Tableware potter for cafes and shops

Cafes, restaurants, homewares and gift shops, galleries and some corporate gift buyers.

Wholesale orders at a set price per piece, custom runs for venues, and direct sales through a website or studio open days.

• Producing consistent, repeatable pieces
• Glaze testing and kiln management
• Costing and pricing for wholesale
• Dealing with business customers

• Check zoning and council rules for running a workshop or small unit in your area
• Check commercial kiln power, ventilation and fire safety requirements
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Wholesale margins are thin, so check your costs carefully before agreeing prices
• Food-safe glazes: check that glazes and finished pieces suit commercial food use
• Breakages in firing or delivery can eat into profit, so allow for them in your pricing

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $40,000, depending on your workshop, kiln, equipment, materials and insurance. These are estimates, so get quotes for a commercial kiln and workshop space before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on order sizes, pricing and how many cafes and shops you supply. These are estimates only. It typically takes at least about 30 hours a week.

Check zoning and council rules for your workshop, and commercial kiln power, ventilation and fire safety requirements. Check that glazes suit commercial food use, and public liability, product liability and workers compensation insurance. Wholesale margins are thin, so check costs carefully.