Open Y Own our Paint Y our Own Pottery Studio!

A StArt Up GUide And dAily OperAtiOnS MAnUAl

TABLE OF CONTENTS
THE CERAMICS STUDIO OVERVIEW The Customer CREATING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN 1. Description of Your Business 2. The Marketing Plan 3. The Financial Management Plan 4. The Executive Management Plan SELECTING AND DEVELOPING YOUR SITE Key Elements LEASE NEGOTIATIONS Suggested Lease Inclusions Negotiating Your Lease SPECIAL LICENSES AND PERMITS SUGGESTED INSURANCE COVERAGES SUGGESTED BANK ACCOUNTS PAYING TAXES Employer Identification Number EIN IRS-Suggested Reports Federal Taxes Income Taxes Self-Employment Taxes Social Security, Medicare, and Withheld Income Taxes Unemployment Taxes Excise Taxes State Income Taxes State Unemployment Taxes Sales Taxes County or Town Taxes START UP CHECK LIST SUGGESTED EQUIPMENT, FIXTURES AND SUPPLIES START UP BUDGET Deposits Start Up Inventory Guidelines Studio Fees and Pricing Bisque 1 1 2 2 3 4 4 6 6 8 10 11 14 15 16 17 17 17 18 18 19 19 19 19 19 20 20 20 23 26 28 29 29 31

Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association

2007

RETAIL STORE DESIGN Space Planning Goals ADA Compliance Store Design Stats How to Prepare a Schematic Space Plan Generic Space Programming Summary Workspaces Auxiliary Spaces Furniture, Resources and End Notes Customer Flow Customer Focus Customer Experience PLANNING THE KILN ROOM Kiln Clearances Electrical & HVAC Requirements Venting Requirements Future Needs CCSA FINANCIAL SURVEY RESULTS SAMPLE STUDIO PROFILES FINANCE BASICS The Business Plan Necessity of Accounting Systems Accounting and POS General Ledger Balance Sheet Income Statement Other Business Measurements Budgeting Financing Through Banks Payroll Internal Controls Financial Management Systems KILN MANAGEMENT Loading Your Kiln Kiln Unloading Process Cleaning Your Kiln Kiln Firing Record Use & Interpretation of Witness Cones KILN MAINTENANCE Firebricks Kiln Floors Kiln Lid Heating Elements Control Touchpad Panel Fuse Replacement

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Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association

2007

KILN MAINTENANCE continued Thermocouple Replacement Power Relay Replacement KILN SAFETY KILN TROUBLESHOOTING GLAZING TECHNIQUES DIPPING TECHNIQUES TECHNICAL PROBLEMS OF CONTEMPORARY STUDIOS MARKETING AND ADVERTISING: WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? Marketing Plans Advertising Media Development and Placement Collateral Sales Support PR Sales Strategy Market Research Community Involvement Free Marketing & Advertising Ideas Promoting Your Studio BASIC PAINTING TIPS AND TRICKS Brushes: Their Care and Usage EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Job Descriptions Wage and Labor Laws EMPLOYEE TRAINING MANUAL GLOSSARY OF TERMS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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Contemporary Ceramic Studios Association

2007