Owning a small business is a labour of love, and we love our small business owners! We asked the businesses of Moss End Garden Village to share a short story of why they decided to start their business, what they love about owning a business at Moss End, or just something entertaining about themselves…

This week we’re introducing Top of the Pots and Laura, the owner.

Top of the Pots is, as it sounds, a pottery painting studio where visitors can paint their own pottery. Sounds simple (and it is!), but once you delve into the world of creativity within their studio you will discover that paint your own pottery means timeless keepsakes created by capturing a tiny baby’s footprints onto ceramics, the ultimate in personalised wedding gifts, unforgettable memories of a 6th birthday party with a difference or just simply something that you created with your own two hands.

Laura started Top of the Pots as a bit of a turn of fate we discovered. Sadly, Laura’s grandparents passed away, but they had left her some money and when she saw the studio was for sale, on her birthday nonetheless, she jumped at the chance and she hasn’t looked back since.

When we asked what Laura loved about owning her own business she commented, “the flexibility, to be able to bring my little one into work with me and have the kids around me when there’s school inset days etc is a real help.”

She also loves working with her best friend, they’ve known each other since they were 11 years old and it brings a real sense of family to the studio. Its also wonderful to see how creative our customers get, each day is different, you never know what magic will happen.

One of Laura’s passions is unsurprisingly ceramics, she studied Art at school but ceramics has become her new love. She is also very passionate about her family, making sure there is time for memories to be made together.

Laura loves being part Moss End Garden Village due to the community feel between all the traders. Laura said “watching Moss End grow over the years has been amazing, its developed so much to offer something for everyone. With the new businesses joining its now a destination, not just a retail space.”

What you might not know about Laura is that she actually trained to be a wedding planner and, stranger yet, she has now coccyx after breaking it during gymnastics at primary school!

With more than 44 independent retailers at Moss End Garden Village, this is just a small snapshot of some of the familiar faces you’ll see when you visit.   Come and visit to explore and discover a new shop you’ve never been to, and don’t forget to say hello to the owner! To find a list of all businesses that call Moss End Garden Village home, click here.