From a huge work table in the basement of his downtown Grand Ledge business,
Piece of Mine Pottery Studio, 27-year-old Jerren Osmar is more than happy to talk about how he wound up in the pottery business.
Born just up the road in Waucousta, Mich., Osmar spending three years as a political theory major at
Michigan State University (MSU). He took some time off to pursue his political passions, but says, "The election cycle created an employment situation that was too full of highs and lows, so I decided to go into business for myself.”
The original plan was to start a beer delivery business in the Lansing/East Lansing area. Osmar had gone as far as doing the legal research on a business that would deliver beer right to a person’s house.
Then he heard about a woman trying to sell her paint-your-own-pottery business back in Grand Ledge. “My wife had worked part-time at the studio in the past," he says. "It just felt right.”
Fittingly, Osmar re-opened the studio on election day three years ago.
Community and PeopleOsmar got started by donating generously to the community and being open to new ideas.
“When we took over the studio we didn’t change many of the policies, but we did change the attitude of the store. We really put the emphasis on customer service," he says. “Our philosophy is that no one leaves unhappy. If someone’s entire piece messes up in the kiln, we’ll redo it for no charge.”
If a customer wants to try something new, Osmar is open. “We had a woman come in one day trying to re-do a lamp her grandmother had given her. What she wanted to do required re-thinking our processing. We said 'What the heck, let’s give it a try.'”
Osmar’s business attitude is also focused on giving back to the community.
“Whether it’s donating gift certificates, packages or in-kind, giving things away builds goodwill and builds a customer base,” he says.
Osmar has a real soft spot for non-profits and small local community groups and goes out of his way to help them with fund raising. He has given gift certificates and pottery items to churches, private schools, and veterans’ associations for prizes and auctions. “We’ve even done some recent fund raising for a person with a chronic illness and another family with no insurance.”
It’s that kind of commitment to community and personal service that has his customers coming back for more.
“Big corporations are always looking for following. We already have one here,” he smiles. “I really haven’t run a business in good economic times. I just know that you have to be willing to work at least 20/7 at it.”
Grassroots Grand LedgeBut it’s not just his can-do spirit that keeps this out-of-the-box thinker inspired. Osmar is also tuned into and supportive of what he calls Grand Ledge’s Sleeper Grassroots Network. This group of 19 – 20-ish year old locals has created a series of events that has energized the city.
“They’ve put together a Rocky Horror Picture Show night at the local
Sun Theater. They do all other kinds of theater. They’ve had a kids Disney Movie night, complete with costumes. One of their most successful events was a Pink Floyd Tribute Band night.”
Osmar sees himself as part of the financial piece of the Network, not the visionary. But some of his recent activities suggest otherwise. Piece of Mine has become a venue for whatever the community needs.
“We’ve got all this space," he says "I say, 'Let’s fill it.'” And has—with open mic nights, game nights, fundraisers, office parties, wedding receptions and even a funeral wake.
“I’m hyper-local," he says. "Nothing else really works. Whatever the community wants, we try to provide it.”
Osmar recently bought a scrapbooking store “because there was no other one in town.” It's now housed in the rear portion of one of the two massive rooms that make up the Piece of Mine Studio.
Innovation Town“I wanted to be a part of a community where I knew everyone,” says Osmar, who lives right down the street from the studio in Grand Ledge. “It’s great knowing who you can go to bat for, and who will go to bat for you. It feels like a big family.”
Osmar is also quick to point out that he is not the only person in town who is focused on innovation.
“You really should talk with Chuck Pantera,” Osmar says. Pantera is the owner of the Sun Theater a few doors down from Osmar’s place. “He’s had lots of cool events at the theater, including a
Grand Ledge Film Festival. He’s really open and receptive to new ideas.”
There’s also Tom Wright, a local glass blower who has rented space in Osmar’s studio. Wright’s torch can often be seen lighting up the front of the store as he creates everything from jewelry to art objects. “See that crack,” Osmar says sheepishly, pointing to the large window looking out onto downtown. “Well, Tom did that when his torch got too close to the window.”
“Tom’s also a world-class skateboarder and is really into the sustainable movement. He brings a lot to the community.”
Osmar also nurtures other area artists by displaying their work. The brick walls of his studio are full of local pieces.
The turn of the century building also features the original wood floor, two antique chandeliers and 25 worktables where customers can do their thing.
What’s on tap for the future? Osmar hinted at possibly buying the contents of another scrapbooking store. “It’s an easy way to expand your business in this tough economy.”
And what about the future of the small town that he calls quirky, interesting, artsy and home?
“Grand Ledge has an illustrious history,” Osmar said proudly. Renowned for its health spas, hotels and river steamers, Grand Ledge use to be a real tourist destination. “We even had a roller coaster that spanned two of the islands.”
The roller coaster is gone, but the natural beauty of the area is not. “No one else has
the Ledges,” said Osmar. “Even rock climbers in Arkansas know about the Ledges.”
“There’s a real sense of community pride here, too,” he adds. “Every fifth person you see on the street has Grand Ledge emblazoned on their shirt. We haven’t turned the corner yet, but there’s a promising new spirit that’s rising up here.”
That spirit is lighting the way for the Capital region, and Jerren Osmar is front and center.
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Viki Lorraine is a public health consultant by day and a writer by night.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Jerren Osmar in downtown Grand Ledge, and in his pottery and scrapbooking businesses.
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie