Meet Rose Le Veque | Potter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rose Le Veque and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rose, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m lucky enough to be a third-generation potter, but I didn’t always want to be a potter. I actually was a medical biller and coder and like most jobs like this, it involved sitting behind a cubical and getting yelled at if you spoke during an 8 hour period. I worked at a place that you weren’t allowed to get up from your cubical or else you would get written up, including restroom breaks. I eventually lost my mind after working there for so long and got into my car and called my mother crying that I hated my life. She asked me if I wanted to come to Montana for a year and train with my family in pottery. To do this though I had to split up my family for a year – which was the hardest decision of my life. But I took it and left for a year, trained in Montana, came back to Arizona with an entire new life and I had to hustle more than ever to build a complete start up business.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a potter. I usually make functional pottery, mugs, tumblers, platters, etc. but I also make non functional pieces as well. My pottery that I’m most proud of depends on the day because I’m always making new things, but right now I am making the most gorgeous charcuterie boards with real gold lining the rim! I defiantly won’t say that getting here was easy. I work way more than I ever have before because working for yourself means that you really have to put in the effort or else you wont make any money. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is to never give up. Everyday has its own challenges, but if you keep pushing, even when you don’t want to anymore, you will grow and one day you won’t have to push as hard. The main thing I like to share with people is that there is so much joy in doing what you love. It changes you for the better. If you love what you do people around you are happy to be around you because you are a happier person. Building a happy, strong community is so important.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Right now, I’m currently obsessed with mythical coffee in Gilbert Arizona. I also am just a huge fan of downtown Gilbert, AZ. The vibe is amazing and your surrounded with local art and amazing food.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would dedicate my shoutout to three people. First off, Joseph Powell – My partner in crime. This wouldn’t have been possible if he didn’t support me 100%. He believed that this was possible and to this day helps me build my pottery business to become even better. Second off, my mom, Lena LeVeque. She is the one who took me and my daughter in her home for an entire year in Montana, trained me, helped me and supported me every day. She let me be apart of her art shows and showed me everything I possibly could have learned to become an amazing potter. And last but not least, my grandfather, the one who started it all at Great Falls Pottery Co. He allowed me to be involved in his studio and helped me so much with all my start up inventory. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without these three.

Website: https://roselevequepottery.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roselevequepottery/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roseLeVequepottery

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeV-MitzkmwTDONgzZLlQtA