Georgetown woman turns passion for crochet into thriving business
Michele Trotman, a 29-year-old entrepreneur and mother, has turned her passion for crochet into a thriving business.
Born and raised in Georgetown, Trotman attended the Smyth Street Nursery School, Smith Memorial Primary, and later St. George’s Secondary.
After completing her Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, she enrolled at the Carnegie School of Home Economics, where her interest in crochet began.
She graduated from Carnegie with a credit in home management and holds certificates in computer science and event planning.
“Everything started with doing crochet at Carnegie,” she recalled. Growing up with strict parents, this 29-year-old woman said she learnt the importance of discipline and focus.
“I had to toe the line and listen to the advice they gave me,” she said. “I tried my best to stay out of trouble despite the crime and dangerous activities in my area. Adhering to my father’s rules kept me focused.”
This Georgetown resident relayed that the inspiration to start crocheting stemmed from a friend, Nickieta Semple, a single mother making ends meet through crochet.
“I was laid off from a job and struggling to find another when I saw Nickieta’s beautiful crochet outfits. She encouraged me to start, and in 2016, I began making an income from it,” this 29-year-old woman explained.
She added that the journey since 2016 has not been without obstacles. In 2019, a former co-worker reported her for crocheting during lunch breaks, leading her to stop entirely.
The pandemic in 2020 reignited her passion, and after being laid off while pregnant in 2021, Trotman picked up her crochet needles once again.
She is now trading under the name ‘Amethyst Crochet Styles.’ The businesswoman explained that her birthstone inspired her business name.
Amethyst is a semiprecious stone, and according to Trotman, she aims to create beautiful, trendy pieces.
Her crochet offerings include bags, tops, bikinis, hats, and throwovers, and she plans to expand into trendy mix-match pants, car accessories, hair accessories, and dresses.
CREATIVE PROCESS
When asked about her creative process, the businesswoman explained that it involves sketching her ideas and using YouTube for guidance when needed.
She draws inspiration from social media, especially Instagram, where diverse cultures showcase beautiful designs.
“I take pride in ensuring my crochet items are neat and durable. I always make sure customers are happy with their items before taking payment.”
CHALLENGES AND FUTURE PLANS
According to Trotman, one of her biggest challenges has been consistency and marketing.
“I blame myself for not putting myself out there when I needed to. The lack of varied crochet yarns available locally also poses a challenge,” she said.
Despite these obstacles, she experienced significant success when she sold out all her items while six months pregnant.
“That gave me the encouragement to create more,” she added, noting that despite the competitive market, she remains dedicated to keeping up with trends, especially American and Korean styles.
Looking ahead, this 29-year-old woman hopes for better days and plans to expand her business. She advises aspiring entrepreneurs to remain consistent and have faith.
“Don't give up if you’re not making sales every day. There will be dry days and good days. Take criticism and strive to do better than yesterday,” she advised.
She continued, “I want to thank my family and friends who have helped and supported me over the years. I love you guys.”
Trotman can be contacted through her business Facebook page, Amethyst Crochet Styles, or by telephone number: +592 629-3814.
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