We were lucky to catch up with Thomas and Paul recently and have shared our conversation below.
Thomas and Paul, appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
P : Wow, there are so many to pick from – we would say this. Every time we have come to a choice that every small business owner comes to, we have made a decision, right or wrong, we keep creating new levels to our business. Sometimes we catch a wave and other times it feels like treading water. But we have faith it will work out.
T : We have seen other businesses around us wait for the right time, and they are no longer here. From our boardwalk DIY studio to a landmark studio and retail space employs 10 + in house artists and experience staff. We continue to jump into the unknown using our resilience to build a growing small business. We think thats the key to our vision, creating lively spaces where you can experience craftsmanship up close.
Thomas and Paul, 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?
T : It is a simple concept — glass created by humans has a bit more joy in it. And we are unique in how we built this business. There are two ways to engage with our brand; purchase human-made glassware from our retail space or have an immersive experience in our hot shop. A mixed use environment that is supporting our artists and giving visitors such a great experience.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
T : We find great energy from our in-house artist’s. One of a kind pieces that are readily available through our attached retail space and soon to launch, our digital shop. You are getting a conscious sourcing experience with our glass artist. If you are curious about what we do, we are open 7 days a week for the public to check out what a working studio feels like.
P : The sudden connection our customers experience with our glassware is the reason we have built this over 15 years. The phrase that we hear often is “It’s so cool” and we believe that is the human reaction of true joy. That’s the business we are in, we are in the sharing of joy business. Seeing our customer created pieces or our artist pieces in peoples special spaces, is something we will continue to do.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
P : The first thing that comes to mind is our move to “Cookman”. It was a big risk, as I look back on that, it is a shock that we navigated the last nuances of opening to the public. Most business owners find solutions, no matter how stressful and messy it can be. Overcoming challenges is the basic lifestyle of having a business.
T : We just kept learning and building on those customer, staff, our loved ones’ responses, growing our business with our community. It makes us feel great that our studio is a landmark for openness and creativity. Supporting the mission to bring artists and the public closer, in vibrant spaces. We are excited about our next chapter of this crazy journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hotsandap.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotsandap/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hot-sand-ap