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Classifi ed
How did you get that job?
Name Holly Provan
Job Title ’Paint your own’ pottery shop owner and manager Company Doodles Ceramics Workshop
When did you start your job? I started my business in December 1999 with the help of the PSYBT (Princes Scottish Youth Business Trust).
So what does your new role actually involve? Loads of things! No two days are ever the same. There is the creative side: assisting customers with their designs, doing commissions, planning and painting workshop samples. There is the technical side: fi ring the pottery . . . it is always a race against time to get the ceramics ready in time for collection! Then there is the necessary admin, involving accounting, stock control, event planning and PR. I am always chasing my tail and drinking many a cold cup of tea. Best / Worst Aspects? The best thing is seeing lots of people really happy when they pick up their pottery, or hearing that granny or dad was moved to tears on receipt of a Doodles gift. There is always a happy buzz in the shop; whether it be babies pressing their footprints on to mugs, a team building day, a girls’ night out or hen party. This makes work a pleasure most of the time until the dark clouds of paperwork and accounting loom over me. I feel very lucky to be self-employed in a job I love as it gives me real fl exibility in my working hours – essential now that I have two small children. The fl ip side is that there is a huge responsibility on your shoulders . . . the buck really does stop with me!
What did you do before you started this job? I trained as a Landscape Architect at Edinburgh College of Art. In my fi rst graduate job I had a great boss who let me head off for six months of the year to work some ski seasons in Colorado. It was while snowboarding in the resort of Breckinridge, Co. that I fi rst came across ‘paint your own’ pottery. I enjoyed it so much I decided to open one up myself . . .
What’s the best way to get a job like yours? See a gap in the market and create your own business around that idea. I discovered that I’m more of a people person than a designer and so it seemed a very natural step to take. Looking back, what advice would you give to a young Holly at the start of his career? Follow your instincts and have faith in your ability and ideas. I’ve lost count of the knock backs the banks gave me, but sheer determination, a strong belief in the Doodles concept and a huge business plan turned it all into a reality!
And fi nally . . .
Now that Doodles is turning 10, how do you plan to celebrate? We are planning a big party on the Sunday 20 December and all are welcome! There will be lots of wine, nibbles and of course birthday cake. There will also be live music throughout the day and evening from singer songwriter and staff member extraordinaire, Andi Neate! As a special gift to all who come and wish to paint we have an ‘Everything a Tenner’ deal. That’s right: all pottery £10 whatever the size! To join in the festivities simply call us on 0131 229 1399 to book a place.
Languages Edinburgh
Berlitz Language Centre Language courses. Evenings.15 hours. Foreign Languages £140 for 10 weeks. English £99 for 5 weeks. 14 Frederick Street.
0131 226 7198 edinburgh
@languagecentres.com
Dance ■ Swing Dance classes Swing dance from 1940s New York, is fun, sociable and full of style. Zoot Swing teaches this exciting partner dance in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Drop- in classes, start any week, no partner required, meet people in class. www.zootswing.co.uk
Mind&Body ■ PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ■ HEALTH & BEAUTY ■
Personal Development
Ayurveda day course ■ With expert Dr. Donn Brennan. Saturday 14th November, £50. Contact Angela to book a place 0141 3399916 or for info. on Transcendental Mediation.
Writers
Extra Help for ■ and Artists. Emotional diffi culties blocking your creativity? Lack of confi dence hampering progress? Work just fi ne, but the rest of your life a struggle? One-to- one sessions in Edinburgh with psychotherapist and coach specialising in work with writers and artists. Matthew Elton 07779- 036-924 www.extra-help.org.uk
Noticeboard ACTIVITIES ■ BANDS & MUSIC ■ WANTED ■
Activites Glasgow
Get More Out of Life
@ our activities and social club - Wining, Dining, Cinema, Theatre, Walks and Sports including our popular Badminton group. FREE 2 month trial. Yearly Membership
only £40. Contact us for
more details Tel: 07546 570 139 or www.glasgowivc.org.uk
Gift Ideas
Christmas Polo Vouchers An unexpected present that is
sure to be well received. We have
very quiet horses so that non- riders and absolute beginners can learn to play. Polo is an adrenalin fi lled way to get fi t and be social. It is even fun for the spectators! Call Karina on 07974 706045 or
for more information see www.stewartonpolo.co.uk
Book your Flatshare ad ONLINE Got a room to rent? Then The List Flatshare service is for you. It’s a reliable and successful way of advertising for a fl atmate. Because The List is Scotland’s best-selling entertainment and lifestyle magazine, it’s the perfect place to fi nd someone with similar interests to you. What’s more, the advert lasts for 2 weeks which maximises your responses, so you can pick and choose who you really want to live with. Even better all of our fl atshare adverts are now available to view on our website which currently receives over 350,000 unique visits per month.
Go to www.list.co.uk and click on ‘fl atshare’ at the top of the page You will be asked for: 1 Your name, address and phone number 2 Up to 30 words description about the fl atshare including the room, rent, number of other occupants and type of person sought 3 A contact number for potential fl at mates to ring
Your advert will appear in the next available issue of The List magazine and on The List website
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5–19 Nov 2009 93 THE LIST