Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chereen Leong Schwarz. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Chereen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
As of 2021, I’m now earning a full-time living from my creative work. I never could have dreamed that my creative business is something that I could live on! Knitting was a hobby for me and a way to wind down after long days and nights on my feet working as a restaurant chef. I loved seeing the stitches become something more and soon had more knit items than I knew what to do with. I consider myself a process maker and truly love and enjoy the act of knitting.
While still working as a chef, I began selling my knits to coworkers and friends, and eventually started selling my items at a local shop. During this time, I also found the vibrant and thriving fiber arts community on Instagram and became immersed in that world. I focused on selling finished knitwear and also began selling my designs as knitting patterns to other makers. A year later, I left my restaurant job to work on a farm and had more time to grow my new knitting business. I also loved the community and connections I was developing through Instagram!
Before the pandemic hit in 2020, I’d already planned to try running my business full time. I also had a farm-to-table focused private chef business and still thought that my knitting business would remain a side hustle. During quarantine, the knitting community on Instagram was such a refuge. I’d met so many amazing and inspiring maker friends and even began hosting an IG Live series called “How I Built My Maker Biz” where I interviewed other makers about their business and how they came to be where they are. My business was also growing and I launched my own website and began selling my knits online in addition to the local shop. I was loving it so much that I decided to pull back on my private chef business and put more focus on the knitting.
From 2021 to now, I’m a full time maker and my private chef business has become my side hustle. There has been so much ebb and flow between the two, and I’m so happy with the balance I have now. I don’t think I could have sped up the process knowing what I know now. All of the doing and learning along the way has led me here, and the journey has been a huge part of the process!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Chereen… a California native turned Colorado mountain girl. I love spending time outside and am passionate about inspiring others to do so too! After my first winter in Colorado, I decided that I wanted to pick up a hobby. I’m a chef by trade and wanted something that could help me wind down after a long night at the restaurant. I LOVED seeing my stitches become something more. I became obsessed with figuring out new patterns and techniques. I’ve been fully self-employed with Smeeny Beanie Knits since 2020, and hope to continue this journey for many years to come.
Every beanie is handmade by me and all of my designs are created with the outdoors in mind. I only use high quality, eco-friendly, sustainably sourced wools and only source from companies that ensure an ethical supply chain. Items that I don’t make, like my cork tags and faux fur pom poms, are sourced from other small women-run handmade businesses. I’m inspired by outdoor adventures and want my customers to have pieces that are both stylish and functional. Wear the beanies camping, hiking, backcountry skiing, and everywhere in between. Smeeny Beanie Knits only uses recycled and recyclable packaging materials and is a proud member of 1% for the Planet where 1% of all revenue is donated to environmental non-profits. Smeeny Beanie Knits specifically donates to the National Park Foundation and Protect Our Winters. An additional amount is donated to the Intersectional Environmentalist as I strive to fight for social and racial justice as it intersects with environmental justice.
As a small business, I want to create positive change and use my brand’s platform to speak about important topics that align with my business’s values. I want those who support my brand to be confident of where their dollars are going and who they are supporting. I hope to inspire everyone to fight for the things they care about, get outside, appreciate the outdoors, and to cherish these wild spaces. Through Smeeny Beanie Knits, I hope to encourage others to make everyday choices that will have important positive impacts on our planet and its people, and to help create a more inclusive outdoors that are preserved for generations to come.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
This last year has made me incredibly grateful to have my own business. Last August, I lost my grandfather who I was very close with rather suddenly and was struck with the deepest grief that I’ve ever experienced. I felt almost debilitated for a month and found solace in creating. I also experienced so much love and support from the maker community. This was a time that I would have been preparing for the upcoming holiday season, so had to remind myself that I could dial back on my offerings and focus on myself and my family a bit more. A few months later, my other grandfather took a turn for the worse and passed shortly after Thanksgiving. I grew up in my grandparents house and this loss came with another wave of grief. Living in another state, traveling home for all of this was necessary and something that would not miss. For both of these losses, I was able to make it home to see them one last time and to say goodbye. I was also able to go back for both funerals and and so grateful for a business that allows me to do this. Even though this meant that I didn’t have as much inventory going in to the holiday season, it was more important to prioritize time with my family and processing grief. During this time, I began battling some mysterious health issues that culminated in needing a biopsy at the start of the new year. Once again, I was so thankful for the ability to step back and take time for myself while I worked through these medical issues and took care of my health.
These past months have been a gentle reminder that time and how we spend it is fleeting and precious. It made me realize how lucky I am to have a business that I can do from home and that can morph and change as I need it to. That to me is more valuable than anything! I’m now creating more boundaries and plans for my business that further protect my time, energy, and creativity and that mitigate stress and overwhelm. These are things that I have the power to change and control and that by doing so can allow my business to thrive for the long haul and make a bigger impact.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is getting to make a living doing something I love! It astonishes me every day that this is what I do. I’m endlessly grateful that people continue to support and love my work and that I have a community of other makers and creators that I can collaborate and celebrate with. It is the best feeling seeing people wear my creations and when they come back to purchase them as gifts for their friends and loved ones. I love being able to connect with customers over topics like climate change, sustainability, social justice and other topics that I discuss as a brand. Having a platform that can be used not just for selling a product, but for creating impact and positive change through important conversations, collaborations, and giving back is something that I cherish and continues to drive my creative work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.smeenybeanieknits.com
- Instagram: smeenybeanieknits
- Youtube: smeenybeanieknits