We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
I feel like Glazed helps the community in several different ways. We are definitely a great place for friends or family to meet up. It’s also a cool opportunity to bond over something they either have in common, like a love for art or on the other side of that, something out of their comfort zone. We offer team bonding events, work parties, and birthday parties as well. Painting is definitely a stress reliever and I think it’s a great way to do something different while catching up with a friend.

I also do many fundraisers with local schools and churches which I believe to be a win-win! They help support local small business and I, in turn, can help them raise money for their school or program.
Many of the fundraisers consist of me hand printing or fingerprinting kids, and making cute ornaments or mugs with their prints. I know how special these little memories are for the parents, and it’s one of my favorite traditions! It also makes my heart happy to help make gifts for my customers, like birthday plates, personalized pottery and pet portraits!
I love to help people create something beautiful that can be appreciated for many years to come.

I think it is also helpful to have a place where anyone can go and tap into their creativity!

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Glazed is a paint your own pottery studio. We offer walk-in painters, as well as scheduled groups, parties and events. We also offer canvas painting and glass fusing. Glazed opened in 2008 under a previous owner. I took over ownership going on 6 years ago.

The journey to becoming a business owner was definitely not an easy one. I believe God definitely had a plan for me and put all the pieces of the puzzle in front of me at the perfect time. I started painting as a way to do something different and relax at a time when I was an athlete suffering from chronic migraines. I never thought it would become my career.

When I moved to South Carolina, I started working for the previous owner of Glazed. I absolutely fell in love with it! When she decided she wanted to sell the business, I was a little torn. I knew it was something I wanted to do, but having no real business experience, I was nervous. I made a business plan and with the help and support of my husband and family, we figured out a plan to make it happen! It took a lot of blessings and hard work but here we are, going on 6 years!

I’ve learned so much about ceramics, business and the importance of art in people’s lives. One of my favorite lessons learned, is how important being a kind and caring business owner is to the people who walk through the door. I absolutely love getting to be a part of people’s lives while they make memories at my shop. Helping to create lasting memories through pottery, seeing people enjoy time with their loved ones, watching the kids come back year after year, seeing them grow up and getting to talk to people from all walks of life are just a few ways in how this job fulfills me.

Creating art and having an outlet for that as a job is so important to me but the relationships and memories created are just as important.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are so many cool places to visit in the area! If you’re visiting Clemson, you should definitely take a walk around the University. As far as food, you can’t go wrong with Evolve or Walk-Ons downtown. My best friend has a coffee shop, The Drip Clemson a couple shops down from me and not only do they have coffee, but some amazing donuts/desserts! The botanical gardens are beautiful too! I always take visitors to Seneca, Greenville and Anderson as well. There are so many great places to eat and fun hang out spots.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ashley Spence from Lovely Lucy Photography

Website: www.glazedclemson.com

Instagram: @glazed.clemson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Glazed.clemson?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSouthCarolina is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.