always be flexible enough to pivot is what I have learned in life and business.

My second disability, is depression. As a true 80s baby, I shocked to learn that depression was classified as a disability. We were taught to just tough it out. After suffering a severe depression, I got into pottery. As an overthinker, I need the mental break that art provides. Its also a blessing to be able to provide a safe creative safe for others. I am very vocal for the need of a village. Yes, we are pottery studio on the surface, but we a village at the core. We can discuss life, our challenges, grief, domestic violence, and our wins (of course).

The Village is a creative safe haven. I always tell my students/ customers that art doesn’t solve life issues but it can give the brain a break. Pottery/ art is an instant tanigle creation that isn’t representive of what we our going through. It represents beauty despite being in a dark space or our shortcomings.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Now, if this was about Atlanta, I got you! I called Atlanta home for 13 years before relocating to Charlotte. Being a mom and business owner slows down my social life. But should I find the time I do have some favorites. My ideal day off would start off at the Waffle House or Paulines Tea Bar. New I love to visit the Real African Art Gallery. The carved pieces and canvas art is just captivating. For lunch I would grab some shrimp and grits from Cuzzo’s Cuisine. While eating I will check Charlotte_Pinc on ig to find what’s the move. Charlotte_Pinc lists all POC weekend events for Charlotte. As you can see, I am a believer in spending in my community and showing support. To round out the day I am likely in the studio creating. I always feel creative at night. In the rare cases, I have time I may visit Weathered Souls Brewery.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be where I am without the help of the Village. Four months after opening the studio, I lost my mother and then went through a divorce. It was a lot to handle year one as my studio took off. I was blessed to have instructors who filled in the gap as I was finding my new norm as a business owner, mom, and daughter. The support was unreal. That year the Village became family! It just wasn’t a studio to those who came, but we “the village” became what we all needed.

Website: www.vsgnc.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/villagestudionc

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/villagestudio

Facebook: www.facebook.com/villagestudionc

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@villagestudionc

Other: TikTok www.tiktok.com/@villagestudionc

Image Credits
Javon Jeter @afewstills