This week in our ongoing Meet the Maker series, we’re getting to know Raphaël Schaltegger, who is the creative force behind the gorgeous Paris-based jewelry line Goutte de Terre.
LBC: What inspired you to take the leap as an entrepreneur?
Raphaël: I’ve traveled for 12 years making music and jewelry so it was natural once I “settled” to work for myself. I wanted to continue making a living from what I do with my hands.
LBC: How would you describe what you create?
Raphaël: I create modern and minimalist porcelain jewelry and sculptures, one-of-a-kind pieces with metallic accents of some kind such as gold, bronze and silver. I make each piece individually with great love.
LBC: When you first got started, how did you envision your business would be defined?
Raphaël: I imagined a business that supports not only other makers-artists but also the planet. Goutte de terre is a brand and an association aiming to help non-profit organizations related to water acess, so I wanted my business to benefit to others, not only me. I wanted it to be a place where you can meet the maker and see him “in action”, where you know your purchase supports a real project.
LBC: Where can we find your products?
Raphaël: You can find my products on my Goutte de Terre Etsy shop, in my brick and mortar shop-gallery in Paris (4 rue Basfroi, 75011) in a variety of shops and at pop-up markets in and around Paris.
LBC: Walk us through a typical work day.
Raphaël: First things first: Playing music! Right after the internet starts up, I browse my emails, answer some of them, then it is either a photoshoot (if it is a beautiful sunny day, you know in Paris that’s not the case every day) or social media. Of course I spend part of my day in my workshop. I have to wait between processes to finish one piece, since it has to dry to go on to the next step, until I have enough pieces to fill out and oven. Since I have a brick and mortar shop I also take care of my customers. I advise them as to what piece to choose. I really like talking to people, making them feel comfortable, making them feel special and I also love to make them laugh.
LBC: What are the some things makers should think through when they initially decide to start a business?
Raphaël: Do you really love what you do? Do you really believe in your product? Are you ready to fail? Are you ready to learn from your failure? Are you ready to start all over again?
LBC: When you’re overwhelmed, what brings you back to focus?
Raphaël: My music!!! I just take my guitar (I improvised a music studio in the bottom floor of my shop) and play and sing until I feel I can go back to what I was doing … or until the neighbors complain 😉
LBC: Tell us about a few of the best business decisions you’ve made to date.
Raphaël: Re-opening my gallery (my first place was demolished), this time with my partner in life, my wife who is more “business minded” and pushed me to focused only on one thing at a time (I would be painting, taking photos, making sculptures, concerts, exhibitions, jewelry!). I’ve just focused – for the moment – on porcelain jewelry. Now I have more time to create.
LBC: Please share one mistake or obstacle from your business experience.
Raphaël: Trying to do different disciplines at once. I learned that taking my time and doing things one-a-time always gives better results.
LBC: Is there a cause or a particular organization that you contribute to that you’re particularly passionate about?
Raphaël: As mentioned above, Goutte de Terre is not only a brand but also an association who helps finance NGO’s working on access to drinkable water in India, such as Kynarou. This gives my business a sense to what I do and why I do it. I am happy to wake up every day and go to work, that’s the best reward!
LBC: What are 3 essential resources in your business toolbox you can’t do without?
Raphaël: My oven, the internet and my DSLR camera!
LBC: Suppose we had a time machine. If we blasted ourselves forward a few years, where would we see your company?
Raphaël: My shop has two workshops, one for my wife’s work and one for my ceramics, so it is a very tiny space – I make miracles with my space! I would love to have a bigger atelier and expand my porcelain line into bigger pieces such as tablewear, sculptures, lighting and musical instrument. Why not open another “Goutte de Terre” in another part of France or the world? My wife is Mexican and moving for a while to Mexico is a long time project …soon to come true.
LBC: Your music play list is full of …
Raphaël: Bossa Nova!
LBC: What’s the one thing you would eat, if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?
Raphaël: Chocolate
LBC: Tell me about a few of the places on your travel “bucket list”?
Raphaël: Japan, Birmany, and New Zealand.
Thank you, Raphaël, for sharing your fabulous and unique talent with us! We absolutely love your line and we look forward to all the wonderful things ahead for Goutte de Terre. We’re cheering you on!
Connect with Raphaël and Goutte de Terre all around the web:
Company Website
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
Want to see your brand featured in our continuing “Meet the Maker Monday” series? Drop us a line: hello AT luckybreakconsulting.com. Please use “MEET THE MAKER” as the subject line and be certain to include your web address. We look forward to hearing from you!
What beautiful work! So cool to be acquainted with a company on the other side of the globe.