Fiona the head of knitting

Fiona the owner and creator of Beemohr

How did you establish your company?

I learned a commercial profession through several detours. I've always wanted to be self-employed and have read many books, taken courses ... and stayed on for 18 years. At some point I met my current husband and at some point our wedding was just around the corner.

When looking for the right wedding dress, I saw a few bolero jackets and was a little scared because they looked either a là curtain or plastic. I thought ... back in 2007 I was looking for a suitable festive cardigan on the Internet - nothing! So I got wool and off we went. It was very fine wool and I knitted my jacket with knitting needle 2, it took many hours, but it was ready for the wedding and so I developed my business idea. I am now knitting a wide variety of yarns and have developed a variety of cuts.

What makes your products special?

I mostly use hand knitting yarns, which makes my jackets very soft and breathable. When I am looking for a knitter, I first have a test model knitted, there were many and now I have "kept" the best. And I am very happy because they have been knitting for me for a long time. My knitters use hand knitting machines, so the stitch pattern is clean and smooth. I am convinced that in addition to the idea, my business lives from the wonderful work of my knitters.

What material do you use?

Baby alpaca, cashmere, merino, mohair. With this wool you can conjure up elegant and romantic jackets for romantic occasions. In my jackets I sometimes knit 5 balls of wool. 125 grams of concentrated quality :-)

What is your job like?

I have to constantly rearrange and design, sometimes putting the desk somewhere else, that takes time, but somehow I need it so that the energies flow. I am surrounded by beautiful pictures, books, pencils and always an A4 sheet with the tasks. And I have a couch in my office, I don't just want to work. My two cute cats surround me.

Are you regional or global?

I produce relatively regionally, my knitters live and work in Germany. My products are very individual and I also like to knit customizations, so it is definitely important to speak a language and I also like to know how and where my knitters work.

I buy the wool through German dealers, but the wool often comes from Italy. The products are ordered both nationally and internationally.

I am very global with my customers; "my" future brides come from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Slovenia, America, Canada, New Zealand, Tasmania and other countries.

Would you advise other people to become self-employed?

In principle yes. You have to be brave. First of all, mine has to find his idea, which also means work, courses such as finding a job can help or try a lot at all, I have done a number of adult education courses, which shows you what you enjoy. Question whether you really need the employee job. Commercial skills are helpful and you have to stay tuned. I heard so many "no" in the beginning. I was not put off by this, I knew that I could do it and that there was a market. Still, you have to tap the market; ask at trade shows / potential customers, bring their product with them, offer them in shops ...