# Afterschool Podcast, Episode 7 - Catherine Bailey (10/1)

- Show: [Core77 Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast)
- Published: 2013-11-05
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/corejr/afterschool-podcast-episode-7

## Summary

Catherine Bailey, co-owner and Creative Director of Heath Ceramics, explains her transition from industrial design at Nike and her own consultancy to acquiring and turning around the historic American ceramic manufacturer. She details the challenges of the early years, including managing factory disasters like floods and unreliable equipment, while leveraging the company's deep heritage of craft and mid-century modern design. Bailey describes how Heath balances preserving its classic dinnerware legacy with innovative seasonal collections and new product lines like tile, supported by a hands-on design studio that prioritizes working directly with clay over CAD models. The episode covers the company's strategic expansion from Sausalito to Los Angeles and a new San Francisco facility, emphasizing careful pacing to maintain quality and culture while scaling production.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=0) Introduction: Catherine Bailey and Heath Ceramics
- [1:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=62) Bailey's Early Career: Syracuse, Nike, and One in Co
- [7:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=424) The History of Heath Ceramics and Edith Heath
- [11:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=689) Acquiring Heath: From Dusty Shop to Business Plan
- [20:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=1247) Early Challenges: Floods, Equipment, and Factory Operations
- [28:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=1686) Design Process: Clay Studio, Glazes, and Materiality
- [34:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=2041) Collaborations and Brand Partnerships (House Industries)
- [41:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=2482) Balancing Heritage with Seasonal Collections and Growth
- [44:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-05-afterschool-podcast-episode-7-catherine-bailey-10-1#t=2687) Expansion: LA, San Francisco, and Future Vision

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Heath Ceramics (company)
- Nike (company)
- One in Co (company)
- Syracuse University (other)
- Carnegie Mellon (other)
- Edith Heath (other)
- Museum of Modern Art (other)
- House Industries (company)
- Thorsen 10 (company)
- Marimekko (company)

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- [036: Helping Wildlife & Developing Ceramic Products with Gavin Christman of Green&Blue](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-01-17-036-helping-wildlife-developing-ceramic-products-with-gavin-christman-of-green-b) (Product Startup)
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## Citing this page

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