Rebranding Reimagining Mayhoe Made

VOLUME ONE 2023

rebuilding a legacy - one stitch at a time

I was first introduced to knitting in 5th grade, standing in a single file line waiting to enter art class. My teacher decided to teach the whole 5th grade class how to crochet, so there was always yarn and busy hands lurking through the halls in between classes. One day, my friend Crystal came to school with knitting needles and decided that she would learn to knit instead. Seeing the two needles in motion were very intimidating and confusing but it piqued my interest. I was already trying to master the art of manipulating one crochet hook and a sliver of yarn. The idea of adding another needle gave me double dutch anxiety. I was convinced to give knitting another try as an adult, there was some hesitation and the scene of the two needles whipping away through the yarn came back to me mimicking a pair of garden shears to uneven hedges. However, there was a silent pull that forced me to mutter the words, "Sure, I would love to join you at your knitting class." to my friend Adrienne 13 years ago. As I sat and observed my knitting teacher, I didn't know that I would one day incorporate knitting into my life. I faced it as another exciting hobby to add to my long laundry list of interest. After my love affair began with knitting, it took a moment but I found myself indulging in it everyday, That's when I knew it was something that I had to do for the rest of my life!

I’m determined to do what I love for a living and cease to be apart of the mundane workforce that shuffles you in and spits you out day after day. The only reward I receive from these hamster wheel shenanigans is half of a paycheck to support my lifestyle and if I’m lucky, a 401k. Since I’ve been working towards Mayhoe Made and the various ventures under the Angela Mayhoe umbrella, the structure of what it needs to sustain itself has become quite shaky. Having a creative mind without a solid plan only leads you to an unpaved road that ignites dust clouds of confusion every time you haphazardly run down it. I noticed this pattern within myself and knew that I had to make immediate adjustments if this was going to be how I independently supported myself. The jury is still out on how all this is going to come together but that’s also apart of the process, faith. The amount of uncertainty that entrepreneurs face on a daily basis is mountainous, stressful, exciting and unavoidable, so I’m learning to go with the flow and just believe that it will all work out in the end. Of course this is better stated in an article as oppose to living it in real time when you’re faced with various realities. Another virtue that’s needed as an entrepreneur, patience.

“The jury is still out on how all this is going to come together but that’s also apart of the process, faith.”

I'm reimagining my foundation for Mayhoe Made and insuring that it is set up with the intention of becoming something workable and sustainable over time. My main focus has been on the creativity and not so much on the financial stability. As a creative entrepreneur, I believe that the battles are a bit longer, as our heads tend to remain in the clouds, receiving inspiration as oppose to sitting at a desk crunching numbers to be in the black when everything is done. This has been a process and a learning experience that I believe is necessary for me to gain clarity and arrive at an absolute decision. I'm not quite there yet, but when I do arrive, it's going to be fuckin' awesome!