With a space formerly a nail salon and a fast 4-month turnaround, Kristen Gilbert had to move quickly to open her business: Speckled Turtle. From moving in equipment, gathering supplies and getting a city permit, the process was long but ultimately worth it.

Speckled Turtle is a pottery studio and boutique in Prosper. The store opened in 2024 and offers pottery creations, painting, birthday parties and summer camps. It is open Tuesday through Sunday. The studio accepts walk-ins and provides scheduled classes that customers can book through its website.
“We opened the Speckled Turtle to provide a family-friendly creative outlet,” Gilbert said. “A space where all ages are welcome to come and get creative, reconnect, and relax.”
Gilbert is a mother to five children who grew up crafting with her. On their family vacations, they liked to visit the local pottery stores in the area. This hobby helped inspire Speckled Turtle’s creation.
“When presented with the opportunity to open my studio I jumped at the opportunity to bring the joy of creating and family time,” Gilbert said. “All ages love to paint and create.”
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Gilbert earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies—educational Administration and Business—and her master’s degree in teaching. She then taught third and fourth grade in Baltimore, Maryland, before moving to Prosper with her family in 2013.
“My advice for any business owner is to never give up,” Gilbert said. “Be innovative. Be ready to pivot. Be prepared. Also don’t worry about what other people think about you.”
One of Gilbert’s sons, Peter Gilbert, is a senior at Walnut Grove. He is involved with the school through photography and media programs and can often be found at sporting events, taking photos.
“I’m very proud of my mom and dad,” Peter said. “They were able to build their business from the ground up even though it took a long time.”
For those painting pottery, the store offers various colors and glaze so the customer can make their artistic vision come to life.

“I went to Speckled Turtle a couple weeks ago with a friend and absolutely loved it,” senior Arushima Swaroop said. “The possibilities were endless and it was a great way to relax and connect with others.”
One of the biggest challenges for small businesses in Prosper is obtaining a city permit to operate legally. This process can take weeks or months and is often out of the business owner’s hands.
“I feel like there are not a lot of resources for small businesses locally,” Gilbert said. “I also feel like the city should offer grants to art businesses so they can grow and offer more to their community.”
Speckled Turtle seeks to continue growing its customer base through its myriad services. Community members of all ages can find an activity at Speckled Turtle to explore their creativity.
“As a woman and mom, I am very proud of my accomplishments,” Gilbert said. “Getting my degrees, owning multiple businesses, and managing my family is my greatest accomplishment. Businesses can fail. My love for my family cannot.”