Heylo! I'm Nikita, the owner of So Divine Crochet. I've been crocheting for 8 years now (whoa time flies) and knitting for about 2. I'm a nerdy mama of two boys who likes to find excuses to do crafts and sing -loudly-
SDC is all about styled warmth in the winter and light n' bright fun in the summer. It's been a labor of love and a slow climb to achievements, but I think that allows me to not take anything for granted and appreciate all the opportunities that come my way.
How did you launch your business & what made you want to start a small business?
I always knew I wanted to be my own boss and I loved working with my hands, creating something out of nothing. However this business was kinda by accident! A friend had asked if I'd like to learn crochet just as something fun to try. I wasn't so sure at first because she gave me black yarn, a 4mm hook and no pattern. Looking back now, I don't know what she was thinking haha BUT being the wonderfully stubborn person I am I took to Pinterest for ideas. Soon I was making all the things and pretty well too! I posted a picture on Facebook of my new hobby and found myself with multiple "can I buy that?", "Can you make me this..." comments. Twas in that moment I thought huh, I think this could be something.
What are some struggles you had starting your business and how did you over come them?
Back then knowing my worth was my ultimate struggle. Pinterest was still new, nobody in my area was selling finished items and being new to the craft in general meant many growing pains. I had no idea how long something would take, how much yarn and how to price items.
In the end it was all trial and error. I learned the hard way to take payment or deposits up front, to charge for my time, to not be afraid to say no, etc.
A couple years ago I had taken a few years away from the business due to work being crazy and you know... life. So when I came back it was like learning all over again. Social media had blown up, the community was massive, sales weren't just falling in my lap like before. I felt like a newbie all over again! That was really defeating and challenging at times.
I finally said fluff this! Nevermind what everybody else is doing I'm just gonna do me and that's when I came up with my tag line "I stick a hook in yarn and pretty happens"
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Fellow makers, not just yarn related, but jewelry, foodies, shoes, soap, etc.
I'm a manager at an artisan shop where I get to meet so many different makers and artists. There's so much creativity out there in so many forms. Watching and listening to other passion gives me so much inspo!
Also, I love scenic photography, nature shows us colors and textures that often get overlooked.
What motivates you as a maker?
The need to be warm hahaha
My kids, I want to show them that when you put in your dues and you believe in yourself that magical things can happen.
What is a goal you set for yourself as a maker/artist and how did you achieve it?
I wanted to get into a retail location. It was my big goal so when my Aunt opened up a artisan market July '18. She asked me to join and after that location more and more locations reached out to me. And in 2018 I hit that goal x3. It was so exciting!
I try and set lots of smaller goals on my way to big ones. My most recent was to release a pattern. I think I was more nervous about that then going into my first retail location. I finally just told myself bro stop being nitpicky and worried about failure. If you don't try, you'll never know. If you don't try, you'll never grow.
Did I just make that up?! Might've.
What is your favorite part of being a maker?
Being my own boss. I can schedule my work life around my family, I can go as easy or as hard as I want. I can hustle the way I see fit.
I also don't think there's anything better then seeing somebody genuinely love your products. I put long hours, sweat and literal tears sometimes into my work. So when somebody tells me how much they enjoy my items, they are repeat customers or simply just like, share and comment on my media. It's just so awesome to know what came from my creative mind was worth it.
Do you have any tips for new makers/ small business owners?
Do it. Just fluffin DO IT already. Whatever you're uncomfortable with. We've all been there. Just be you, don't try and be so and so, just do what feels good.
Make the garment, say hello to that maker with a zillion more followers then you, try that new craft, start YouTube. It doesn't matter what you do. As long as you're doing something you love.
Was the corny? Probably but it's still true!!
What are some hobbies or interests you have outside of your small business?
I love music, if I could've been a singer I would've been!
I enjoy snapping pictures and uh eating food. That's a hobby... Right?
Mmm cake.
Share a fun fact about yourself.
I'm a certified make up artist and my previous job before quitting to run SDC full time was a decorator! I like to make things pretty. That's probably why I love Animal Crossing so much hehehe
Bonus** there is a connection to all the names of my products. *Wink*
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