We recently connected with Makeda Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Makeda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

When Katie first walked into the studio, she looked like someone who had given all her energy away before noon. A full-time teacher with a heart for others, Katie was constantly showing up for her students, her family, and her community—but rarely for herself.

She told me she’d stumbled across our pottery workshop listing late one night, right after another exhausting school day. What she needed wasn’t just a class—it was space. Time. Something creative that didn’t come with pressure or judgment.

Katie signed up for our six-week hand-building class, and I could see a shift in her from the very first session. At the table, she was quiet but engaged—focused in a way that felt new to her. With clay in her hands, she didn’t have to take care of anyone else or have all the answers. She just got to be.

By the third week, she was staying a little later, chatting with others, and laughing—really laughing. She told me, “I haven’t felt this relaxed in months. It’s like my mind finally has room to breathe.”

By the end of the class, Katie had built more than just mugs and bowls—she had built a rhythm. One evening a week was now just for her. She left the studio feeling proud, recharged, and even inspired to keep making art on her own. She told me the experience helped her reconnect with herself in a way she didn’t know she needed.

That’s what we do at Sio Ceramics—help people like Katie carve out space for joy, even in busy, overwhelming lives. Because sometimes, touching clay is the first step toward grounding yourself again.

Makeda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Makeda Smith, a Washington, DC–based ceramic artist and founder of Sio Ceramics, a community pottery studio. I’ve been working with clay since 2013, and what started as a personal creative outlet has grown into a full-time passion and business that brings people together through pottery. I officially launched Sio Ceramics in 2020 with the mission of creating space for people to connect, slow down, and express themselves through clay.

At Sio Ceramics, I offer hand-building workshops, private events, and community classes, as well as my art. My work is sculpturally focused and intentionally handmade—each piece celebrates imperfection, process, and individuality. I also teach classes that give people a chance to make something meaningful with their own hands, whether they’re total beginners or experienced makers returning to their practice.

What sets me apart is the atmosphere I create—welcoming, grounded, and deeply personal. I’m most proud of the way people leave my classes feeling not just creatively fulfilled, but more connected to themselves and each other. My work is about more than pottery—it’s about slowing down, making space, and reclaiming joy through a tactile, timeless craft.

If you’ve never touched clay before, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re booking a private date night, looking to reignite your creativity, or simply want to do something just for you—Sio Ceramics is here to help you reconnect, one piece at a time.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started Sio Ceramics, my focus was on making—handcrafted ceramic jewelry and home goods that I sold at local markets and from my studio. I loved the rhythm of creation and the joy of seeing people connect with something I made by hand. But as I deepened my practice, something started to shift.

I began feeling pulled in a new direction. After years of experience as an educator, I realized that my love for clay and my love for teaching didn’t have to exist in separate worlds. More and more people were asking about my process, wanting to try it for themselves, and I could sense a growing need for slower, tactile experiences—especially among folks overwhelmed by work and digital life.

So in mid-2024, I made a pivot: I integrated my skills as a teacher into the core of my business. I began offering classes, workshops, and private pottery events designed to be accessible, grounding, and joyful. It wasn’t just about making art—it was about helping others make time for creativity, community, and self-expression.

That pivot has completely transformed Sio Ceramics. Now, my studio isn’t just a place for selling—it’s a space for gathering, learning, and reconnecting. I’m proud of the way I’ve grown my business to reflect all of who I am: an artist, a teacher, and someone who believes that clay has the power to heal, inspire, and bring people together.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

One resource that significantly shifted my mindset as both a creative entrepreneur and business owner is Bad B!tch On Top: Conquer Your Inner Good Girl Identity to Dominate Your Life and Career, written by Julia Cha. This book gave me the language—and the permission—to let go of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the fear of being “too much.”

As someone who was raised to prioritize being helpful and agreeable, stepping into leadership required a deep internal shift. This book helped me recognize how often I was shrinking or second-guessing myself, especially in moments where I needed to take up space, ask for more, or hold firm boundaries. It reminded me that running a business requires boldness, clarity, and self-trust—not just talent or passion.

Bad B!tch On Top encouraged me to lead from my full self—not just the parts that feel safe or palatable. And that has deeply impacted the way I manage my time, advocate for my worth, and show up for my clients and community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sioceramics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sioceramics/