This archive report was first published on 5 August 2020.
Joan Aoko, a 28-year-old from Nairobi, has turned her passion for crochet into a thriving business, Byaoko. Founded in 2016, the company specializes in creating handmade swimwear and bridal gowns.
Joan's love affair with crochet began at the age of nine, when she learned the art from her late mother. She continued to crochet as a hobby during her university days, where she studied International Relations and Diplomacy at Maseno University.
After graduating in 2015, Joan decided to pursue crochet as a full-time business. She invested her first earnings from a client order into buying more yarns and hook sizes. Initially, she made a variety of crochet wear, including baby clothes and women's and men's wear, but she eventually narrowed down to producing bikinis and bridal wear.
Byaoko has experienced significant growth, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people were forced to stay and work from home. This led to an increase in social media following and online sales. Joan also started a YouTube channel, where she teaches people how to crochet, and has been earning from it since many people are craving to learn new hobbies and skills.
However, the business has faced challenges, including inadequate funds to scale up and a lack of appreciation for handmade products. Despite these hurdles, Joan remains committed to her passion and has hired three employees to assist her with production work.
Today, Byaoko is a thriving business, with a yarn store called House of Yarns that sells imported crochet yarns and craft supplies. Joan is currently designing wedding dresses and working on client orders, with plans to release a bridal collection in two months' time.
Joan's advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to be patient, consistent, and hardworking, and to never give up on their passion. With dedication and perseverance, even the most labor-intensive and time-consuming businesses can succeed.
