Meet Lisa Arslaner | Scientist & Maker and Owner of Knots & Pots Goods, LLC

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

Hi Lisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own handmade retail business was one of those things that I always wanted to do but didn’t think I actually could do. Ever since I can remember I was always a very creative person. I explored different media and artforms from painting to sewing, knitting, and photography. In 2019, right before the pandemic, I had become interested in powertools and fixing up my rental townhouse with some renter friendly DIY projects on my knots.and.pots.home instagram page. I had gained a following and used that as my creative outlet while spending a lot of time in our rental home and just wanting to make it look nice. During that time I often got asked if I would start selling my macramé and wood creations. I wanted to but it just seemed so difficult and daunting at first but I did it anyway (with a lot of research) and the rest is history. I now still work full time as a scientist but I also work on Knots & Pots Goods most nights and weekends. I love being able to be a critical thinker as a scientist and explore my more artistic, entrepreneurial side as a small handmade business owner as well. I have already learned and gained so much from this experience. It brings me a lot of joy to be able to sell my handmade goods to help support my family, it’s very fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started Knots & Pots Goods in 2022 because I love to handcraft items. It has been a very fulfilling part of my life. A major challenge has been balancing my small business with my full time job, that balance is something that I am still working on. A small business is definitely a constant work in progress and that’s what I love so much about it. My business is my passion project, it is meant to bring me and my customers joy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite places to take visitors in the Charleston area are Botany Bay, Cypress Gardens, downtown Charleston south of Broad Street, Colonial Dorchester, Charles Towne Landing, and Caw Caw. We love to grab a bite to eat or a coffee and Harken, Harbinger, Prophet Coffee, EVO Bakery, or Mercantile & Mash while we’re out exploring. Charleston is also a fantastic place to do some vintage, plant, and local shopping at locations like Local Love CHS, the Station Park Circle, Meeting Green, Southern Ruetz Maker Mall, SE Rare Plant Market, and Picker’s Hullabaloo to name a few!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my parents and my husband. Their support, love, and encouragement has been essential to the success of my small business and everything else I have accomplished. I truly would not be where I am now without my parents’ courage to immigrate to the USA and change my perspective on life and its possibilities.

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KnotsPotsGoods

Instagram: @knots.and.pots.goods

Image Credits
Patricia Ploehn (personal photo)