According to a recent survey, women have powered the post-pandemic small business boom, with the share of women entrepreneurs nearly doubling from 2019 to 2021. Robin Wheeler, Owner of Wheel of Light Studio, is one of those women.

Wheeler said starting her business during that time had its challenges.

"Figuring out the best loan processes to apply for, sorting through all the information out there, dealing with the supply chain issues; it's been interesting. I really picked an interesting time to try to launch this business," Wheeler said.

However, she thought that it was important to start her pottery business to spread the importance of creativity and diverse entrepreneurship.

Wheelers' studio offers classes for people with all levels of skill with art forms like pottery, painting, macramé, wood, burning, silk painting and resin trays. She described her studio as a place to play, where people can make cups, bowls, plates, decorations, wall ornaments, lamps, picture frames, tiles for walls, Christmas decorations, plant holders, wind chimes and more.

"I hear so many people say they don't have an artistic bone in their body and yet they are creative in wonderful ways, but somewhere along the line they were made to feel that they weren't artistic," Wheeler said. "I also think that creativity is the spark for problem solving, ingenuity and invention. And if the creative thought processes aren't encouraged at an early age, then you lose a part of yourself. So, I think everybody needs to be encouraged to explore their creativity."

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