Local Business: Meet Deanna Ranlett of MudFire

Patch recently caught up with Deanna Ranlett, owner of MudFire, an imaginative playground for adults who like to make things by hand and don’t mind getting dirty. But you can keep your mind out of the gutter: MudFire is a pottery studio where you can make you clay creations and get away from life’s daily grind.

1) What have you learned while starting and operating your own business?
What haven’t I learned? In all seriousness, each and every day comes with a new lesson. I think the most important piece of knowledge I have gleaned is that you can’t hyper focus on the minutia, and you have to learn to roll with the punches and/or rise with the tide. You have to realize that you can’t control every detail.

2) What was the biggest thing that surprised you as a business owner?
The biggest surprise has been how quickly your support network can change and how tough a retail environment can be to predict.

3) If you were starting a business today what would you do differently, if anything?
I started my first business, Atlanta Clay, with a small capital investment and used credit to finance the rest. If I had this to do over I would have delayed the opening and tried to garner a bit more equity up front to allow the business to have the flexibility to become stronger and have more flexible capital up front. In my second business, I took over a system that was already running in MudFire and I have to say that while there was a pretty intense learning curve it was easier to step into a super organized structure than devising the structure from scratch.

Oh and take an accounting class before you start. My partner and I both wish we’d had more business classes as art majors. I have two degrees but preparing for all of the number crunching and writing necessary for business was a major on the job learning experience.

4) What’s the best part of owning your own business?
The interaction with people is very satisfying when each transaction has personal meaning and bearing on the success of the business. I also enjoy being able to take my dogs to work and getting to form a family type relationship with my staff.

5) What have you learned through the challenges of owning your own business?
That business ebbs and flows and you have to ride through the challenges to succeed. I can’t say that I have perfected that, and I have a long way to go before I can just sit back and relax.

6) How important is it for people to support independent business owners in their community?
Crucial. Of course we all know the internet has “everything” but it doesn’t replace being able to call someone who really knows what they are talking about. Plus supporting local businesses supports local families and the families of all of the business’s staff members.

MudFire has a gallery and a studio and each side has its own need to be supported by the local community. MudFire has a very community oriented vibe with members sharing birthdays, potlucks, and social events in addition to just patronizing a business. There is even a pottery throwing app for your phone.

We also have to support each other to make the gallery side of MudFire a success - potters collect the work of other potters and appreciate the quality of handmade goods. Without local support our local art-makers suffer too.

7) What do you love about being an American business owner?
As a small child - I grew up outside of Pittsburgh during the economic collapse in the early to mid 1980s. At the time I didn’t even have the capacity to understand the “American” dream but I do feel that I am on my path to understanding and realizing the dream. I was one of the first in my extended family to go to college and I know that is something I cannot take for granted as an American.

8) When did you decide to go into business for yourself? Was it a dream come true?

This is a funny question because I actually started my first business just a few weeks after being fired. Being fired was a catalyst that pushed me toward doing something I had been thinking of for a very long time. I had started emailing, networking, and had secured product lines within a few weeks and had leased a space six months after being fired and opened my doors for business. In our 10 year goals we had listed owning or expanding to include a studio.

In year 4, the opportunity of owning MudFire came to our doorstep and that really was sort of like a daydream coming true. Having a studio where we can teach techniques, develop relationships with customers, and showcase results in the gallery is an incredible gift as far as our goals are concerned.

9) What is the most important thing that you’ve learned since going into business for yourself?
Smile everyday. Try to take time for yourself - I don’t do this very much and every year we make a New Year’s Resolution to relax, actually enjoy weekends and cook at home more. This is something we have learned but unfortunately don’t usually act on.

10) Are there any traditions that have been passed down over the years that your business follows when it comes to pleasing the client?
We offer coupons, referral incentives, and other loyalty programs to our members/customers. We also have bonding/learning nights with our staff to allow a forum for shared knowledge and fun. We also try to have parties to celebrate our local community - food, fun, and good times go a long way to securing repeat business.

11) What inspires you to get up every morning?
Drive. I am driven to carve out my niche in the world.

12) How do you ensure quality in your work?
I tend to micromanage to a point. When I am spread too thin sometimes this is not effective but I do like to be very hands-on. Making sure I am a part of the decision making process allows me more transparency in all aspects of the business.

13) What makes for a good day at your business?
Sales of course, but also laughter which happens a lot at MudFire - oh and snacks
We have a full kitchen and take advantage of cooking for each other.

14) What makes the people who work for your business unique?
We choose artists to work with us so by nature they are unique individuals. Our staff at both businesses comes from a variety of backgrounds. It is important to surround yourself with people who are different from you to provide a fresh perspective.