#MiMoTalks with Shazbanana Crochets: Bouncing Back

Today on #MiMoTalks, things get personal.

Shazbanana Crochets is the culmination of hours and hours of careful and dedicated handiwork. What was initially just a way to pass the time is now a full-blown business, with a knit bikini collection on the way!

In this #MiMoTalks, we get personal with Shaz, the owner of Shazbanana Crochets. Read on to learn about her story, and all she had to overcome before becoming a successful small business owner.

MiMo: The trajectory of your life has been so interesting. Not a lot of people know about all the challenges that you had to overcome.

SHAZ: Yeah, the first real challenge I remember having to overcome is when my family had to downsize our lives a bit during my first year of high school. The company my dad worked for paid for our school and everything, then my dad decided to venture out. So I moved from an international school to a very conservative and traditional high school. The difference between the schools was obvious, and it was hard for me to adjust to the new environment.

MiMo: What do you think was the most difficult thing about adjusting?

SHAZ: The academic aspect of school can be really tough if you don’t have an avenue to just let things out. Sports and the arts really helped me out as a person. And there wasn’t a lot of spotlight on the extra- curriculars in my new school.

MiMo: After some time though, you really found your stride- you were playing for varsity, you were on the Philippine National Team, and you were also the president of your 4th year class. What do you think were the things that helped you really thrive in an environment that, at the beginning, you found very difficult to adjust to?

SHAZ: When you’re having a hard time, you kind of just need to remember that it isn’t going to last forever. Some people get so lost, and they don’t know where to go or what to do. But I just kept reminding myself that if I just sit there, doing nothing, or just moping around, what’s gonna happen to me? What’s gonna happen to me if I don’t try to better the situation that I’m in? This is also what I thought about when my dad passed.

MiMo: How was that time in your life?

SHAZ: My dad was a very, very strong figure in my life. I feel like I adopted his way of thinking, especially in the way I overcome obstacles. I mean, I would always talk to him, and he’d always be the one to help me. I’m very independent, but I’m really not afraid to ask for help. We’re human beings and I think we’re all meant to be there for each other and help each other-- it was my dad who taught me that. When he passed, I got into a really bad part of my life. And I feel like the reason I’m so harsh or adamant about overcoming challenges now is because, when I went through that, I wasn’t harsh with myself. I really let myself go through such a bad time for such a long time, and it really shouldn’t be like that. When you drag it out, you can never really get to the root of the problem and fix it. You have to face it head on. When I finally got that into my head, I was finally okay.

MiMo: I love that. That’s a Shannon thing to say.

SHAZ: Yeah, I know the way I talk or say these things may come out as harsh sometimes. There are always instances where the circumstances are different. But usually, I just feel that you need to push yourself. You need to surpass your limits, that’s the only way to go on in life. Like at this point in time, you don’t know how far you can go, how far you can take your body or your mind. You don’t know the limit, and the only thing you can do is push it everyday.

MiMo: How long did it take for you to decide to “face it head on”?

SHAZ: My priorities at the time just really weren’t in the right place. And that is such a crucial thing. To have your sh*t together, you basically just need your priorities in line first. The main thing that really made me try to focus and get myself in order was the fact that I was going to college in La Salle and going to play football there. It made me grow up.

MiMo: Let’s talk about college. What did you learn?

SHAZ: So my three years and a bit more of college were... it was a huge trip. And all different types! My first year, I was trying to be really good. I was sucking up to my coach, I had a full academic load. I was working really really hard. I realized I was very drained emotionally and physically. I was so exhausted. I felt like I was giving myself a very unrealistic goal. So in my second year, I ended up slacking, and that was really, really horribly bad. Basically, if you can imagine a meter, I went from the top, then tried to stay in the middle, but went all the way to the bottom.

MiMo: You found the balance eventually though.

SHAZ: Well my coach had to tell me off, and I got into some trouble. But yes, eventually I found that balance. At that time, my friends (Hi Christina, Nina, and Carmen!) and I were going through such a hard time, but we got through it.

MiMo: Then you decided you had to take a Leave of Absence after your third year. Take us through your decision making process then.

SHAZ: Well after that football season ended, I tore my ACL again. And it was horrible. This was the third time I had problems with my ACL. And it made me think that maybe it’s time that I move on from this. I was thinking that I should be working by now. I was thinking I needed to get my sh*t together and help my family. I’ve never thought traditionally. And at that point in my life, my mom was really struggling with money and she really didn’t know what to do. She would say that before, but this time I knew it was different. She couldn’t give me as much allowance as before, and I just knew. I really wanted to help my sister through school and I didn't want her to have an uncomfortable time. So I said f*ck it. And I did it-- I applied for a Leave of Absence.

MiMo: Did you feel a lot of pressure being the eldest child of a single mom?

SHAZ: Yeah, of course. Being the eldest, I had a lot on my shoulders. Honestly we weren’t doing that great. We did not really have a monthly income and it was really hard. And I kept trying to push that to the very back of my mind, but then it felt really selfish to do so. La Salle really prepared me. And my coach-- he really, really helped my family. He helped us a lot.

MiMo: So what really drove you was the fact that you needed to help your mom out?

SHAZ: Yes, it was always that. I would’ve taken an LOA earlier honestly. My mom kept reiterating that she wanted my sister and I to finish school, so I really tried to work myself towards doing that. But it was so obvious that she was having such a hard time, so to me, it was like “what am I supposed to do?” My mom and I actually had a humongous fight about it. She was really against it.

MiMo: Do you think you would’ve done it any other way?

SHAZ: Honestly, I wish I took the LOA earlier, haha! But looking back, I think that the time I did was really the right time. I’m really happy that I got the job that I have.

MiMo: How was it getting your first job?

SHAZ: It actually took me a while, like 4 or 5 months. I had to process everything to leave school first, then I started searching online on Jobstreet. I knew I couldn’t really apply for jobs asking for a bachelor’s degree so I knew from the start that I really was going to work myself from the bottom up. I didn’t care. I just needed to get my foot in.

MiMo: That’s admirable.

SHAZ: Yeah, I was doing a lot of applying. I was honestly getting really frustrated cause the jobs I applied to turned up with no replies. I also had this one company that accepted me, and then when I gave them my documents, they took it back. This current job that I have though, I saw an ad for it online. I saw that the office was really close to where I live, so I just went there and asked to apply.

MiMo: I’m sure it’s a very exciting “holy crap” moment when you land your first job and receive your first salary.

SHAZ: Yes, I really enjoyed it because the people at work were great!

And when I got my first paycheck, I was asking everybody “what the hell do I do with this?” I had no idea. I’m thankful that I have work mates that really helped me. They were the ones who first started introducing me to the responsible ways of handling my money-- all that adult stuff. I would give most of my money to my mom, and then a bit of it was for me-- for my food, for how to get to work.

MiMo: Is it overwhelming being the breadwinner of your family?

SHAZ: I feel really lucky because I have such a great support system. My boyfriend really takes care of me. My friends really take care of me. When I first left school, I was living with my best friend, and her dad took care of me. Whenever I had money trouble, my friends would say “hey, we’ll just pay for your food today”, things like that. I have such a great circle of people around me. The relationships that I have really helped me.

This was a whole new experience to me-- being the person that makes money for my family. Because my support group is so strong, I was able to talk to them about these things. And that really helps me settle my feelings when I get overwhelmed. Because I’m someone who has such a wonderful support system, and who receives so much love from others, it’s only right for me to do the same, and be a strong support system to my family.

MiMo: That’s beautiful. Strong support from your loved ones also helped you start your passion project. Tell us about Shazbanana Crochets.

SHAZ: I started my first job back in March of 2019 as a call center agent and I was trying to find something to do while I was sitting in the office all day taking calls. After watching so many DIY instagram videos, I finally decided to buy a loom band for knitting/crocheting. A bit after that, people around my office started asking for customizable small trinkets and I began to make amigurumi pieces. Now I make clothes!

MiMo: How much initial capital did you put in? How long did it take to get back?

SHAZ: For my very, very first order, I put in about 3,750 pesos for cotton yarn. It took me about a week and a half to make the products and the money back, along with a bit of extra income.

MiMo: How do you manage your time as a full- time employee?

SHAZ: Usually, I would put in some crochet work while I'm taking calls. Right now since I'm working from home, I'm basically crocheting on and off all day. If friends are over, I even crochet while we all sit down and talk.

MiMo: What is your favourite thing about being a small business owner?

SHAZ: I cover everything from crocheting, to fixing up the packaging, to posting on my IG page. The brand I'm trying to build is all very personal-- from the style, to the way it is presented, to the products I release. The fact that I'm my own boss gives me the ability to let my creativity roam free.

MiMo: Do you think you need a college diploma to succeed in running your own business?

SHAZ: Definitely not! I believe that running your own business can really be done by anyone who is willing to learn and put effort into the process.

MiMo: What do you wish you would have known when you started?

SHAZ: This is my first ever business, so everything really is a learning process for me at the moment. I wish I had researched more small businesses to understand the ordering, delivery, and creation process more. Crochet is very slow fashion and I took in way too many orders during my first release. Mistake made, lesson learned!

MiMo: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?

SHAZ: 1. Perseverance

2. Creativity

3. Time-management

MiMo: Advice to aspiring business owners who also have a full time job?

SHAZ: It's really hard, but nothing good ever comes easy in this life! Remember to work with passion and kindness, because someone out there loves what you're doing and wants you to continue inspiring others to do the same!

Big thank you to Shaz! You can find her links below.

Instagram: @shazbananacrochets

Facebook: Shazbanana Crochets

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