We had the good fortune of connecting with Zaycha Rodriguez Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Zaycha, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?

The most important lesson my business has taught me is that you have to put yourself out there in order to learn. Making mistakes and bad decisions is part of the learning process and should be completely expected. You also have to learn to value your craft & time.  This means your hand made items won’t be for everyone, but you can’t undersell yourself.  Over the last year I have learned an incredible deal and hope to learn more as I continue this journey.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Although I’m constantly trying new things, I’ve found a sweet spot with crochet stuffed animals & bags/purses. What sets me apart from others is that I don’t use the traditional yarn that you think of when you hear crochet, so it’s definitely not your grandmother’s crochet. The yarn I use for my stuffed animals is much larger, softer, & more cuddly than normal. Getting to where I am now has not been easy. I started markets with just knit beanies but that did not work out well. It wasn’t until I decided to add a few stuffed animals that the actual sales really started. Even with stuffed animals, though, I’ve had some duds, but that only comes with trying new things. What I want the world to know about my brand and story is that what I make is made with joy and happiness!!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I’m not a native Houstonian & I don’t have a ton of time to spend outside of work, the kids, the husband, and the side business, but I recently did a market at POST HTX and the venue was really neat! This is definitely a place I would bring people to.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Thanks to Melanie Timm and her amazing macramé work, she originally shouted me out. I started crocheting for my kids, because I wanted to make my newborn daughter a blanket. Almost 16 years later I’ve made countless things for all 4 of my babies, Anyxa, Cyrus, Yaneris, & Kahlyl. My sister-in-law, Brandi, actually convinced me to start doing markets and put my stuff out there. Without her I would not have started! Last but certainly not least, my husband Jared has put up with all the craziness that has come with trying to start a small business while having a full-time job & a bunch of kids in sports and other activities. Love you, babe!!

Website: Www.madebyzaycha.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/madebyzaycha

Facebook: Facebook.com/madebyzaycha

Other: TikTok: TikTok.com/@madebyzaycha

Image Credits
Erica Mitchell

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.