Meet Niikah Hatfield | Ceramic Artist & Authentic Living Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Niikah Hatfield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Niikah, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Cultivating a work/life balance is something that has slowly developed and changed for me over the years. When I started Niik Creative Co., and even prior to that while still in school, I would dedicate every inch of my time to the next thing on my never-ending to-do list.

As I sank into business ownership for a longer period of time, I realized that my idea of success was shifting from just completing the next thing to feeling GOOD as I showed up to complete my tasks each day.

I think cultivating balance is a continual practice, and one that I am still working on, but it has completely changed the way I show up to my business and the rest of my life. Balance and success currently means that I’m able to succeed in my business ventures through dedication, continued learning and hard work, but that I am also feeling fulfilled and a sense of thriving in the process.

While my business ultimately feeds me, I am now the first priority in my work. If I’m not thriving, then my business isn’t thriving and vice versa. Taking the time to take care of myself and set aside the entrepreneurial hat means that I can show up each day feeling refreshed and inspired to take on the next project.

What should our readers know about your business?
Niik Creative Co. is a small, woman-run business that is dedicated providing handcrafted, artisan ceramics for inspired & conscious living. My work is about more than just the ceramics – it’s about building connections to the community, slowing down to enjoy the small moments of life, and creating a sustainable way of life that supports the ethos of empowering artists and makers within a community setting.

Running a business that is dedicated to the well-being and empowerment of it’s employees, clients, and the external community isn’t the easiest way to go, but the richness and depth of the process makes it incredibly more fulfilling than just focusing on product placement.

Following the vision for a deeply integrated and nourishing business has been challenging, but has also created a space for meaningful connections and conversations along the way. A big part of the process for me has been being willing to overcome my fear of being seen and to step into the vulnerability of wanting to create a business that is a part of building change in the world.

One of the biggest things I’ve learned on the journey is to keep believing in myself, to be willing to fail and be humbled, but to never step back from the vision I want to create. I think successful business takes a lot more time than the world makes us want to believe, but remembering that each step in the process is actually laying the foundation for the future is part of showing up to being an entrepreneur.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Marquette, Michigan is a quaint little city up along the shores of Lake Superior, filled with amazing hikes and waterfalls, places to swim and camp, and incredible little boutiques and establishments to visit. A trip would definitely include a day out at Wetmore, which is a magical strip of coastline with mossy hikes and places to sit on the beach in private little alcoves. There’s also a handful of local craft breweries that have live music in the evenings, the classy Zephyr Wine Bar, and good eats from local restaurants like the Delft and Cafe Bodega. A trip wouldn’t be complete without an adventure around Presque Isle Park and a visit to the Downtown Marquette Farmer’s Market on Saturday morning.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh gosh,,, there are so many people who have helped me on my journey. I think some of the most influential work has been with my accountant, Mary Luttinen, CPA, and with Nicole Putvin from the SBDC. These are mentors who have continued to cheer me on and help me with the granular bits of business.

Website: www.niikcreative.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/niik.creative

Facebook: www.facebook.com/niikcreative

Image Credits
Emilee Covers