Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ivonne Montaño . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ivonne, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I first received my first client via selling my items on Etsy.

The process to getting a sale took a long time. I knew back in 2014 that To make sales I needed to captivate my clients from stunning photos.

To get the high quality photos for Etsy, I would work with photographers that I connected on Instagram, and asked if they would like to make a trade; keep the item and trade for high quality photos. This process could take from 1-2 or 3-4 months, due to me shipping items to different states or to other countries.

Once photos were received, I’d upload them on Etsy and try to write a captivating description of the item.

Once the sale came through i initially screamed with joy because someone actually like what I made and was willing to take a chance with me and my business.

Of course, I told my family and friends and it was something that I became very proud of instantly.

Ivonne, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey begins in Italy back in 2010. Our family received military PCS orders to Italy, where we would live for the next three years. During those three years, my husband deployed to Afghanistan. This meant I wouldn’t hear from him for days or months at a time; we also had our first child together (who was nine months at the time). In attempts to cope with these new changes, stresses, and daily life, I learned how to crochet. One day after I got off of work, and I had my daughter with me, we walked into the PX (Post Exchange) to browse, when I saw a group of Lantix women laughing, talking, eating and drinking Italian pastries, and very happily crocheting amongst each other. This scene resonated so much with me, so I worked up the courage to walk up to them and ask what they were doing, and if they gave lessons on how to Crochet. From that day forward, every week after work my daughter and I would spend our evenings with these women (who’s husbands were also deployed) and we would crochet while we talked about life. Learning to crochet helped me cope with my husband’s deployments and being a first time mom.

After we PCS’d back to the United States, specifically to Colorado, I continued to crochet and entertain the idea of making a business out of it. Part of entertaining the idea of making a business ment I needed to learn about the different types of yarns that were available: Wool, Alpaca, Acrylic, Merino, Mohair, Silk and much more. Learning about the different types of yarns helped me become aware when they should be used, how they looked if they were to be used on garments or as home decor. Obtaining this knowledge and at the time I had been crocheting for 6 years, I felt that I was ready to start running a business by selling finished items through Etsy.

Fast forward to the present, I now also knit and do air dry clay items that help crocheters and knitters with their tools.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

That is such a good question, I’d say last year during the pandemic I started to play around with air dry clay because crocheting and knitting came to robotic for me.

As I was playing around with the clay, I got flooded with ideas and started to share them on Instagram. The amount of shared excitement on these new items I made was mind blowing. This is when I realized I could pivot from crocheting and knitting and still be in that community via another outlet.

When you start to use a new medium you just don’t know how it will effect you. Thankfully, working with clay is very therapeutic and relaxing. It definitely feels like pivoting was a natural step in my business.

The more I make with clay the more I feel I can pivot away from designing and creating patterns for crocheters and knitters.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

For my field of items that I sale, I’d say the most effective strategy is to stay consistent, share behind the scenes often, show photos of yourself with your work and just be true to yourself.

I like to share one post everyday at a specific time and I have five categories that I pick from to talk about on my business page. That way I don’t feel too bored or sound repetitive.

Another thing that has helped me grow my clientele is asking them questions via Instagram (polls) to see what they want from my business, products, or if they like certain colors, etc. getting feedback directly from the customer helps how my business grows or pivots.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Etsy.com/shop/montanocrochet
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montanocrochet/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montanocrochet/