A year ago, I took the plunge into my crochet business, excited to turn my passion into something bigger. But here I am today, still juggling a full-time job in sales and marketing, working on my crochet crafts, and trying to figure out how to make this dream sustainable. I will admit, there are days when I feel like giving up. There are moments when it seems like no matter how much effort I put in, my business isn’t growing fast enough to cover my living expenses.
But here’s the thing: I’ve never believed in failure. Even though some strategies and recommendations haven’t worked for me, I’ve learned from each one, and they’ve led me to where I am today. It’s been a humbling and sometimes frustrating journey, but I’ve learned the value of trusting myself and listening to what feels right for me — not necessarily what’s worked for others.
One of the big lessons I’ve learned over the past year is that there is no “one size fits all.” The advice and strategies I received from others, though well-intended, often didn’t resonate with me. It’s not that they were wrong; it’s just that they weren’t right for my business. And the more I tried to make them work, the more overwhelmed I became.
So, I stopped and took a step back.
I realized that I needed to create a strategy that felt right for me. A strategy that allows me to balance my full-time job, craft my crochet pieces, create content, and still offer personalized consultations for fellow crocheters and small business owners. I’ve learned to structure my time, not by what others say I should do, but by what works for me and my life. This is the most important part of my business now: not doing what everyone else does, but building what feels authentically mine.
For example, recently I completed two stunning pieces that I’m excited to share with you. I followed a beautiful crochet pattern tutorial by Knitting Love on YouTube. It involves joining small squares to create a piece of any width or length — perfect for adding crochet accents to furniture. I used Aunt Lydia’s size 10 crochet thread and a 1.3 mm hook to bring this creation to life, and I couldn’t be more proud of it.
It’s the little wins like this that remind me why I’m doing this — to create art that makes a difference in people’s lives, one handmade piece at a time. This crochet project is a testament to the journey I’ve been on, and it’s a perfect reflection of my new approach to growing my business. I’ve found my flow in combining my creative passion with practical business strategies that allow me to help other small business owners grow too.
And yes, some days are harder than others, but I now know that success isn’t just about following the rules — it’s about listening to my instincts and working at my own pace. If I feel overwhelmed by following someone else’s success story, I step back and refocus. This journey is mine to create, and it’s on my terms.
The Bottom Line: Trust Your Path
So, here’s my advice for anyone who’s building something meaningful: trust your instincts. Listen to what feels right for you. Your intuition will guide you, especially when strategies from others aren’t working. Don’t let the noise of “what you should be doing” drown out your voice. You know what’s best for you and your business. It’s okay to take the road less traveled — in fact, it might just be the one that leads to the success you’ve been waiting for.
And, as I continue to learn and grow my crochet business, I encourage you to do the same: trust yourself, manage your time wisely, and build a business that works for you. After all, that’s where true growth comes from.
Here are 4 ways I can help you when you are ready:
1. Order Custom Crochet Products: Add a touch of creativity and warmth to your home or wardrobe with handcrafted crochet items, such as home decor, swimwear, hats, and more. Place your custom order here.
2. Personalized Business Consultations: For crochet enthusiasts and small business owners, I offer tailored consultations to help you identify your target audience, craft a sales strategy, and confidently close deals. Schedule your session here.
3. Master Email Marketing with Kit: Learn how to use Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to create engaging email campaigns that nurture your audience and drive sales. Get started here.
4. Shop My Amazon Storefront: Find all the crochet tools, yarns, and accessories I use, plus essential materials for your next project and more. Browse my recommendations here.
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