Accountability in Small Business: 60 Days of Throwing

Accountability is a cornerstone of success for any small business. For entrepreneurs, it’s not just about delivering quality products or services—it’s about owning the process, being honest about challenges, and continuously striving for growth. As I embark on a 60-day commitment to get my mind back into growing this company, I’m learning firsthand how accountability shapes progress and unlocks new opportunities.

Day 2:

It is now 12:10 a.m. on January 14, I completed the second day of my commitment. This journey is not just about improving my pottery skills; it’s about rebuilding discipline and reconnecting with my craft. So far, throwing clay has been a joy. With no deadlines pressuring me, I’ve had the freedom to rediscover my rhythm at the wheel.

After a few initial missteps, the motions started to feel natural again, and my throwing times improved. However, the drag of long sessions is real. After an hour and a half, I felt fatigue creeping in. To push through, I took a break—walking around, grabbing a snack, and hydrating. I also turned on an audiobook, *The Accidental Creative*, which helped me stay mentally engaged and focused.

I Have an Audience?

Something unexpected happened during my Instagram Live session tonight—two viewers logged in to ask technical questions about pottery. This was a pleasant surprise! While I had hoped for some engagement, I didn’t anticipate this level of interest so early on.

The interactions were energizing. From former coworkers to loyal customers, people chimed in with questions and comments, making the experience more enjoyable.

Vulnerabilities?

Accountability isn’t just about sticking to a schedule—it’s about embracing vulnerability. As I move forward, I’ll be sharing more of the monotonous, behind-the-scenes aspects of pottery, like glazing and trimming mugs. These tasks may seem tedious, but I’m brainstorming ways to make them engaging for my audience.

The most daunting challenge will be opening up about the experimental side of my business—testing new techniques and facing potential failures. I'll be honest, I have a lot of pride. I got Mr. Darcy, not lie he was one of the first movie characters I related to. Minus the whole power, money, and influence thing.

Sharing unfinished work feels risky, but I’m learning that vulnerability fosters connection. This accountability journey has already unlocked doors I didn’t anticipate, and I’m eager to see where it leads.

If you’re interested in pottery or want to learn more about running a small business, I invite you to join me. I go live on Instagram Sunday through Thursday, typically between 9:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Feel free to tune in, ask questions, or even suggest what I should throw next.

This experiment in accountability is shaping my business and personal growth in unexpected ways. If you have feedback or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out via email. Let’s grow together!

-M.M.

Setting Myself Up for Success in 2025... Just Kidding

Full transparency: it’s seven days into the new year, and I haven’t sat at the pottery wheel even once. Crap—that’s a rough start.

I could point to a lot of variables: life’s busy, things came up, yadda yadda. But at the end of the day, I’ve just found it hard to get my mind right and focus on the goals I set for the new year. I was wildly ambitious with my resolutions, and now I feel stuck in that realm of fear that stops you from even starting. You know that feeling—you’ve got something you’re confident could be wildly successful if you execute it correctly, but the doubts creep in and hold you back.

It’s easy to sit on the couch and get lost in YouTube. Whether it’s Matt Carriker from Demolition Ranch trying to kickstart his resort, or Brandon Herrera cracking jokes on Gun Meme Review, it’s fun to watch others step out of their comfort zones. But let’s face it: it’s also a distraction. It’s a convenient excuse to do nothing.

So, what’s my reality? My evenings start with the bedtime routine for my kids. Around 6:30 or 7:00, we’re reading three bedtime stories, cuddling, and waiting for my son to fall asleep. It can take an hour or more, and when you’re curled up in a comfy bed with a warm little guy next to you, it’s so easy to fall asleep yourself. Before you know it, you’re waking up at 10:30 or 11:30, and the whole evening is gone.

My pottery schedule is supposed to run from 8:00 p.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday nights are my free time—usually gaming with friends I’ve known for years. On most nights, though, I don’t actually get started until around 9:15 or 9:30, after my wife finishes her evening routine and takes the baby girl out of my arms. That leaves me about 2.5 to 3 hours, five nights a week, to handle everything related to my pottery business: prepping, throwing, trimming, glazing, firing—you name it.

And all of this happens after an 8-hour workday at my regular job (often longer because of meetings and events). It’s also after playing with my kids, helping my wife with dinner, and everything else life throws my way. So yeah, I could use the excuse that I’m tired. But let’s be real—everyone’s tired. I’m not special.

For 2025, I’ve set some big goals:

• 1,800 individual pieces

• Launching a new line of slip-cast mugs

• Five new earring designs—all in the first quarter of the year

Where am I now? Let’s just say the progress has been... minimal. Can I hit these goals? I’m not sure. But I have to get to work. There’s a lot of personal pride riding on this.

Last year, my first in business, I set the bar high: nearly $30,000 in sales. That’s phenomenal for a startup pottery company. There were no viral gimmicks, just quality, handmade pottery crafted in a garage late at night. To think I accomplished that blows my mind.

Why am I sharing all this? To remind myself (and maybe you) that hard work often sucks. It doesn’t always go your way. There’s nothing physically stopping me from achieving these goals—it’s all mental. Starting a “second shift” at the end of a long day isn’t easy. But you know what? I just need to suck it up, commit, and get it done.

I’m fortunate this is a passion project and not a necessity. Many people work second shifts because they have to. I get to choose this.

So, what’s the takeaway? Accountability. If I’m going to succeed, I need to hold myself accountable every single work night. To make it real, I’m putting my money where my mouth is—or rather, my mugs.

Here’s the plan: I’ll post my pottery work schedule at the beginning of each month. Every night I’m scheduled to work, I’ll go live for a check-in. If I don’t go live or post some form of public check-in by midnight, the first person to call me out will receive a mug—free of charge.

This will run for the next 8 weeks: Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 p.m. to midnight. If you don’t see me online working, and you’re the first to call me out, expect a mug in the mail shortly after.

Is this a bit insane? Absolutely. Is it ambitious? Yep. But it’s time to stop making excuses and start putting in the work. Let’s see how this goes.

2024: A Year in Review for MM Pottery Co.

2024: A Year of Growth and Reflection

Now that 2024 has come to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year of unexpected success and incredible impact. Starting this journey, I never imagined the connections and opportunities that would unfold through my handmade pottery business. Not only did we sell over 834 handcrafted pieces, but we also formed meaningful relationships with families and individuals, witnessing firsthand how handmade pottery could brighten someone's daily life.

With just three hours of work most nights, about five days a week, I discovered how creativity and commitment could transform not only my life but also my community. Who knew that a handmade pottery business could shift my trajectory and foster connections I never dreamed possible?

The Why Behind the Work

Before diving into our year’s accomplishments, I want to share why I started this journey. I've always struggled with idle hands—I need to be creating, moving, or doing something productive. Before pottery, I spent countless hours gaming, achieving goals that, while entertaining, felt ultimately empty. Pottery changed that.

Starting a handmade pottery business gave me a purpose beyond myself. It allowed me to engage with the world around me, build something tangible, and financially support my family in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Even more, it created the foundation for a legacy I hope to pass down to my children. My dream is to involve them in this work, teaching them the value of hard work and creativity while building a future they can one day take over.

Milestones and Lessons from 2024

Early Success:
By January, MM Pottery Co. had been in business for just five months, with only a 125 pieces sold. I braced for a slow start to the year, expecting post-holiday sales to plummet. To my surprise, sales steadily climbed, driven by demand for our handmade pottery during the colder months.

Spring Innovation:
With the arrival of spring and increased foot traffic at the farmers market, we introduced the "Felix" mug—a tall, slender design that had a very different feel than the Bob. While initial sales were modest, they gained traction as the season progressed. We also began teasing our dinnerware line, sparking excitement and inquiries that kept customers engaged.

The Felix Coffee Mug

This is our Felix mug. It is a taller, more slender mug that offers a taller hand grip.

Challenges of Growth:
Summer brought new challenges as temperatures soared above 95°F, dampening mug sales. However, our drinking glasses saw a significant uptick. This shift allowed us to debut our dinnerware line, resulting in unexpected success. Within two weeks, we received orders for over 120 pieces, including two large orders of 36 and 48-piece sets. The complexity of creating identical pieces posed challenges, but it was a rewarding learning experience.

Community Impact:
One of the year’s most profound moments came during the holiday season. When a friend's family faced a crisis, we donated all earnings from our final three markets, raising nearly $5,000. This effort underscored the incredible opportunities this handmade pottery business has created—not just for me but for those around us.

Looking Ahead to 2025

This past year was far from easy. Poor planning, tight deadlines, and sleepless nights taught me countless lessons. My focus for 2025 is on streamlining production, especially for our signature handmade pottery pieces. By pulling back from some markets and concentrating on efficiency in the first quarter, I aim to lay the groundwork for even greater success.

Through it all, MM Pottery Co. remains committed to delivering quality products that we stand behind and that the consumer appreciates. We’re grateful for the customers who trust us to create something special, whether it’s a handmade mug for their morning coffee or a full dinnerware set for their new home.

I invite you to join us on this journey. Follow us on Instagram, read our blog, or subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and deals. Here's to another year of creativity, connection, and community impact.

Why We’re Closing Our Etsy Store This Holiday Season: A Mission to Make a Difference

Why We’re Closing Our Etsy Store This Holiday Season: A Mission to Make a Difference

As the holiday season approaches, we know many of you look forward to finding special, handmade gifts to share with your loved ones. At MM Pottery Co, it’s always been our joy to craft pieces that bring beauty and warmth into your homes. This year, however, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Etsy store from now until the end of the year.

This isn’t just a business decision—it’s part of a deeply personal mission.

Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of getting to know a beautiful family who is now facing an incredibly challenging time. Earlier this year, they welcomed twin babies, joining their two older daughters, ages two and five. Shortly after, they received devastating news: the father of this family has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Our hearts hurt for their plight, and we’ve been moved to act. From now until the end of the year, MM Pottery Co will donate 100% of our income to this family. We hope to ease their financial burdens during this time of uncertainty.

To maximize the impact of our gift, we’ve decided to focus exclusively on in-person sales. Operating our Etsy store involves fees, shipping, packaging, and other costs that reduce the funds we can give. By simplifying our operations, we can maximize what we provide to this family while also managing our own expenses during this effort.

We know that this decision may disappoint some of our loyal customers who shop with us online, especially during the holiday season. But we believe that this temporary change allows us to use our talents as potters to make a meaningful difference for a family in need.

How You Can Help
If you’d like to support this mission, we welcome you to reach out to us at mmpotteryco@gmail.com. Every gesture of kindness, whether through encouragement or assistance, means the world to us and the family we’re supporting.

What’s Next for MM Pottery Co
After this effort, we’ll likely take the month of January to catch up on stock and recharge. When we return, it will be with renewed energy and inspiration, ready to create pieces that bring even more joy to your lives.

Thank you for understanding and for your continued support. Your kindness is what allows us to dream big and act boldly, and we’re so grateful to have you as part of our MM Pottery Co family.

See you on the other side,
Martin Meyers
MM Pottery Co

Mastering Time Management as a Busy Entrepreneur: Every Second Counts

Balancing Family, Full-Time Work, and a Growing 9-12pm Business

Time is everything. With a full-time job averaging over 40 hours a week, a family that I devote every spare moment to, and a handmade pottery business that fills my evenings, I’ve come to understand how crucial every second is. From 9 PM to midnight, I’m in my studio, shaping clay, managing orders, and working to grow my brand. Those three hours are dedicated solely to pottery, a passion project that I’m striving to turn into something greater.

The Importance of Time: A Valuable Learning Experience

Last weekend’s McKinney Art Studio Tour was a lesson in the real value of time. I spent 20 hours setting up, manning my studio, and hoping to connect with potential customers. The turnout, however, was small, with only seven new faces among friends, family, and other artists. Ultimately, I sold three pieces for $100—a fraction of what I’d typically earn at a local farmers market.

It was a disappointing outcome for the time and effort invested. Although I enjoyed quality time with my family, especially my three-year-old who I threw the football with for hours, we spent much of the weekend waiting for visitors who never came. Reflecting on it now, I realize that as an entrepreneur with limited time, I have to be strategic about every opportunity I pursue.

Making Meaningful Connections with Customers

I’ve learned that not all events align with my goals for the business. Rather than investing time in art studio tours, I’m planning to organize a client appreciation evening. I want to connect with customers who genuinely value my work and support my journey. This event will be a chance to celebrate those who have contributed to MM Pottery Co.’s growth, with food, live music, and pottery demonstrations—an evening where I can say “thank you” to the community that keeps me going.

Time Is My Most Precious Resource

Managing my pottery business while juggling other responsibilities has shown me that every second counts. If I’m investing time, it needs to be both financially and personally rewarding. With time being finite, I’m learning to prioritize moments that truly matter for my family, my work, and myself.

Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey. Your support is invaluable, and I’m excited to continue creating pieces that bring joy and meaning to your lives.

– M.M.