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October/ November 2008
As a child I remember watching in amazement a time-lapse motion picture of a flower developing from its budding stage to full bloom. This is how I feel about the Art of Crochet. To see the detail in the fibers, to feel the texture of a skein of yarn, to manipulate the yarn until it evolves into something unique and wearable gives me personal joy. I wish I could say that KnottyLoop Creations is the planned summation of who I aspired to be...but that would not be an honest assessment. I'm the mother of 4 (3 sons and a daughter), when my children were very young it was necessary for me to cut corners in order to keep them fed and clothed. I learned the art of sewing and crochet from my mother, so during the colder months; I could buy a couple of skeins of yarn and make their blankets, hats, scarves, vest and sweaters. I sold some of these items at local fairs and shops to help make ends meet while working full time. Now that my children are all grown and out on their own I find myself to be an "empty nester", with excess time on my hands. In 2004, I began designing fashions for my family and friends and the responses were overwhelming. The more I made the more I found folks were lining up to get a skirt or dress of their own. My talent in this arena continues to evolve. The more I practice my art the more my creative flair awakens. I'm in awe sometimes of what I have been able to create. I truly recognize this to be a God given talent.
Erykah: Tell us what inspired you to turn your passion into a profitable business?
Mona: The first outfits that I made were actually from following patterns but it was difficult for me to find the cute stuff that I thought was really stylish and up to date. One morning I woke up around 4 am with a very clear vision of a design that was nothing like any that I'd ever seen before. I didn't need to write it down or sketch it out. I went to my stash and grabbed the yarn that I thought would suit the project and 6 hours later I had the completed the exact project that I envisioned. As soon as I showed this particular piece to my inner circle (God Bless them, because I bounce ideas off them all the time), they loved it. Since that day the designs keep coming…much in the same way as that first design. I love making these fashion statements for others…. I love the way that a line of yarn can be looped into a stunning and classic dress, skirt, poncho, scarf, etc…the possibilities that I see when holding a ball of yarn are endless.
Erykah: When did you learn to crochet?
Mona: Every great finished project begins with a good foundation. I've been holding a crochet needle since the age of 10, no wonder I have calluses. My mother, Clearetta has always been active in all types of crafts, from quilting to ceramics. She was my personal trainer and an exacting taskmaster. There were many days that I sat in the middle of the floor unraveling a design due to a missed or an uneven stitch. Thank You Mama for making me get it right.
Erykah: From the initial concept to completion, how long does it typically take to create an average piece?
Mona: Each piece varies in the amounts of time needed to complete….a hat or scarf can take as little as 2 hours to complete, while a dress or suit can average between 8-12 hours from conception to completion, depending on the complexity of what I'm trying to produce. Also, life necessities still demand that I work in corporate, so I haven't been able to completely dedicate myself full time to the art that I really love. I'm prayerful that this will soon be the case.
Erykah: Describe the moment when you knew that stepping out on faith and starting your own business became your reality.
Mona: Crochet is my addiction. This coupled with an extremely supportive and encouraging family, gave me the energy to take it to the next step. God sent me everything that I needed to make this dream into a reality. My oldest son, Osceola Muhammad has his Masters in graphic arts (my website and business card designer), my friend Nicolette Stanton has an remarkable eye and an awesome nurturing personality (my photographer); my sister Carlita Joe is my chief cheerleader (whenever I'm discouraged, she typically knows just what to do or say to get me going again), the balance of my family, too many to name has shown outstanding support, they've acted as my models and volunteered to do numerous projects without complaint. Truly this has been a blessed family venture.
Erykah: How do you market and advertise your company?
Mona: This has been a challenging aspect of this business, since my budget for advertising has been tight. I've relied mostly on word of mouth; if a client refers a new customer they will receive 10% off of their next purchase along with free shipping. I also utilize MySpace to generate interest by posting photos of my latest work, where clients contact me directly regarding pricing and availability. I love to participate in fashion shows, fairs, and anywhere I can think of to get my fashions shown.
Erykah: How do you define success?
Mona: My greatest sense of accomplishment comes in the form of a job well done! The moment when I know I'm giving or have given my best. This doesn't necessarily have to do with KnottyLoop or crochet but in all aspects of my life. At one point I had 4 children in college at the same time; this was a daunting task, but they all graduated and are all living responsible lives and are people that I'm proud of. In the case of KnottyLoop, I know that I have the best possible support team, that I'm giving this venture positive energy and that I'm working hard to make KnottyLoop Creations a household name.
Erykah: What have been some of your biggest challenges as a female entrepreneur?
Mona: #1 would be the business end of the business…. as a designer, designing is what I want to do. I want to have needle in hand from daylight to darkness. I travel to very few places without some type of project stuck in my purse. Whenever I have downtime, riding in a car…. watching television, etc. there is usually a small project tucked somewhere near. However, I know how important it is to understand the business end of the art. # 2 would be time, since I still have to work a full time position outside of KnottyLoop, when I crochet I get so involved in trying to complete a project I often am so focused that I unintentionally neglect myself. I have to be very careful to make time to eat properly, to get to the gym and to try to have a social life, to relax and revive.
Erykah: What African American female entrepreneur do you most admire and why?
Mona: This might be a bit clichéd, however my parents ran a gift shop, which opened in 1960. I've watched both of my parents work extremely hard to establish and build a solid foundation for their family. My mother worked extremely long days; after she closed the store each evening she still made time to spend with the family and to teach her children first-rate values. She has a wonderful sense of humor and she instilled a work ethic that I cherish. She has lived her life with great integrity and has maintained her gentle and caring spirit. I'm proud to call her Mama.
Erykah: What makes your brand unique?
Mona: There is a new breed of designers and creative artist who have revamped an interest in the distinctive beauty that is unique to crochet. This coupled with the swarm of new yarns, a multitude of colors and textures have given new life to an old art. KnottyLoop Creations was born of this new era of Designer Crochet. KnottyLoop creations was designed with the contemporary woman in mind, fun with an aura of sophistication. KnottyLoop Creations are not only trendy, but also classic and ageless.
Erykah: Where can we purchase your apparel?
Mona: KnottyLoop Creations can be presently purchased via www.knottyloop.com or www.knottyloop.etsy.com or if you need that hands-on touch, a number of items from the "Sass with Class" Collection is available at Kreative Soul Boutique located at 3744 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL" Clients can contact me at knottyloop@gmail.com regarding any item found on www.myspace.com/knottyloop or www.knottyloop.com and I will send pricing information. Once the particulars are worked out, sizing, color, special instructions, I will send an invoice via PayPal. Once payment is received the item will ship within 2 days to 4 weeks depending on project and material availability.
Erykah: What advice would you give to a sistah who is interested in turning her passion into profit?
Mona: I often remind my friends and family to try to live life to the fullest, to remember that this isn't dress rehearsal. Time moves so fast and we declare that we will start something tomorrow. We don't intentionally procrastinate, but it happens. I would advise that you make the sacrifice, commit to the hard work, learn as much as you can about the business side of your craft, get out and see what others are doing in your field, subscribe to any magazines that might give you insights, utilize the libraries or any additional free resources, understand who your customer would be (your target audience), then commit to even more work. Then if your heart is still in it and you believe in your work, take that step of faith and turn that passion to profit.
Sistah CEO
Mona Muhammad
Bellwood, IL
Age: 52
Company Name: KnottyLoop Creations
Business Launch: May, 2006
"Our very nature is to be alive, aware, creative and spectacularly effective. Let go of your doubts, and allow your true nature to shine through." - Author unknown
Mona Muhammad of KnottyLoop Creations
