Business Q&A: Laura Dudley, Painting Pots

Last updated Mar 7, 2024

Laura Dudley

This is the latest in a regular series of Business Q&A features published weekly.

This week, we spoke to Laura Dudley, owner of Painting Pots in Knaresborough.

Tell us in fewer than 30 words what your firm does.

Painting Pots is a pottery-painting business in the first instance, but we also run parties, community events and fundraising projects, such as the Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt. We’re also a base for the Baby Bundle Appeal, which collects donations to make bundles for babies admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit at Harrogate District Hospital.

What does it require to be successful in business?

Being able to adapt, and being good at problem-solving and thinking on your feet. For example, when the covid pandemic came along, I’d seen it coming, so I’d bought in a load of kits that people could do at home.

What drives you to do what you do every day?

I really just want every interaction I have with customers, suppliers and everyone else to be a positive one. Making sure customers leave with a smile is important. I also want to make my family proud of me.

What has been the toughest issue your company has had to deal with over the last 12 months?

I’m at a point where I want to grow the business – things are getting busier in the studio all the time – but I’m only one human being! I’d like to take someone on, but it’s hard to find the right person. This business is quite seasonal, and I can’t afford to take someone on permanently, so they need to be flexible with their hours. Also, juggling business and family life is hard sometimes.

Which other local firms do you most admire and why?

Knaresborough printers Sid Horner & Sons are incredible for the care and passion they show the community. I love working with them and they’re always supportive of what I do. The same goes for The Living Room café in Starbeck.

Who are the most inspiring local leaders?

The inspiring people for me are the people I live alongside and work with on a daily basis. People like Natalie Horner [of Sid Horner & Sons] and Annie Wilkinson-Gill [of The Crystal Buddha], who set up Knaresborough Business Collective, as well as Sally Haslewood of Harrogate Mumbler and Vic Smith-Dunn of My Life Pool, which does lots of events for families – she’s amazing. They’re the people who inspire me and make me want to come out and do more to support the local community.

What could be done locally to boost business?

Parking is an issue in Knaresborough – it’s always quite a struggle. There are areas that could be utilised for parking that aren’t being. Knaresborough could also do with a tourist information spot that’s independent. Not to have our own is crazy when there’s so much going on here. For Harrogate, I’d like to see more independent shops opening up.

Best and worst things about running a business from Knaresborough?

It’s not Knaresborough-specific, but for me one of the worst things is the paperwork. There aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything.

The best thing is the people. I’m a real people person and love meeting and talking to people, whatever I’m doing. Whether I’m doing the Great Knaresborough Bunny Hunt or I’m out meeting clients or guests who come to our parties, I want to make every interaction I have positive. That way, I can leave this Earth happy.

What are your business plans for the future?

I want to make everything much slicker. I would like to find that elusive staff member, but I really just want to carry on doing what I’m doing, but better, and keep going.

What do you like to do on your time off?

My husband says I’m a collector of crafts, but doer of none! He’s a teacher, and we both have quite high-intensity jobs – we’re often sat there in the evening, working away on laptops – so I like spending quality time with my family, doing lots of daft activities, like crazy golf.

Best place to eat and drink locally?

That’s a hard one! I enjoy going to So! Bar – the staff are lovely there. I like The Disappearing Chin in Harrogate too – that’s a really quirky place to go. Two Brothers as well – the kids love going there.