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

Hi Jaime, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I learned how to crochet from my great Aunt Alberta when I was around 6 years old. I never made anything because I felt I wasn’t skilled enough but when she passed in 2011 I obtained her crochet hooks and went straight to You Tube and I found a variety of wonderful things to make! I started making slouchy hats with flowers on the side. And I tell you when I look back they were beautiful. I still didn’t feel really confident making them. One evening a friend of mines admired a hat that I was wearing and she loved it! I told her I made it and she was in disbelief! I took it off and gave it to her and the next day her mother wanted twelve hats to give as gifts in seven days. WOAH! I was reluctant because I didn’t think I could do it or that I was skilled enough. Well I did it, and they loved them. Business started when I began posting the hats on Facebook and people would ask “How much?” I struggled a bit, but it started with what we know today as Parlez Vous Crochet and it’s been going strong ever since, 10 years strong!

Jaime, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

As Bob Ross would say it was a happy accident! It wasn’t my intention to start a crochet business but honestly it just happened. I struggled with what to create for a while because living in sunny Southern California it can be a bit hot for hats and scarves, so I had to find something to create for our warm weather climate. I designed crochet earrings, halter tops, swimwear, purses etc for our climate. I love color, texture, fun and flirty pieces. So because of this I teach women how to coordinate their regular clothing with my authentic crochet pieces (ie like a purse with my crochet earrings or a cover up with a pair of earrings.) When I look back at all my designs I’m proud to see everything I’ve created and how far I’ve come. I always wish my Aunt Alberta could see me now! She would be over the moon and thrilled to see how far the art and design of crochet has come in the 21st century.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Put yourself out there because you never know who’s watching!! When social media first started, I put myself in all types of groups via Facebook so I could tell people about my business. I did a lot of live videos giveaways & zoom crochet meet ups to get visibility to my brand. I tried to take good photos with what I had and made sure to link it to my website so people could shop. I added boards to Pinterest as well. I think these methods help me to grow in sales and also set me up as a content creator so I could be paid for whatever videos I make today.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being likable, friendly, inspirational enthusiastic & funny just to name a few. As years go by you learn how to perfect your craft. My biggest seller is my crochet earrings, so when people see them they are in awe and they lloovvve them. Lots of times they don’t know which color to choose! So having a great product made with great materials is so helpful. Having a great hustle and grind helps too. I stay in peoples face’s especially through social media so they see what I’m creating and feel inspired to either step up their business practices or support my business. I absolutely love it!

Contact Info:

• Website: parlezvouscrochet.com
• Instagram: ParlezVousCrochet
• Facebook: Parlezvouscrochet
• Linkedin: Parlezvouscrochet
• Youtube: Parlezvouscrochet

Image Credits
Photos by Parlez Vous Crochet & Garden Girl LA