We recently connected with RoseMarie Lewis and have shared our conversation below.

RoseMarie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

Starting my crochet clothing business was a passion project that transformed into a successful venture over years of dedication, creativity, and strategic planning. The journey from my initial idea to where I am today has been anything but an overnight success.

When I first started, I was crocheting clothing as a hobby and selling pieces to friends and family. The initial response was encouraging, but I quickly realized that to turn this into a viable business, I needed a plan.

The first major step was identifying a niche market. I noticed a growing trend for handmade, sustainable fashion and decided to focus on high-quality, unique crochet pieces. This differentiation helped me stand out in a crowded fashion market.

Scaling Up

1. Building a Brand
– Brand Identity I spent a lot of time developing a strong brand identity that resonated with my target audience. This included creating a memorable logo, a cohesive color scheme, and a brand story that emphasized sustainability and craftsmanship.
– Social Media Leveraging social media, especially Instagram, was crucial. I posted regularly, shared behind-the-scenes looks at my creative process, and engaged with followers. Collaborations with influencers helped increase my visibility and credibility.

2. Expanding Production
– Outsourcing As demand grew, I faced the challenge of scaling production while maintaining quality. I began outsourcing some of the simpler pieces to trusted artisans, allowing me to focus on designing and creating more intricate, high-end items.

3. E-commerce Platform
– Website I launched an e-commerce website, which was a game-changer. It provided a professional platform for showcasing my work, processing orders, and reaching a global audience.
-SEO and Marketing Investing in SEO and online marketing helped drive traffic to the site. Email marketing campaigns kept customers engaged and informed about new releases and special offers.

Supply Chain Issues One significant obstacle was managing supply chain issues, particularly sourcing high-quality, sustainable yarns. Establishing relationships with reliable suppliers and diversifying my sources helped mitigate these risks.

Financial Management Another challenge was managing finances, especially cash flow. I learned the importance of maintaining a budget, reinvesting profits wisely, and seeking advice from financial experts when needed.

Media Features Being featured in a well-known fashion magazine and participating in Miami Swim Week were pivotal moments. These opportunities brought significant exposure and credibility to my brand.

Listening to customer feedback and continuously improving my designs based on their input played a crucial role in my growth. Happy customers became repeat buyers and brand advocates.

Looking back, the journey was filled with hard work, late nights, and moments of doubt. However, each challenge taught me valuable lessons and pushed me to innovate and improve. Scaling my business was not a linear path but a series of strategic decisions, adaptations, and relentless perseverance.

To aspiring entrepreneurs, I’d say: embrace the grind, learn from every experience, and stay true to your vision. Success comes from a combination of passion, strategy, and resilience.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi, I’m RoseMarie Lewis, the founder and creative force behind Yubehandmade. I’m a crochet clothing designer, and my journey into this industry has been a blend of passion, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.

My love for crochet began as a new mom making a scarf to match my sons snowsuit, taught to me by my grandmother and mom. What started as a simple pastime quickly grew into a passion for creating unique, handmade clothing. After a few months of experimenting and honing my skills, I decided to turn my passion into a business.

At Yubehandmade we specialize in handcrafted crochet clothing, including bikinis, dresses, tops, and accessories. Each piece is meticulously designed and crafted to ensure the highest quality and uniqueness. We pride ourselves on offering sustainable, fashionable alternatives to fast fashion, with some items being made to order to minimize waste.

Our brand addresses several key issues for our clients:
1. Sustainability: In an industry dominated by fast fashion, we provide eco-friendly options that do not compromise on style or quality.
2. Unique Style Our customers seek individuality. Each piece is unique, ensuring that our clients stand out with exclusive, handcrafted designs.
3. Quality and Comfort We use high quality, sustainable yarns to create comfortable, durable clothing that feels as good as it looks.

Several factors set Yubehandmade apart
1. Handmade Quality Every item is crafted by hand, ensuring attention to detail and superior quality.
2. Sustainable Practices From sourcing eco-friendly materials to minimizing waste, sustainability is at the core of our business.
3. Personal Touch We engage with our customers personally, often customizing pieces to meet their specific preferences and needs.
4. Authentic Brand Story Our journey from a personal hobby to a recognized brand resonates with many, adding a layer of authenticity and connection to our products.

One of the proudest moments for our brand was being featured at Miami Swim Week. This exposure validated years of hard work and showcased our designs on a global stage. Additionally, the positive feedback from our customers, who often share how our pieces make them feel confident and unique, is incredibly fulfilling.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, here are the main things I want you to know about Yubehandmade
Commitment to Quality
We never compromise on the quality of our materials or craftsmanship.
Sustainable Fashion
We are dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion, ensuring that each piece is environmentally friendly.
Unique Designs
Our designs are exclusive, ensuring you always have something unique and stylish.
Customer-Centric Approach
We value our customers deeply and strive to provide personalized, exceptional service.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Yubehandmade. We are excited to continue growing, innovating, and providing beautiful, sustainable crochet clothing that makes our customers feel special. Follow us on our journey as we blend creativity, sustainability, and style into every piece we create.

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

Building a reputable brand in the crochet clothing market has been a journey of perseverance, authenticity, and unwavering commitment to my vision. Several key factors have contributed to establishing Yubehandmade as a trusted and admired name in the industry.

From the beginning, Staying true to my business has been so important despite external pressures, has been fundamental in earning the trust and loyalty of my customers.

Belief in my vision was crucial, especially during the early days when support was limited but great at the same time. There were moments when others doubted that crochet clothing can be a possible sustainable fashion brand. However, my unwavering confidence in the potential and uniqueness of my designs kept me moving forward. This belief not only fueled my perseverance but also inspired those around me to see the value in what I was creating.

Maintaining a high standard of quality in every piece has been a cornerstone of my brand. Customers know that when they purchase from Yubehandmade they are getting a meticulously crafted, durable, and beautiful product. This consistency has built a strong reputation for reliability and excellence.

Building a genuine connection with my audience has been vital. I engage with customers through social media, share behind-the-scenes glimpses of my creative process, and listen to their feedback. This interaction has fostered a sense of community and loyalty, making customers feel valued and heard.

Collaborating with influencers and participating in events like Miami Swim Week significantly boosted my brand’s visibility. These opportunities allowed me to showcase my work to a wider audience and align my brand with established names in the fashion industry.

While staying true to my core values, I’ve also embraced innovation. Whether it’s experimenting with new crochet techniques, introducing new product lines like my yarn brand YUBE Yarn Collection, or enhancing the online shopping experience, my willingness to adapt has kept the brand fresh and relevant.

Ultimately, the combination of staying true to my business principles, believing in my vision, and consistently delivering quality has been instrumental in building my reputation. I am proud of the trust and recognition [Your Brand Name] has earned, and I remain committed to continuing this journey with the same passion and integrity.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My best source of new clients have been social media. It’s can be challenging to post everyday but I find the time and I get help from my daughter Yuri. Sometimes you have to hire help as well. My daughter is doing great keeping my page up to date

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yubehandmade.com/
• Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/yubehandmade
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yubesocute

Image Credits
@benzo_be Mariya Nicole @sbsk_productions