Daily Inspiration: Meet Julia Ducayet

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Ducayet.

Hi Julia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Honestly, it was grief & heartbreak that first brought me to clay. I needed an outlet for the pain I was feeling—something beyond my typical go-tos of running or working out. Clay gave me that space. Through it, I found healing. I let go of the need for perfection, reconnected with my creativity, and slowly began to rediscover myself. Pottery helped me realize I was enough, just as I was.

That journey is what inspired me to create Ceramic Souls. I wanted to build a space where others could experience that same kind of peace—a space to explore creativity on your own terms, to grow within a supportive community, and to find joy and belonging no matter who you are.

Before all this, I spent over 25 years in corporate America—leading teams in sales, marketing, and customer experience. I had incredible mentors (and a few tough ones) who taught me how to run a business and navigate complexity. I’m deeply grateful for that chapter, but eventually, I started to feel disconnected. The work was meaningful, but something essential was missing—nothing truly sparked my soul.

That’s when I began asking the hard questions: Who am I? What do I truly value? How do I want the rest of my life to unfold?

The journey hasn’t been easy—it’s been humbling, challenging, and deeply rewarding. But for the first time, I feel aligned with my purpose. My hope is that Ceramic Souls becomes a place where others can find that same clarity and joy. A place where creativity meets connection, and where we can all thrive—not just as artists, but as people.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Like any journey rooted in healing and self-reflection, there have been plenty of ups and downs. One of the hardest parts was admitting that I no longer wanted to stay in the corporate world. After more than two decades, it was familiar. It was safe. There were salaries, health benefits, systems, and teams of people who knew how to do things I didn’t. Walking away meant giving all of that up—and letting go of an identity I’d clung to for years.

As a small business owner, it’s just me now. If something needs to get done, I either figure out how to do it or teach myself until I can. I’ve had to wear every hat imaginable—marketer, plumber, web designer, bookkeeper, kiln technician, you name it. It’s been humbling. And exhausting. And empowering.

One of my biggest personal challenges has been learning to release control. I’m a driver by nature—I like to move things forward, quickly. But now I often have to wait on contractors, city permits, or trust someone else to get something done. It’s not easy. A wise employee recently reminded me of the “triangle of control”—focus on what’s inside it, and don’t lose sleep over what’s not. That small piece of wisdom has helped more than I ever expected.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I returned to pottery a few years ago—not as a master potter, but as an artist deeply curious about the process. I love to fail, learn, and fail again. That cycle has become part of my creative rhythm, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Primarily self-taught, I focus on hand-built forms that serve both functional and decorative purposes. My work embraces imperfection. In fact, I’ve removed the word perfect from my vocabulary entirely—it simply doesn’t exist in my world. Instead, I find inspiration in simplicity, fluidity, and the quiet beauty of organic shapes. My intention is to create pieces that feel calm, grounded, and a little bit soulful.

As the founder of Ceramic Souls, I’m equally passionate about building a community around clay—one that is welcoming, inclusive, and deeply human. Pottery can sometimes feel exclusive or overly rigid, like there’s only one “right” way to do things. I’m working hard to build the opposite: a space where people feel invited to explore, experiment, and grow—regardless of background or experience.

What sets me apart is that I hold space for both: the creative process as a personal journey, and the studio as a collective one. Through my art and this community, I want people to feel free, connected, and supported as they find their own way with clay.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Oh wow, lots of them. I am very focused on the mind/body connection, so learning as much as I can about how both work is a theme through my reading and listening. A few that stand out, include:

Books:
– Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck
– Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
– The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Podcasts:
– Huberman Lab
– Rich Roll
– On Purpose
– Dare to Lead

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ceramicsouls.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ceramic_souls/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565522083785
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CeramicSouls