Meet Stephanie Shiman | incurable creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Shiman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Someone once told me that I had an advantage because I am “my own best customer.” What they meant by that is I am exactly who would buy my product–I’m an incurable creative with a love of yarn crafts. I know exactly what we love, what we want to create, and what drives us to do it. As a bonus–because I love yarn and color so much, I’m always excited and inspired to come up with new projects and products.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve always joked that this was an accidental business. Flashback to 2004–I was a stay-at-home mom to a busy toddler. I had just learned to knit and had designed a knitting pattern with a exotic yarn, a magazine published the pattern, and people came to me asking where to buy the materials. So, I took the leap and sent a few thousand dollars to a stranger in Nepal and a few weeks later had yarn business in a box stashed under my dining room table. Almost 20 years later and we have hundreds and hundreds of boxes of yarn stashed in a warehouse full of creative people working together to make the best products we can. Of course that’s the simple version that makes it sound easy–and it was, and wasn’t. When I first started I didn’t have any money to do it with–so I bootstrapped it, being resourceful in every way I could–collecting shelves and desks from free piles on the side of the road, even dumpster diving for boxes. Anything and everything I could do to save money, I did. I grew my business slowly, with intention, and eventually, I was actually able to pay myself. Ha!
I love what I do and can’t imagine doing anything else–that’s made it easier, especially when it seemed like the whole thing might fall apart. I’ve learned there’s almost always a way, you just have to figure it out and keep going. This path may have been accidental, but it’s heading exactly where I want to go.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One of my favorite things about my job has been the people I have met along the way that have been such a positive influence on my life. The most pivotal person has been my SBDC business advisor, Debra Boudrieau. I first connected with her after Hurricane Irene had passed through Vermont– taking with it more than half of my business inventory and equipment. It was a horrible time and more than anything I needed someone to listen and to encourage–Debra did that beautifully. We’ve been working together over 10 years now and her advice and direction has been invaluable. Owning a business can be a lonely thing–it’s so important to have a support person you can trust.

Website: www.frabjousfibers.com

Instagram: @WonderlandYarns

Facebook: Wonderland Yarns & Frabjous

Image Credits
last two photos (gloved hand, stacked yarn) credit to Lorianna Weathers