This week on Meet Your Maker we have Gina from The Little foxes! Gina is a knitter who also makes beautiful hand dyed yarn! You need to go check her out ASAP!
Introduce yourself and your business.
Hello all! My name is Gina Marquis and I’m the owner of the Little Foxes! I work full time as a software testing during the week and spend the rest of my time knitting and dyeing yarn. I currently live near NYC with my husband and our 2 wonderful kitties who love to photobomb most of my product photo shoots.
I first learned how to knit about 11 years ago during my freshmen year at college from someone who lives on my hall (wild college years 😂). I really enjoyed it and once I started getting better at it, I opened an Etsy shop! It was pretty sparse for a few years until I put more time into it and now I have a few finished items, patterns, and as of a year ago, yarn! I love being able to be creative on my off time and share it with so many lovely people!
How did you launch your business & what made you want to start a small business?
I was still in college when I opened my shop, and it was mostly to afford more yarn to make more things. I also enjoyed knitting so much, but had limited space in my dorm room to keep everything, so I thought, maybe others may want something! My boyfriend at the time (now husband!) created a cute jumping fox logo and he and my other friends were my first models. Since then it’s grown to mean so much more to me, and I love the community from having a and shopping from a small business.
What are some struggles you had starting your business and how did you over come them?
When starting out, pricing items for my time and taking good photos were really difficult for me. I was still in college so as long as I made enough money to cover another yarn purchase, it seemed acceptable at the time. Over the years of growing and learning from other small shop owners, I think it’s important to realize your time is valuable and it’s okay to charge for more than just material costs! I still wouldn’t consider myself an expert at photography but natural light and a few editing skills make such a difference, and I still only use my phone for photos!
Where do you draw inspiration from?
So many things! I really love flowers of all kinds and a lot of my color ways are named or inspired by Spring colors! I also love getting inspiration from movies or TV shows that mean a lot to me (Sailor Moon, represent!).
When it comes to designing items, usually coziness over design is what I am form. And I love added cables into things when I can.
What motivates you as a maker?
Sometimes it’s hard to not compare yourself to other makers, since social media makes everything front and center, but it’s good to remind yourself that no two people create the same items, and getting your ideas out on yarn or a pattern is super rewarding and always worth the up front effort!
What is a goal you set for yourself as a maker/artist and how did you achieve it?
I think finding products that aren’t seasonal can be difficult in a knitting/crocheting world. Talking about new products and ideas with my husband always helps to overcome that. Being open to trying new ideas, and even expand your product line a little, is a great way to find other items you may enjoy making.
What is your favorite part of being a maker?
I started my shop for other reasons, but in this day and age, I really enjoy the community that can be built upon social media sites and with other small businesses. Having like minded friends can be so encouraging and at times uplifting, as you all can have similar struggles and can share help and love with each other.
Do you have any tips for new makers/ small business owners?
It may be said often, but I truly believe that if you’re thinking about starting something, start it! I know it can be scary to step into the unknown but you never know how much you can enjoy something until you get started. There will always be things to learn and grow from, no one has it all down in the beginning!
What are some hobbies or interests you have outside of your small business?
I do like to read! Mostly Fantasy books, when I have the time. I also like playing video games and playing the piano. One of my cats likes to come out of sleep and sit on the piano bench when I play… or usually just walk across the keys over and over again. 😹 I also really enjoy musicals!
Share a fun fact about yourself.
I don’t know if this is fun but I have a Math degree! LOL, I definitely use a lot of math in knitwear design, but no long utilizing all of the calculus classes I had to take!
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