We recently connected with Jessica Whitmore and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

When I started dyeing yarn, I knew immediately that I loved the process. It was a way for me to tap into a different part of my creative side and it was incredible to take a bare skein of yarn and turn it into a work of art. I can say that it truly filled me with joy. And then… then I saw someone else take the “art” that I had created and turned it into something even more amazing. The feeling that I got from seeing her creation fueled me with a fire that I had never experienced before.

I took that fire, that passion that I felt from dyeing yarn and seeing my work inspire others to create their own unique pieces of art and used that to get the business started. I knew that opening a business would not be easy and I was very apprehensive. I doubted my work and wasn’t sure how to go about growing the business. I had years of business management experience, but it growing your own business is different. The hours are long and the there are days when everything that can go wrong, does. During all of this, I continued to lean on the passion that I have for dyeing yarn and the fiber arts. This passion takes me through the tough times and keeps me motivated to keep pushing through. My passion for the business has also helped me to build confidence. I have found that it is much easier to talk about things that you are passionate about, which helps with networking, customer connections, and sharing about the work that you are doing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As a passionate maker, I always found joy in creating unique pieces that expressed my personality and style. However, I encountered a frustrating hurdle repeatedly—I could never find the exact colors I envisioned. The shades available were either too dull or just not right. This gap between my imagination and reality sparked a thought, “What if I could create colorways that truly resonates with the uniqueness of every creator out there?”

The more I pondered over this idea, the clearer my mission became. It wasn’t just about finding the right color for myself; it was about empowering all makers to express their fullest creative potential. I envisioned a place where every shade was possible, where limitations turned into opportunities. Thus, the seed for Jadawoo Designs was planted.

Finally, after months of preparation, testing, and anticipation, Jadawoo Designs opened its doors—both physically and online. Our unique selling point was clear: an unprecedented range of colors tailored to the needs and whims of the creative community. We offered not just products but a platform for expression, enabling our customers to find their perfect match and showcase their unique styles.

As I reflect on the journey, I am overwhelmed with pride and gratitude. From a personal frustration to a thriving business that serves and inspires, Jadawoo Designs has become a solution for creative spirits everywhere. Our promise is simple yet profound: to provide the tools for creators to not just create, but to create exactly as they envision. In every colorway we produce, I see the realization of my dream and the dreams of countless others who now have the palette to paint their world in their true colors.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

As Jadawoo Designs began to grow, a critical challenge lay ahead—securing the necessary funding to bring this vision to life. It was clear that opening a brick-and-mortar store would require substantial capital, more than I could afford on my own. Driven by my dream, I turned to an innovative platform for entrepreneurs: Kiva.

Kiva’s unique model of crowd-sourced lending offered not just the financial support I needed but also a way to connect with a community of backers who believed in my vision. I began the application process with a mix of hope and determination. The first phase was to secure private funding through the platform, where I had to convince individual lenders about the potential and viability of Jadawoo Designs. This phase was both exhilarating and daunting, as each contribution edged me closer to my goal while underscoring the realness of my venture.

To my amazement, the private funding phase was completed successfully, thanks to the incredible support from friends, family, and early believers in my project. Their trust and encouragement were overwhelming and fueled my resolve. We then moved to the public funding stage, opening up the opportunity to a broader audience. The response was heartwarming—the funding goal was met, and then some. This outpouring of support from complete strangers, now part of my expanding community, was nothing short of inspiring.

With the Kiva loan secured, I could finally make tangible steps towards opening the doors of Jadawoo Designs. It wasn’t just about financial transactions; it was a profound affirmation that others shared my belief in a world where every creator has the freedom to express themselves through an unlimited spectrum of colors.

This critical phase of funding not only helped establish the physical store but also strengthened my commitment to the community that had shown such faith in me. As I unlocked the door to Jadawoo Designs for the first time, I felt an immense gratitude for every individual who helped turn my dream into a reality. Their support was not just in monetary terms but was a deep, resonant vote of confidence in the vision we all shared

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I have constantly sought knowledge and inspiration from various sources. Among the books I’ve enjoyed, “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert stands out. This book, with its profound insights into creativity and living beyond fear, has deeply influenced my approach to both personal and business challenges. It taught me to embrace curiosity without the burden of perfection, a lesson that has been pivotal in my development as a business owner.

However, the most transformative experience in shaping my entrepreneurial path was my involvement with the Spaceworks Program. This business accelerator was more than just an educational program; it was a community and a resource powerhouse that profoundly impacted my professional life. Through Spaceworks, I not only gained invaluable practical business skills but also had the privilege of connecting with a network of experienced entrepreneurs and mentors. Their guidance and the collaborative environment of the accelerator were instrumental in refining my business model and strategy.

I encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to explore similar resources available in their cities. Business accelerators like Spaceworks can offer a blend of education, mentorship, and networking that is critical for both nascent and seasoned entrepreneurs aiming to bring their visions to fruition.

The journey of building Jadawoo Designs has been enriched by these resources, each playing a unique role in my development as a leader and innovator. As I continue to lead and grow my business, the lessons learned from books, mentors, and programs remain integral to my philosophy of nurturing creativity and pursuing entrepreneurial excellence

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jadawoodesigns.com
• Instagram: @jadawoo_designs
• Facebook: JadawooDesigns

Image Credits

All Additional photos were taken by Lucy Gruidl Photography