“Starting my own business at 15 was part of my ambition to make a name for myself, to show that age doesn’t limit potential and to create something meaningful that truly reflects who I am.” Those were the words of 16-year-old Destiny Wade, the founder and owner of ‘Threaded Treasures by Destiny,’ a fashionable crochet business.
Hailing from West Coast Berbice, Region Five, Wade in an interview with Guyana Standard said her business started in December 2023 and was inspired by her love for creativity. “I’ve always been someone who values creativity and finding ways to express myself, and crochet has been my way of bringing ideas to life,” she explained.
In starting this venture, Wade recalled that it all began with her selling her crochet creations to her dorm mates at President’s College.
Fascinated by her work, Wade said they encouraged her to hone her talent and share it with the wider Guyanese community through an official business. This she said paved the way for Threaded Treasures by Destiny.
Relatively young to the business arena, and providing services to a wider market, the entrepreneur shared that in sharpening her skills she practised for many months, experimenting with different stitches to improve her skillset. “Watching online tutorials also helped me a lot. Over time, I challenged myself to create more complex pieces, which pushed me to grow and refine my craft,” she related.
Reminiscing on what her journey as a young business owner, the PC student said one of the biggest challenges she faced was balancing the business with her academic and personal life. “Managing my time effectively was essential to ensure I could focus on my studies while still growing my business’” she explained. In overcoming this, she mentioned that she created a structured schedule that helped to balance both effectively .
She added that another challenge has been finding high-quality materials for her work which according to her, can be difficult to source locally. However, she noted that in exploring reputable online stores that specialize in yarn and crochet supplies, it provided a great range of options to choose from for her pieces.
Showcasing her creative creations for more than a year now, Wade said the support for her craft has been nothing short of amazing. “My family, friends, dorm mates and teachers have been really encouraging and have played a huge role in motivating me to keep improving. Even random strangers have shown their support, some have gone as far as paying me double the price for my creations just to encourage me to keep going,” she disclosed.
Wade was also keen to note some notable achievements for her business since it’s establishment. The budding entrepreneur stated that she had the opportunity to showcase her work and be part of the Exhibition Curl Fete 2024 in August, which allowed her to share her journey with a wider audience. She also had the honour of participating in the Ministry of Education’s TVET Unit Expo, which was an incredible opportunity to showcase her work.
Revealing that this is just the beginning of greater things in store for her business, Wade said one of her goals is to expand and offer international shipping, particularly to other Caribbean countries. Additionally, she intends to develop a stronger online brand through a website and social media platforms to reach a wider audience and showcase her work.
Wade also told this publication that as she embarked on this entrepreneurial journey, she has observed significant personal growth.
The young creative in her advice to others said that starting a business takes dedication, passion, and perseverance, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.
“My advice to anyone wanting to start a crochet business or any business is to find something you’re truly passionate about, as it will keep you motivated through challenges. Start small and grow gradually, practice consistently to improve your skills, and build a support network of people who believe in you,” she expressed.
To connect with Destiny Wade for one of her creations call 608 0094 or follow her on Instagram @threadedtreasuresbydestiny or on TikTok @threaded_treasuresbydes .
