Born and raised in Georgetown, Michele Trotman is no stranger to hard work and determination. At 29 years old, this mother of one has navigated through the highs and lows of life, ultimately finding her passion in crochet.
With a rich academic background, including a certificate in event planning and a credit in home management from the Carnegie School of Home Economics, Michele is making her mark in the world of crochet.
THE GENESIS OF A PASSION
Michele’s introduction to crochet was both serendipitous and inspirational.
“What made me start crocheting, honestly, was seeing my friend, Nickieta Semple, who was also a single mother, trying to make ends meet. She encouraged me to start,” Michele recalls.
Laid off from her job in 2016, she turned to crochet as a means to support herself. “Nickieta was posting and selling these beautiful outfits, and I thought, why not try it?” Michele says.
Thus began the journey of Amethyst Crochet Styles, named after her birthstone, reflecting the beauty and uniqueness she strives to incorporate into each piece.
A CREATIVE OUTLET AND A BUSINESS VENTURE
Amethyst Crochet Styles offers a variety of crochet items, from bags and tops to bikinis and hats.
“I love creating trendy, beautiful pieces that people will love,” Michele explains.
Her creative process is a blend of imagination and practical learning. “I draw out what’s in my mind. If something’s too difficult, I turn to YouTube, which has been my best friend since I started.”
Social media, particularly Instagram, also serves as a significant source of inspiration. “Seeing beautiful designs from people all over the world with different cultures helps me innovate and stay on top of trends,” she shares.
CHALLENGES AND TRIUMPHS
Running a business is never without its challenges. For Michele, inconsistency and self-doubt have been significant hurdles.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was myself for not being consistent,” she admits. However, her journey has also been marked by significant successes.
“A particular success story was when everything I made sold out when I was six months pregnant. That gave me the encouragement to create more items and have them in stock.”
Despite these triumphs, the crochet market’s saturation presents ongoing difficulties.
“Everyone is doing the same thing now, and the market has become flooded with crochet items,” Michele notes. Additionally, sourcing quality crochet yarn locally is a persistent issue.
“If I had the money and helped to open a store selling beautiful yarns of all colours, I’d do it.”
BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
As a single mother, balancing her business and caring for her ten-month-old son is challenging.
“Some days I don’t make much, and months can go by without any income,” Michele shares. Currently, she is looking for a job to support her family while continuing her crochet business as a side venture.
“I need the income to save money for my son’s future,” she says. Despite the hardships, Michele remains optimistic about the future.
“My future plans for my business are to move forward. I hope to see better days. There have been ups and downs, and I’m hoping to catch a break somewhere.”
WORDS OF WISDOM
For anyone starting their own business, Michele has valuable advice:
“Be consistent and have a little faith. Don’t give up if you’re not making a sale every day. There will be dry days and good days. Stay open, take criticism, and always try to do better than yesterday.”
Contact information for Amethyst Crochet Styles
- Facebook: Amethyst Crochet Styles
- Phone: +592629-3814
