The Famous Grouse Idea Centre’s (FGIC), designed to maximise business potential, is aimed at ambitious creatives who are ready to flourish in one of Scotland’s fastest growing sectors
Jud Pollock, a ceramicist and the creative behind Tea with Jud, joined the accelerator in Spring 2019 and has since brewed an idea to encourage creative thinking across the wide web.
Connecting with Australian potter and sculptor, Renae Pennicuik - via social media platform Instagram, the duo launched an online teapot challenge on 1st May this year.
The idea behind the project is to encourage creative thinking, improve technical skills and spread passion for pottery in the hope that others will be inspired. Revealing the teapot designs on the first of each month, both Jud and Renae will upload their designs with a brief description about the teapot and the theme behind the design, which take inspiration from cultural roots.
Boosted with the support of FGIC 12-week Accelerator powered by Elevator, Jud has been working to take her business to the next level. After running Tea with Jud successfully for four years, Jud hopes to expand further opening a tea and coffee shop in the near future.
Jud said: “The idea was born out of ‘Meet the Maker’ – a challenge designed for creatives to share the stories behind their businesses and themselves. When I explained that my most difficult challenge was to make the teapot, the conversation turned to the Teapot Challenge. We wanted to not only create something to encourage individuals to come up with a new design, but fundamentally to help improve their confidence and creative skills.
“The six-month project, which will end 1st October, aims to creative a community feel across Instagram, so far I have connected with people from Northern Ireland to Australia. It would be great to invite everyone across the world to come for a cup of tea with me at my workshop in Blairgowrie (pictured below).
“My journey has been made easier with the influential support from the FGIC Accelerator powered by Elevator. It has been great to develop my business vision in a group of creative people and have access to practical advice from experts in their specialist fields. Our upcoming showcase on the 22nd May will mark a pivotal point in our entrepreneurial journey, and a celebration as our time on the accelerator comes to an end.”
Are you ready to launch your creative idea into something more? Whether you’re looking to start or grow your creative business, this accelerator is for you. Applications for the next cohort open on 17th June, to find out more or apply email lynne@elevatoruk.com.
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