Kitty's Creations
Trudy Doleman, Aug.22,2016
Are you still wondering what your next step might be to make that vision come to life? Not sure if this is something you can do and if so when is the right time? Perhaps you are feeling a press that you should be doing more. Answer the call, your vision may be calling!
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I would like you to meet a woman who had all of those questions and more. Karen Drew, creator of Kitty’s Creations. She is one of the sweetest, most honest, women I know. I am doubly blessed because not only is she a sister in Christ but she is becoming one of my dearest friends.
Wait! I forgot to mention she is creative. Yarn obeys her command, thread stands at attention waiting for her direction. She is one of those people who can look at something or hear your vision and bring it to life without a pattern. If you are gifted to crochet, knit, or sew and you are wondering if there is a next step I am pleased to share our recent conversation.
We spent some time talking about dreams, visions and Kitty’s Creation.
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Trudy: How would you define/explain DREAMS/ VISION?
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Karen: Dreams are more lofty-something that you may or may not be able to achieve. A vision is a more spirited impartation of what God has given and it is up to you to fulfill it.
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Trudy: We often hear the words used interchangeably. Do you think they are interchangeable?
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Karen: Everyone can have a dream but to me a vison is something more scripted and pre destined.
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The conversation flowed into knowing when it was more than a hobby and time to move forward. At some point you will have a pivotal moment when you realize it is not a hobby, it is not busy work. It is a passion. You will have a self-discovery moment when you are able to see beyond what you are doing right now.
Truthfully, most of us are not doing the thing that gives us passion. It is, well, work. When you are in your element, when you are flowing in your gift, even the mechanics of putting a business plan together does not feel like work because you are passionate about what you are doing. There is a thought that suggests it is not work if you enjoy what you are doing.
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Trudy-What was the defining moment that caused you to birth Kitty’s Creation’s?
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Karen: I believed that God gave me this gift and I was giving a lot of my creations away but there came a time when I realized that perhaps God wanted me to do more with the gift. It is helping me prepare for retirement and to continue blessing others with my creations.
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God gave all of us at least one gift. It is important that we take the time to identify that gift but it is vitally important to understand how to use the gift(s) properly. In that learning process you must also come to terms with worth, your worth. Your gift-your vision, cost you something.
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Trudy-What was the most difficult/easiest step for you in the birthing process?
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Karen: The most difficult was and is placing a dollar figure on what I do. I still have the mindset to bless people and it is difficult for me to place a true dollar amount. I am blessed to have my husband, Alan, take an interest in my business and he quotes the prices. I no longer get into it. I allow him to handle that part of the business.
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It is important to have people who are genuinely interested in what you do with no other motive than to see you do well. It is important that you have people in your corner who know you and believe in your vision. In a word, TRUST.
Our discussion also touched on support. As disappointing a fact as it may be, the fact is very often those closest to you will be the ones who expect/demand benefit of your gifts for free. These people are not aware of the spiritual and natural cost to you. Do not let anyone trivialize what you do or what your gift produces. What you do and who you are important to God and it is important to His plan for you.
Do not fall into the guilt trap causing you to lower your standards to meet “the family discount”. Find your market, find your audience, they are out there waiting for you. This is not to say you should never give anything away because certainly God will direct you in this area as well. Just like he brought you through the birthing process, He will direct you in how and when to share from your abundance
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​​​​​​Trudy- I am sure there were times when you thought about scaling back your plan or even walking away from it. Launching an idea into a business requires a lot of work. Looking back what would have been helpful to know or maybe who would have been helpful to know?
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Karen: I have been really, really blessed. As for the “who to know”, I have been able to network and one of my customers brought me into a group of black entrepreneurs who have been helpful and supportive. I have participated in networking events. From that I have been able to connect with others who share my information on their FB (Face Book) pages.
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What would have been helpful is to do more research on pricing. My business started out of crocheting. There are not a lot of examples out there because it is handmade and I put special touches on many of my pieces. Branching out into embroidery I am running into the same type of situation.
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Trudy-Please share a helpful tip or encouragement for those who are not sure of the next step to move from their dream to their vision.
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Karen: Pray. Alan and I prayed before actually launching the business we said “God we’ll go but not without you” so I suggest praying first to make sure you are in his will.
Trudy-Tell your audience about a Kitty’s Creation experience. What will we find when we visit your website or meet you at a show?
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Karen: The website is still in its elemental stages sooooo you never know what you might find there.
A show is different because by nature I am a shy person and you will most likely encounter my husband first. But if I am alone you will find me at the table available to talk with you and I will do all that I can to meet your need and expectations. I want you to leave me with a pleasant taste in your mouth about Kitty’s Creation including following up with my customers to make sure everything is good.
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Trudy-What items/services do you offer and how may we contact you?
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Embroidery on most anything customer or I supply, specializing in towels.
Quilting, wall hangings that commemorate your life events. The newest creation in the Heart Strings Line are pillows.
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http://www.kittyscreations.net/
Karen R. Drew
Kitty's Creations
Owner/Designer
Let us bring your ideas to life through quilting and embroidery
Thank you for sharing Karen, I enjoyed our time together! I am linking my faith with yours that Kitty’s Creations will grow to meet an even wider audience than you currently serve.
What’s that? What about the pillows? Ahhh my friends, I want to leave you something to discover! I am encouraging everyone to visit the website or find her on Face Book. Karen is testing new ideas on a regular basis.