Speaking It Into Reality.

 Hi loves, 

Have you ever wondered why something keeps affixed to your imagination or dreams?  I have.

I've dreamt many years ago of owning my own Beauty Salon which was operated as a classy beauty salon, with an actual start and end time. This last bit (opening hours) was very important, as at that time I was working in a hair salon that did not have an end time.  I would go to work by 9am and in comes someone after 3 pm requesting to get their hair braided small (if you have ever gotten your hair braided with extensions you know it takes time).  Once my boss accepts this client it means I could be at work until after midnight and still have to be back at work by 9 am the next morning.  That was exhausting and to say the least, I wasn't getting a lot of pay.

Fast forward a couple of years I got certified in general Cosmetology but right after completing tragedy struck and I was forced to seek employment fast as the sole breadwinner at the time died and my baby was just about to turn 2 years old.  While working at my new job I continued to do natural hairstyles (my specialty).  This was my second job, my weekend job, but a little over a year I had to change department and this caused me to lose clients as  I started working on weekends.  I stayed in that job changing departments and moving up the ranks until 2017 when I got laid off.  This is when my dream of becoming my own boss came to life, though not as a salon owner.

I've always been creative at heart, whether it's creating beautiful hairstyles, crocheting/knitting, or embroidering... So it came as no surprise when I registered the business name Khenzuri's Treasures.  I was really pumped up about sewing my seeds and getting my name out there.  But it's not that easy.  

My daughter's first day of school hairstyle

A simple twist with beads

I did my own hair as well

crochet braids

crochet then twist out

I've had good days and some not-so-good days but that doesn't stop me from believing that I will succeed.  I know I will not just own a successful business where I crochet and knit other people's designs... But I will become a designer as well... 

How are you so confident you will become a designer?

I am sure because no matter what pattern I am making my mind is racing 100 miles a sec with new ideas of what to make or how to change the current pattern I am working on. I have designed things in the past it's just not written for others to remake and that is what I am working on.

For instance, I made a dress from a scarf I test knitted.  While I was knitting the scarf, the idea came to turn it into a crop halter top.  However, after starting the new project that idea shifted and became a dress. Can I tell you how this dress stayed on my mannequin for almost a year before the final touches were added?  Take a look and tell me what you think.  Did I do well? 

My design, it was birthed from a scarf I test knitted for Petra Breakstone.

The issue I have now as to why I am not actively pursuing this part of my dream is designing takes time and I am a bit stretched at the moment but the stars are being aligned as we speak so it's just a matter of time.

And you know as long as there is life a dream can still become a reality.  Come along with me on my journey.  Until next time.

Thanks loves for taking a read.  Live, Love, Laugh... Please follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter. You can also purchase yarn to make your masterpieces here.

Finding your niche

As I am currently at this stage of finding my niche to get my newly started business on its way to become viable, I saw this quote and it really resonates with me.

It advises me to find MY customers.  Persons who appreciates my offerings and who are willing to pay for them.

Family and friends, though supportive cannot sustain a business.  With that being said I am stepping out of my comfort zone and actively pursuing my dream.

My first step was to seek help, I took the advice of someone and visited the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) with a variety of what my offerings were.

Next, I got registered.

Then, I started working on the project we decided to start with, this got me quite excited as it allowed my creative juices to start flowing.

I made one then another and before I knew it I have over a dozen.

I then got labels, tags and packaging done.

I was so excited to have my dolls showcased at a well-established store at the airport (the Norman Manley International) at that.

While waiting on the dolls to be sale tested I went onto designing keychains (this idea came from browsing the net and watching youtube videos).  

I was able to get the ones I made sold, yeah me. But still, there was something missing.

2017 ended and after being in business for almost 6 months I was still not blooming.  Back to the drawing board.

Remember JBDC? Yes, they called me for a seminar and I gladly went.  It was there that even though I knew this before. It became evident that my major issue with growth was marketing.

Damn.....

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#findingyourniche #handmade #crochet #knitting #smallbusiness #blogger