Emily Roberts

About Emily Roberts

After nearly 20 years in the nonwoven textiles industry, Emily made a bold pivot—stepping away from a successful career in manufacturing, marketing, and sales to pursue her long-standing passion for pottery and community building. Her journey in nonwovens began with an overseas internship straight out of college, followed by a Master’s Degree in Nonwoven Science & Technology from NC State. Over the next two decades, she worked with manufacturers around the globe and spent more than 10 years growing NuTex Concepts’ national presence in the bedding and furniture markets. Her work focused on supplying specialty nonwoven fabrics—including dust covers, flange, and quilt backing—through a network of seven distribution centers across the U.S. In 2024, Emily launched The Pottery Lot in Boone, NC—a community pottery studio, curated gallery, and regional supply store housed in a beautifully restored historic building. Her mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive space where people of all ages and skill levels can explore clay as both a craft and a means of connection. As owner and founder, Emily wears many hats: • Studio Director, overseeing a full calendar of classes, workshops, camps, and private events • Gallery Curator, supporting and showcasing the work of over 40 local potters while honoring the rich ceramic traditions of Western North Carolina • Small Business Leader, managing daily operations, staffing, outreach, and partnerships • Supply Advocate, operating a regional clay and glaze supply store that serves local potters, art teachers, schools, and studios What began as a personal creative pursuit has grown into a vibrant community resource. The Pottery Lot now serves as a hub for creative expression, local commerce, and connection—filling a long-missing gap in the High Country by offering both a place to play with clay and a platform for artists to thrive.

Experience

1. Owner

   The Pottery Lot

   Aug 2024 — Present · Boone, NC, US

   Owner | The Pottery Lot – Boone, NCCommunity Pottery Studio | Gallery | Supply StoreAs the founder and owner of The Pottery Lot, I’m passionate about building creative community through clay. Located just outside Boone, NC, The Pottery Lot is a welcoming space where people of all ages and experience levels can explore pottery through hands-on classes, camps, and workshops.Our curated gallery showcases the work of over 40 local potters, celebrating the artistic talent and deep ceramic heritage of Western North Carolina.We also operate a growing pottery supply store, created to serve local potters, schools, and regional studios with easier access to quality clay, glazes, and tools—supporting the craft at every level.At its heart, The Pottery Lot is more than a studio—it’s a place to create, connect, and honor the rich traditions of working with clay in our community.

Education

• The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  BA, American History & Political Science

  2001 — 2004

• North Carolina State University

  MS, Textile Management & Technology

  2005 — 2007

Skills

• Strategy
• Marketing Communications
• Strategic Planning
• Sales
• Marketing
• Product Development
• Sales Management
• Market Development
• Polymers
• Filtration
• New Business Development
• Management
• Business Development
• Nonwovens
• Coatings
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Extrusion
• Manufacturing
• Product Marketing
• Six Sigma
• Negotiation
• Market Analysis