From First Stitch to CEO: How I Built a Crochet Business and Why I Launched a Podcast

For over a year, I hesitated. Crochet is such a visual art form; I wondered how it would translate to audio. Then I realized that Simply Hooked isn't just about the stitches—it is about the journey.

While crochet is the thread that connects us, the real story is about the struggle of entrepreneurship, the mindset shifts required to scale, and the joy of building a life on your own terms. I didn't want to wait until I had a million-dollar brand to start talking. I wanted to speak to the fellow "mompreneurs" and creatives who are currently juggling kids, day jobs, and big dreams.

My journey began in 2012 with a simple trip to Michaels and a "how-to" book. I stayed up until 2 AM learning the slipknot, and I haven't put the hook down since. When I discovered amigurumi, the Japanese art of crocheting stuffed animals, everything changed.

Each project—from a wonky first pig to a detailed pony—taught me that crochet was more than a hobby. It was a creative outlet that made me feel alive. By 2015, I tested the waters at a local craft fair and made $200 in a single day. That was the moment I realized a crochet business was actually possible.

In 2021, motherhood changed my "why." I wanted to contribute to our family's income while remaining present for my son. I started waking up at 4 AM to work on my business before the house woke up.

I quickly hit a wall: I could only physically crochet so many plushies before burning out. That’s when I discovered the power of scalability. By shifting my focus to digital crochet patterns, I moved from selling my manual labor to selling my intellectual property.

• Unlimited Reach: One pattern can be sold thousands of times globally.

• Passive Income: My Etsy and Shopify stores work for me while I’m playing with my kids.

• Creative Freedom: I get to spend more time designing and less time on repetitive assembly.

When I started, I thought success was all about Etsy SEO and Facebook ads. While those strategies matter, I’ve learned that business is 90% mindset. Without belief in your value, you’ll never have the confidence to pitch a magazine or price your work for profit.

Influences like Cathy Heller helped me realize that I didn't have to settle for a traditional 9-to-5. The moment I started making decisions as if my crochet business was already a success, my reality began to shift to match that frequency. Confidence changes how you show up in your marketing and how you serve your community.

Looking back at the last three years, the growth has been incredible:

• Over 70 original amigurumi patterns written.

• A successful "Learn to Crochet" online course launch.

• Multiple cover features in Simply Crochet magazine.

• A published pattern book heading to major retailers like Hobby Lobby and Joann.

Everything I have achieved started with a single, imperfect step. Whether you are crocheting at 2 AM or planning your first Etsy shop, know that you are not alone in the trenches.