For Rachelle Mascini, art has always been a passion. A talented ceramic artist from Wagga Wagga with exhibitions across Australia and Europe, she had dedicated herself to her craft, but turning it into a thriving business was never part of the plan, until an unexpected change pushed her to take the leap.
In December 2023, Rachelle was made redundant from her job in the disability sector. A friend suggested she take over their ceramics workshops, and with that, the idea of North Shore Studios was born. Unsure where to start, Rachelle reached out to Many Rivers, a not-for-profit organisation providing business support and microfinance. They introduced her to the Self-Employment Assistance program. She applied through Workforce Australia, and was soon connected with VERTO’s Self-Employment Assistance Facilitator, Nathaniel Dalgleish.
With her website already up and running, Nathaniel helped fine-tune its structure to improve user usability experience. But the real game-changer? Mastering social media marketing.
“Nathaniel showed me the best ways to use social media for my business. It was a huge help in reaching more people and filling my classes,” Rachelle said.
Alongside business cards, flyers, and marketing strategies, Rachelle’s improved social media presence led to a phenomenal increase in attendance—her workshops tripled, if not quadrupled, in demand. One of her most successful offerings, ‘Pottery & Pints’, is now a Wagga Wagga favourite, making up nearly half of her business revenue.
“It’s been a privilege to coach Rachelle in the Self-Employment Assistance Program, help where I can, and see how she’s applied her creativity and ceramics skills to build a successful business for herself,” Nathaniel said.
With her business thriving, Rachelle is already planning for the future. She hopes to expand her offerings with long-term (3-4 week) beginner programs and full-day ceramic workshops, where participants can immerse themselves in larger projects and styles like Breakfast Sets, Vases, and Wall Pieces, refining their skills in a fun, hands-on environment.
“VERTO gave me the confidence to take my business to the next level,” she said.
For more information about the Self-Employment Assistance program, contact VERTO on 1300 483 786 or visit: www.verto.org.au/our-services/self-employment-assistance.
For more information about North Shore Studio, visit https://northshorestudios.com.au/
