Journey to Launch Series - Post #1

Hey guys!

Welcome to THE BLOG of Hook Yarn Love!

So, I'm sort of on this journey to launch my micro-home based-online-business. By sort of I mean, I've had this business open before, believe it or not.

(BACK STORY!!!)

Hook Yarn Love originally started when I was pregnant with my now 7 year old, back in 2012, in the beautiful state of Utah. I wanted to provide my child with all kinds of squishy, fluffy, snuggly things like hats, blankets and toys. (For the history on how I got started crocheting click here.) I started out making so many hats of different colors, sizes, and cute character designs. The tiny ones sold like hot cakes at craft fairs and local markets. 

After my little one was born I wanted to really give it a go on making her her first babydoll (which she still has and plays with to this day). These dolls became a near obcession to design and create. 

Bringing in personality through hair color, outfit style, hair style/color, etc. They sold well, and were starting to get just as popular for baby shower gifts as the baby hats were. I tinkered with the design over the next year or so until we moved to Washington state for my husband's job. 

There, I never picked up or moved the business over to Washington licensing. So the business sadly, fizzled. 

Since day one I've made my daughter some pretty cute little doll and critter friends. ALL out of practice for what I can put into my little mobile shop, but never really got around to following through with putting the dolls in there or moving the licensing around to the next state or the other. Which has also since shut down.

Then having moved back to Kansas, I've been practicing more and more with my doll and critter making skills. She has a whole collection now of trial doll designs to a floppy fox modeled after the one from the movie "The Little Prince", whom doesn't leave her side... According to her, he's her BEST friend.

Internally I've been going back and forth about starting up again and what my focus should be, under the sweet name of "Hook Yarn Love."  So, I prayed about it.

(FF to Summer 2019)

We were walking through Dillon's one Sunday afternoon when an older lady raved at how cute my little one's fox was slung over her shoulder, and that she wished her granddaughter had such special toys to play with that weren't all plastic and noise. I didn't think much passed the compliment and moved on. 

James, my husband, later brought it to my attention how much my work has improved since I was last open and selling finished items... That toys may just be my niche, that he hadn't seen anything like what I do anywhere, that making dolls and critters (amigurumi) is definitely one of my strengths.

(Modern Day)

So, I worked on my design, and am now on my way to shifting more toward a home-based, ONLINE, micro-business. I also homeschool our 7 year old and uphold the house work. B-U-S-Y. Plus, my husband runs a real estate business on the side as a landlord and branching out into other areas of the real estate world... Which I also help with at times.

At this point you may be asking a few more questions than when you opened this post. Maybe...

What's a micro-business, and what makes you a micro-business over a small business?

A micro-business is run by ONE person, the owner/operator. I don't have a need to hire anyone, and I don't plan on having any employees to manage. I have been recording my patterns as I go, so I may utilize freelancers for different areas of my business.

Why home-based and online? 

With being a stay at home mom, homeschooling, living on one income, it just made sense. Plus, we want to keep as flexible as possible if we decide to have anymore children or decide to travel or move again. Online is also where business in general is going, and if you aren't online, you'll have a more difficult time getting found.

Why such a big gap between closing down and reopening?

Well, to be fair, Hook Yarn Love grew too big too fast, and not exactly in the right direction. My husband thought it'd be more profitable if I added materials and notions to my shop. When sadly, it only made it more complicated to set up and tear down, and tons more to haul around from place to place, plus a baby. So after an event we signed up for in California ended up being a TOTAL FLOP, I figured it'd be best to liquidate that department and pivot in another direction.

I hope you can find or get something out of me sharing my story, or if you know someone who make be able to find encouragement from it, please be sure to share it with them, also like and follow on all my social media platforms!
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Got a question? Feel free to drop a line and I'll do my best to get back to you and answer to the best of my ability. Just click on the contact link!

Hook + Yarn = Love in Crochet Design

I've talked about this business being my break though into business for years, and have wanted to create a business centered around crochet just as long. Needless to say, it's an ongoing process and I still couldn't be prouder of how far I've come with this dream.

It hasn't been the easiest journey, but is any worthwhile journey really worth it if it's always easy?

So, on that note, I'd like to welcome you to my blog page! I'd love to share with you crochet tips and patterns, life events, business milestones, new products, and more. So, to be apart of it all, be sure to sign up for the Hook Yarn Love newsletter for all these great updates, along with giveaways, exclusive offers and discounts, and even more!