Conversations with Sophia Ha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophia Ha.

Sophia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I graduated, I landed a great engineering position with a large, well-known, reputable firm, The kind of stable career any parent would be proud of. However, deep down, I always felt the need to explore something more creative and not be stuck in the same routine every day. That is what led me to sign up for my first pottery class.

The moment I took that class, I fell in love with ceramics. I was amazed by how many things you could create with clay, and discovering glazes made me love it even more. I kept experimenting and exploring the kinds of pieces I wanted to make.

In the back of my mind, I had always dreamed of starting my own business, but I was scared of disappointing my mom. I grew up wanting to make her proud. She came to this country as a refugee from a war-stricken place and worked incredibly hard as a single mother to provide for our family. Because of that, I initially chose engineering because I wanted to help break the cycle of poverty and build a stable future.

But while I was working in engineering, I started feeling exhausted and disconnected from myself. Even though I smiled on the outside, I felt deeply unhappy and lost. My boyfriend at the time, now my husband, saw how much I was struggling and encouraged me to take a leap and pursue what truly made me happy.

So I did.

Today, I create Japanese-inspired ceramic pieces that reflect my love for nature, earthy tones, and organic forms. Ceramics became more than just a hobby for me. It became a way to reconnect with myself and create something meaningful with my hands.

And that is how Sojha Studio began.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think one of the biggest struggles was starting a business with absolutely no business experience. When you run a small business, especially as an artist, you become everything at once. You are the photographer, marketing team, finance person, editior, and boss. Learning how to juggle all of those roles was overwhelming at times.

In the beginning, I also struggled a lot with imposter syndrome. I constantly compared myself to other artists and questioned whether my work was good enough or if people would even connect with it. I always found something to criticize about my own work, which made it hard to fully believe in myself early on.

Another challenge was, that I did not have my own kiln, so I had to rely on others to fire my work. That slowed production down a lot because everything depended on someone else’s schedule and timing.

More recently, I went through a health scare that forced me to stop production for a while and focus on recovery. I do not talk about it much because I never wanted it to define me or become something I relied on for sympathy. But that experience really changed my perspective. It reminded me how short and unpredictable life can be, and how important it is to spend your time doing something meaningful.

After recovering, I came back with a stronger drive to create. Working from home had started to feel isolating, and I realized I needed a dedicated studio space to feel inspired again. Getting my own studio ended up being one of the best decisions I have made for both my creativity and myself.
I think the biggest thing I learned through all of this is that if you put your heart into your work and truly believe in yourself, amazing things can happen.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a ceramic artist who specializes in wabi-sabi inspired pieces. I’m deeply drawn to texture, rustic forms, and the beauty of imperfection. A lot of my glaze inspiration comes from nature, especially earthy tones, raw surfaces, and organic movement.

What I love most about ceramics is that no piece comes out perfectly perfect, and I think that’s what gives handmade work its authenticity. The small irregularities and organic forms are what make each piece feel alive. Instead of trying to control every detail, I like to let the process naturally shape the final piece and appreciate it for what it becomes.

I want my work to have a calming presence to it. Something quiet, warm, and honest. I think what sets my work apart is less about perfection and more about feeling. The textures, weight, and imperfections are intentional parts of the experience. I want my pieces to feel natural and comforting in a way that people can immediately sense when they see or hold them. Deep down, I just want my pieces to feel honest and personal.

Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories are probably family gatherings. I always loved seeing everyone together and having fun. I still remember the smell of Khmer BBQ outside, the older relatives laughing around the grill, and all of us kids inside playing board games together. There was something really comforting about being surrounded by family like that. The closeness and warmth of those moments made them feel special to me.

Pricing:

• 95-120
• Pricing varies depending on the piece

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sojhastudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sojha_studio/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Sojha-Studios-61567117464475/