DIYthing

Are you thinking of starting your own indie business? In the spirit of a true DIYer you probably have sketched out some ideas that you have simmering on a back burner. If so, you might want to hear from Amie Hirtes of NexStitch. Amie has some interesting ideas for starting and maintaining a craft business. We will feature Amie and her Nexstitch shop for today and the next two Mondays. So stay tuned for some great tips.

aDIYthing: I’m really interested in how you started your business.
Amie: I had the summer off and was looking for something to do (and wondering how to pay the bills with no income). I was cruising eBay and came across someone selling crochet patterns, one of which I purchased. Upon reading the pattern, I realized that it was not as clear as it could have been. It was evident the designer was new to pattern writing. As well, the pictures weren’t the best quality. I kept thinking, “I could do this better.”

I was fueled with the notion that if I had made such a bold statement, I needed to back it up. I examined other published crochet patterns, listing all their pros and cons. I kept thinking how newbie crocheters get frustrated with crochet because of the way the patterns are written; the directions look like abstract algebraic equations. The plan was to make patterns that were teachable. I devised a template that would guide the reader through the pattern using a step-by-step approach, illustrating each step with labeled pictures, diagrams, and charts. I utilized a Vygotsky approach, hoping the reader would take “safe risks” and try something beyond their skill level if I slowly and systematically guided them. I felt my approach would set me apart from other designers and publications.

Once the product plan was in place, I needed a name for myself. My fiancé and I were at a restaurant/brewery sipping stouts and trying to come up with a name for the biz when he blurted out several ideas, including “NexStitch.” It was funny because he didn’t understand that the phrase “…in the next st” is used often enough in patterns to actually be catchy! It also reflected the idea that I was trying to do something different, with the next generation of crocheters in mind. The name stuck. It makes me chuckle when I think my business was born on a bar stool!

I really like Amie’s can-do attitude. She saw an opportunity and set about to make it a reality. She also used some tried and true methods that are available to all small businesses.
1) She listed pros and cons of the competition - this type of analysis is needed if you want to gain a competitive edge.
2) She came up with a real solution for some of the major problems that she identified in the competitor’s products.
3) She looked for something that would set her business apart.

These are great tips for any crafter or indie designer to apply to their business ideas. Thanks Amiee, for sharing with us. Stay tuned as next Monday we will bring you more ideas that Amiee for your small business.

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