A Leap of Faith.
This is My Story
I had the amazing opportunity to make a dream come true in 2019 and turned my stress management hobby into something extraordinary. This is my leap of faith.
I graduated from The University of Guelph Ontario, Canada. I studied Molecular Biology and Genetics in hopes to pursue careers in Epidemiology and Public Health. I’m currently a Registered Sleep Technologist, helping members of our community who have sleep disorders with sleep therapy and assisting in their care.
But, I refuse to put down my crochet hooks, so here we are. Entrepreneurship.
Why Granny’s Apprentice?
My grandparents, my parents, and friends did a lot of sewing, crocheting, and knitting. My grandfather was a Tailor. My grandmother made dresses and crocheted. My other grandmother was also gifted with her hands and excelled in the culinary arts. Arts-and-Crafts was a staple childhood pastime in my household. I remember growing up always knowing who to go to so I could get my school uniform hemmed, a cardigan fixed, a button re-attached. I picked it up overtime. I was knitting before crochet, but once I got the hang of it… I was hooked. At 16, I had this bright polka-dot notebook where I kept all the short-hand I wrote for stitch patterns, and one day I took a giant black sharpie and scribbled GRANNY’S APPRENTICE on the cover.
At the time, I had no idea what that meant. It was just one of those thoughts I felt I needed to write down. Who knew years later I would have a “What Am I Doing With My Life?” crisis at the ripe-old-age of 22, and pull that notebook out of its dust-covered nook, only to see that I struck gold a long time ago. My memories of my grandparents and childhood are warm, happy, comforting and timeless. The name was a perfect fit.
What Did Crochet Do for You?
The year-round consecutive semesters I spent in university really took a toll on my mental health. Eat. Study. Sleep. Classes. Work. Repeat. I started losing that initial joy I had with my program. I started losing sleep. I needed a hobby to take me out of “Work Mode” and re-charge. Crochet became my outlet, it allowed me to breathe, reflect, be creative and help me focus on tasks. I think everyone needs a hobby, a simple, inexpensive activity to remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing.
When Did You Decide to Start a Business?
I started making scarves in 2017, and I gave them away as gifts. Many people questioned why I wasn’t selling. I always told them, “It’s just a hobby. I’m not the business kind. I just like making them.” A year goes by, and I’m still getting asked the same question. I always thought, “would people seriously buy these?” It wouldn’t hurt to try.
So, I post some pictures of my scarves on Instagram, thinking, “Meh, why not?” It wasn’t even a full day before I had a ton of likes and responses. People were commenting and wanted to buy scarves from me, asking me if I was selling. So, I found a few customers, asked them what they would like, and gave them a price. After crafting their items, they paid me more than the price I gave them. I was shocked! From that moment, I told myself, one day, Granny’s Apprentice, one day. I had no means to start a business then, but I knew it was something I wanted to do.
It’s November of 2019. I’m about to start my last year of university, and I am PANICKING. Life was NOT going according to plan. I’m just… miserable. I have a bundle of scarves stuffed in bins at home, two mannequins growing dust, another bin full of yarn waiting for destiny to embark upon them. What now? What do I do now?
I joined a business program for young entrepreneurs built by a young entrepreneur herself (Natania Smith: Business Coach @taniathecreative) and started running through this idea so enthusiastically I couldn’t type the ideas out fast enough. I had no idea where to go next, but I was going to go somewhere.
Why Did You Start A Business?
I would have regretted it if I didn’t at least try. I want young adults to know that sometimes to go from dream to reality you must take a leap of faith. Tell God the desires of your heart. We are our biggest inner critique. Create something and have fun, be proud from beginning to end. I started a business because I love creating things for other people. I love watching the smile on their face and hearing what they have to say on something I genuinely made. I want to use the gifts I was given to contribute to my community in any capacity I can, and inspire others to do the same.
I also want to bring more Mental Health Awareness to our different communities, “putting your stress to work” by finding hobbies to combat life’s rapids, give us time and space to breathe and remember that it’s okay to take care of yourself. Hobbies are therapeutic, and for fast developing countries where the work hours are long and the stress is high, it’s important to have something that allows you to “rest” your mind, unravel your thoughts, and organize yourself before actually going to sleep or taking a break. Some of us don’t have time for vacations, but we can certainly feel like we are having one with a hobby we love, every WEEK.
The more I made, I kept falling in love with crafting over and over again. People began to promote my work. Previous customers helpfully spread the word. I had no idea this was happening until I hopped on Facebook and Instagram to see it in people’s stories and feeds. I think that’s what kept me going. There was a platform of family and friends and customers cheering me on. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I am forever grateful for them. They are the reason I want to build.”
Where to Now?
Onwards. I wish to continue building and supporting the Community of Black Entrepreneurs, growing in excellence, faith, and wellness. I wish to share the peace I have experienced in life.
God is faithful. He knows and understands the desires of our hearts. When we seek Him first, so many more things will be added to your life. This is my living testimony. God gives me peace that surpasses human understanding. That is why I serve Him. I desire to share this peace with my community.