We recently connected with Lisa Hartensveld and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I was an art teacher for a private school and during my seventh year, on the side, I wrote a pilot for an idea I had for a new television series. During my eight year of teaching, that idea was introduced to a major network. That network liked the idea and was going to pick it up. They wanted me to come on staff as a co-writer and co-producer. Due to this new opportunity, I left my teaching position at the end of my eight year.
Three weeks later, I get a message from my contact/producer at the network that he left the network and my project would need to be put on hold, meaning he was no longer interested! Since I already left my art teacher position and art teacher positions are not easy to come by this sent me spiraling! I went into deep sadness, confusion and anxiety as I didn’t know what I was going to do next – felt like I lost my identity!
I have learned, “Never lose Hope”, because something beautiful can come out of the worst of situations!
Using my previous skills as an art teacher along with my knowledge of different art mediums, I put together a simple pottery program geared to the senior population. This hour program would include discussing the history of clay, a little about some of the famous artists of the past then get into molding our clay.
After about a year or so of that simple program, I began to listen closer to what the Physical Therapist’s and Occupational Therapists were saying to me regarding the therapeutic benefits surrounding the clay and how to evaluate those benefits.
I then contacted an Orthopedic doctor as well as spoke to a Clinical Psychologist. One thing then led to another and our pottery program was enhanced significantly. Now using clay as well as other art mediums, we have a strong therapeutic program good for almost any person and any cognitive level.
Our focus over this 10 plus years now has been to help those in assisted living homes, nursing homes, special needs facilities, day centers, rehabilitation centers, brain injury centers and the like, using clay therapy to inspire, create, nurture and bring hope to people! In many cases it has become just the catalyst they need for themselves to heal from depression, anxiety and hopelessness.
It sounds almost surreal but we have truly experienced people positivity change before our very eyes!
Now that I look back, I am so happy that I had gone through such a loss and hardship because through that I found my true calling and so much more!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Lisa Hartensveld. I am a business owner and art instructor who earned my graphic design degree from the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Transitioning to the field of education, I became an art teacher in private settings, focusing on instructing middle and elementary school children. With over a decade of experience, I founded my own business, Creating with Clay, LLC, which specializes in teaching pottery in a distinctive manner, catering to various cognitive levels. Together with my team, we bring “Hope” to numerous individuals through our creative endeavors.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Growing up in a dysfunctional home environment led me to believe that I was never good enough. That emotional hurt fostered deep insecurity. It is difficult to help others when you yourself are hurting. I had to unlearn those falsehoods to see that I was uniquely made and that there was a purpose for me to fulfill.
I heard this quote said before, “To the world I may only be one person, but to that one person, I may be the world”.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I believe the story above can explain the pivot to my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: creatingwithclayllc.com
- Facebook: Creating with Clay, LLC
- Other: [email protected]
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