Please respond to the discussion prompt below. Your initial post should be in the 100- to 150-word range and be supported by evidence.

Topic: The Unsustainable Business

Scenario: I had this great idea to create kiln-fired pottery dishware and sell it online, allowing customers to choose the style and glazes and any patterns they wanted. My Pottery Farm started out with just me. Within 6 months, it began to boom as newlyweds especially loved the idea of being able to create their own dishware. I hired another potter and provided 3-day shipping at cost and advertised on bridal sites. After the first year, I was swamped with orders and had to hire another potter friend to come in and help along with my son to manage the website and process orders. By the end of year two, I had an accountant, and I began to worry as several imitators came into the market and our sales started to plummet. I would hire a consultant to help me, but I cannot afford it. Any suggestions?

• Discuss what the founder did right and what you think went wrong.
• What happened to her market and why?
• What could she do to protect her product?
• What else could she do to mitigate the damage and downslide of the business?