News Release Archive
NEWS RELEASE (CNS847) -->> ECONOMIC RENEWAL--POTTER THROWS CUPS AND MOLDS FUTURE ECONOMIC RENEWAL--POTTER THROWS CUPS AND MOLDS FUTURE ----------------------------------------------------------------- Just over a year ago, Sarah MacMillan was one of a growing number of Nova Scotia-based artists using the Economic Renewal Agency's Youth Entrepreneurial Skills (YES) loan program as a kick-start to turning artistic talent into profit. Just one year later, she has opened the door of her own full-time business. Sarah came to Nova Scotia from Ontario in 1994, and enrolled at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (NSCAD) to complete her study of ceramics. A year and-a-half later, she was looking for a summer job. "I wanted to start my own business after college, so this was a chance to try it out under the shelter of the art school, to test the market," she said. NSCAD allowed Sarah to use space and facilities at the school for her business. Her YES loan paid for business cards, materials, a booth at the Halifax Farmers' Market, and professional fees to gain entry to shows and exhibitions. The potter steeled herself for the challenge. "I knew it was going to be tough. It's difficult enough as it is to make a living as a potter, and May to August was a pretty short time to do business." she said. Her biggest problem was making sufficient inventory. "The secret is to keep producing during the slow times because you will need stock later," she said. "I'm glad I did it. I didn't make a lot of cash, but I paid back my loan. It was valuable experience." Sarah graduated after another semester at NSCAD, and immediately set to converting her summer YES experience into her own small business. She found studio space on Peggy's Cove Road, just 10 minutes from the world renowned tourist attraction. With lots of drive-by traffic and being close to the city and arts community, the location was ideal. Since 600,000 people go to Peggy's Cove every year, "it seemed like a good spot," said Sarah. A Community Business Loan from the Nova Scotia Economic Renewal Agency enabled her to buy a kiln and she spent a few months renovating her studio and showroom. Her business, Nine of Cups, opened at the end of August. It was instantly very busy, with lots of people buying. The name, appropriately enough, was taken from a Tarot card that means "bringing your dreams to fruition." "Sarah's dreams are coming true because of her talent and determination. The YES loan let her test her business skills," said Economic Renewal Minister Richie Mann. "Her second loan, also from the ERA, let Sarah use what she had learned to run a successful full-time business." Now Sarah is looking forward to the year ahead and her grand opening in mid-November. It will be a year of getting to know what the customers want and what the summer and fall seasons are like. Then she will spend a "quiet winter" working on new designs and catching up on existing orders. "Basically .... I'll be keeping my head above water," she said. However, there's an air of quiet confidence about Sarah. Her brightly coloured porcelain dinnerware has already proved to be a popular purchase. The YES program was instrumental in her development as a businesswoman. "It helped me to see what it was going to be like working by myself, and it helped me to gauge the public's response to my work and my pricing. It's a great program. It was an excellent experience," she said. Information on the YES loan program is available by contacting the Economic Renewal Agency (toll-free) at 1-800-565-2009. -30- Contact: Steve Fairbairn 902-424-5836 trp Nov. 25, 1996 - 2:55 p.m.