This is Charlotte's story:

“I graduated from BA Ceramics in 2017, then in 2019 founded Charlotte Manser Ceramics - a business making and selling functional pottery.

"Being part of an art school is a completely different university experience. It’s like you have a second home. Everyone is there to support, challenge and help you progress. The content of the lectures is so vast, from more practical, business aspects of learning, to the philosophical challenges of art and the world. 

"At university I wanted to become a teacher but after two years as a teaching intern I decided to set up a business instead. Whilst I didn’t take the most business-based route in my education, I still learnt a lot about making work to sell.

"It’s so important to make the most of the support and guidance you get when studying. There’s plenty of support available for when you leave university. I received funding from the Centre of Entrepreneurship once I graduated as a business start-up. This funding allowed me to buy important equipment to start my business.

"Over the last 3 years I have worked to build my business which now has a six-figure turnover, four team members, and is sold across the world.

"A very exciting recent thing is a collaboration with John Legend! Organised by Etsy, John Legend selected 11 Etsy shops that are women, black or minority owned to create a summer and winter interior collaboration with. I was the only seller selected in the UK and since the collaboration launched my sales have doubled.

"I have also returned to Cardiff Met to share my experience with current CSAD Ceramics students about life since graduating and some guidance around setting up a business. I want to maintain a relationship with Cardiff Met students and hopefully provide a place to take on a student every year as a new member of my team. I want to show students that you can make a living doing something you enjoy."

"My biggest piece of advice for people coming to university is to challenge yourself and make the most of every opportunity. Find a course you love and you’ll always be motivated and inspired."