We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Sulistio a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I was going through a transitional phase in my professional and personal life, and it felt like the right time to finally pursue something for myself. I’m a lifelong crocheter, usually working on amigurumi pieces and always making something for someone else, but I’ve always been intrigued by ultra-slow fashion and the process of hand-making clothing, specifically crochet and knitwear pieces. I spent a few months studying vintage crochet and knit patterns to learn about basic garment construction and, in turn, creating (and scrapping) a ton of sample pieces. It was a very humbling process that shaped how I viewed fashion and my vision for my small business.

Crybaby is more than just a clothing brand; it’s a reminder that fashion should feel personal. Me and my two hands made this labor of love, just for you.

Amanda, 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?

I’m a slow fashion fiber artist and the sole creator for my clothing brand, Crybaby. I knit and crochet minimalist garments & accessories that are cute enough for your everyday uniform, and timeless enough to carry you through the years. Intentional details, eco-friendly wools, and effortless silhouettes, all with the energy of grandma’s handmade presents but make it fashion–that’s what we’re all about here. I strive to make fashion feel personal – every piece is handmade, just for you.

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

Crybaby is built on pivoting! I jumped head-first into my small business when I launched and pretty much sailed without a map. It was messy. I spent months creating patterns that weren’t what I envisioned, invested in materials that didn’t align with my brand, did all the things that didn’t end up working. But I learned to keep moving forward–just in a different direction. There’s something to be learned from every decision you make, regardless if it’s in business or life. Don’t worry about making the “right” choice every time. Just keep rolling with it.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I’ve been crocheting on and off since I was a kid, then picked it back up around 2018, and I learned to knit this year. I’m fully self-taught–bless YouTube. Never really considered turning a hobby into a business until a friend kept insisting I think about it. I’m glad I did. It’s emotionally fulfilling for me to create something for someone (giving gifts is absolutely my love language), and I’m so happy to be doing this.

I’ve learned that it’s not just about the finished product the customer will receive, but the customer experience as a whole. It’s about making the customer feel seen. Bring warmth and empathy to your customer service. Make the purchasing process as seamless as possible. Put a personalized touch to your packaging — a handwritten thank-you card and careful packaging have made a huge difference in my own purchasing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crybabycrochet.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crybaby.crochets/