Ummm who the heck DOESN’T like Harry potter or all things nerdy and geeky? With a love for the comic world industry and it playing a huge role in her life, Laura is the knitting machine behind White Willow Wearables. Check her out, she’s awesome! 10 points to Gryffindor!
WHAT DO YOU MAKE/SELL? TELL US ABOUT YO’ SELF.
I make/knit scarves, slouchy toques and other accessories in colours inspired by (mostly) Harry Potter and a bit of Doctor Who.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR BUSINESS?
8 months
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?
I got laid off back in February and needed something to occupy the time while I was waiting for call backs etc. I had made 95% of my Christmas gifts the year before and then it just kinda happened. I’ll be doing my first market on the 24th of September and have 2 more in November.
WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK?
Other entrepreneurs who are following their dream and doing what they love. I also noticed there wasn’t really anyone doing exactly what I’m doing at Comic Expo (YYC specifically) which fuelled my interest and helped me believe I could do this.
WHAT DO YOU DREAM FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE?
To one day go to the “local” (from Vancouver to Saskatoon) Comic Expos selling my super awesome stuff and be able to support myself with it. I love knitting and want to spread that around.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM AND WHY?
Instagram for sure. I just find it the easiest way to gain visibility online, between hashtags and sharing with Follow Fridays etc. I have a facebook page as well but that is more for the people in my life who don’t have instagram.
HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP WHEN THINGS GO WRONG?
Take a break. If something is really frustrating me (learning a new technique for example) I put it away for a bit and focus on something else I need to do. That way I’m still being productive in some way but I get a break from what’s not working. Also going to knit night is great. I get most of my help from the amazing ladies there.
WHAT’S ONE THING NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU? GIVE US AN INTERESTING FACT!
When I was 18 I went tree planting for two months and during that time I (along with some other people) rode a freight train from Edson to Jasper. It’s a fairly long story but it also involves having to hitchhike by myself back to Fox Creek where our camp was.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPER POWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Flying. Well I’ll be honest my first answer was apparating but that’s not so much a super power as just a form of transportation in the Harry Potter world.
WHAT ARE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES? (Please include links)
@whitewillowwearable on Instagram
@whitewillowcreate on Facebook
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR STUFF?
Esty: WhiteWillowWearables