The Proverbs 31 Entrepreneur

“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.”
“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.”
Proverbs 31: 19&24

For about 10 years now, mommy has had a small business selling various things she has made. It’s technically a family business, but she is really the only major producer for the business. She designs her own patterns for knitted, crocheted, felted, tatted, woven, and braided items. Everything we sell in our online shop or our booths at farm festivals is handmade from original designs. Knowing that, I think anyone who looks at our booth would agree –my mother is amazing! She is always learning new techniques and figuring out new designs, and seems always to have some project with her to work on in spare moments.

Through the family effort of starting and running this small business, my parents have taught each of us children to have an entrepreneurial mindset which is probably why the three of us each have at least one small business of our own.

Mommy has been to me an example of the Proverbs 31 woman especially in this area of business. There are several verses which always make me think of her.

“She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” (v.13) To my knowledge, Mommy hasn’t done much with flax, but she often works with wool. : ) More significantly, she works willingly. She finds delight in the creative aspect of her work, but takes the time to do the more tedious tasks on her own initiative. –Which is a lesson I still need!

“She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.” Mommy is pretty picky about the quality of the materials she uses in her products, as well as the quality of her work. She is not content with “good”; she strives for “best”! She also has had many late evenings getting ready before a show, but she perseveres until everything is ready.

“She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.” (v.19) –She is always working on something. : ) She uses every spare moment, not wasting time even when she would seem justified in doing so.

“She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” (v.24) Mommy has recently started an etsy shop (www.mountainmistfiberworks.etsy.com ) and has worked very hard to learn the ins and outs of the system, as well as how to promote her items so more people will look at them.

“She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” Even though the business keeps her busy, Mommy still faithfully attends to the ways of her household. In addition to her housework and business work, she always has time for her family. She would get so much more accomplished if she didn’t stop to listen to me chatter! : )

It is because of Mommy that my sister, my brother, and I each know how to knit, crochet, spin, and weave. It is also because of her that it usually feels like cheating to me to use a pattern. : ) She has instilled in us the creativity and ingenuity that learns the basics, then takes those and uses them to make something much more complicated. That principle shows up in many areas of our daily lives, whether cooking, crafting, music, teaching, or anything else. Mommy has taught us by example to learn the basics well, and then implement them in new and creative ways.

Thank you, Mommy!!