“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” - Dale Carnegie
I turned my crocheting skill into a full time business in 2018. Things weren’t as easy for my family and I was desperately looking for a source of income to help out because I wasn’t in school at that time.
Luckily, I had a good phone with great internet access which I used to my advantage by searching on successful crochet creators, following their YouTube channels to get better and practice alongside their tutorials. This was how I became very good and I was ready to make money lol.
Notwithstanding the constant battle with self doubt and negative thoughts about things not working out in the end, but somehow with the help of the right people that motivated me, I pulled through! I had a survey done on all my social media platforms on what crochet pieces they’d love to buy most and crop tops got the highest vote.
I did my first sample of a crochet tube crop top with the tutorials I got on YouTube and I had my sister model it so I advertise on social media and it worked!. I got very good reviews and comments on the pictures I posted of my very first work and even orders! Excitement is an understatement for what I felt when I received the accolades and I was happy my creativity was finally coming to light and getting recognized.
MY VERY FIRST ORDER & DELIVERY
I proceeded to open an Instagram page with the name “crochetsbychocho” because it was my nickname at the time. to advertise my pieces for a wider audience. I became very consistent as I set a goal to make at least one crochet piece in a day. It wasn’t easy combining making crochet pieces and doing house chores same time and I was getting frustrated.Somehow i managed to balance both activities but gave more attention to my business. My friends and family were also really supportive as they’ll always post and help advertise their crochet pieces on their own social media platforms.
I got my very first order on my business Instagram page. A friend had referred me to her friend and she requested a delivery of two crochet crop tops. I was overwhelmed because not only did I get my very first order but I got two orders in one. Luckily I had balls of the exact color of yarns she wanted for her order so I didn’t need to go out to shop for them and then I started her order immediately she paid the next day and finished up a day after as I didn’t want to disappoint my very first customer. She wanted them delivered in 4 days prior to her order date and I was willing to deliver even before then to impress her and of course give me good referrals.
She really loved her new crochet pieces after she took delivery of them and they were her correct sizes. She was impressed with how fast I finished and even delivered before the agreed date. She sent me pictures of her wearing the outfits and even promoted my brand by tagging my business Instagram handle on her posts.
Ever since, I got orders not only from referrals, but from my consistency and advertisements on social media. I can confidently say I sold over 50 crochet pieces as at that time before I proceeded to college. From there I was able to save up and of course help out with a few family needs. Not only was I able to help my parents out but I could sense the feeling of pride around them that their young daughter was finally an entrepreneur and a successful one at that. Seeing my parents happy was everything for me and indeed I was very proud of myself and I still am.
Lastly I’d say it’s also good to surround yourself with the right people that would give you the right motivation whenever it’s needed and as I wouldn’t have been able to achieve anything if I allowed negativity in the way and I didn’t speak to anyone about it!
“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself”- Roy Bennett.