FOR YOUNG BUSINESSWOMAN Katrina Foster, there is so much more for her to learn and do.
The owner of the St Lucy-based Posh Décor & Creations is now stepping out into the world to showcase her talent and creativity after starting to make diaper and baby item creations a few years ago.
“Late last year, I gave the business a name but I had started in 2012 when I did a tub hamper for my cousin’s baby shower. I had seen a picture of the pamper creations and I said: ‘wow, this is really amazing’.
“It was the first time I was seeing something like that. I am very artsy crafty, love to use my hands to create things. So I sat down and tried to figure it out because I didn’t know how many diapers and exactly which items would have been good to work with,” she said.
That tricycle hamper was a hit at the shower and after seeing more designs online, Foster decided this area was one she would be good at and from there she started to do more.
“I like to put my own twist on things so something that you see online you would not necessarily [get from me]. That’s what makes mine unique. I’m a perfectionist; it’s my strength but sometimes it can be my biggest weakness,” she said chuckling.
Having seen the tricycle hamper or a photo of it, customers started putting in their orders but Foster said that she was “getting tired” doing the same thing and started creating other hampers such as owls, butterflies and cribs.
Then, acting on people’s suggestions, she started posting photographs of her creations on Facebook and Instagram.
“So I created a page and a business name and started to get myself out there. It has been going great. I contacted Liliplum because I told myself that I really needed to push further. They contacted me and I will be at an event they’re having . . . my first workshop,” Foster said.
“The length of time each creation takes depends on what it is. I did a crib and it took me about three days to do. There was that much work. You have to build a foundation first and then go about building from there but there are some things that can be done in just a couple of hours,” the businesswoman said.
“That crib was definitely a challenge; it was a lot of headache and it almost brought me to tears. I don’t give up easily, I like a challenge and I kept in mind the end product and what I wanted it to be. That is what drives and motivates me all the time,” she shared.
While she can make hampers in advance she hardly does, opting to make what the client orders. She said that with the required 50 per cent deposit she sets out to purchase the items only then because people seem unaware that the disposable diapers and some of the items have expiry dates.
Diaper creations are not the only aspect of her business. Foster is involved in event decorating, fashion designing, and selling hair in addition to co-managing a guest house in St Peter. And she is not ready to settle yet.
“My biggest dream is to have a boutique where I can have my custom-made designs but budget-wise and money-wise, you have to save and be conscious of everything that’s going on in the economy.
“Everything takes time; the Lord didn’t make the world in a day. He is the Almighty God and He took seven days so success doesn’t happen overnight. Baby steps to long strides,” she said.
“In a year, I would like to see me having a bigger clientele and getting Posh Décor & Creations to be a household name, that’s why I’ve put myself out there on Facebook and Instagram.
“I’ve also contacted some stores. I would really like a bigger clientele and to use my hands more, be more creative and get more of the stuff that I haven’t done for myself done. I want to have people actually request them and for me to be able to do them,” she said.
With her background in fashion design, she is well grounded. She is also prepared to sacrifice some money and “take a lot of risks” in her first official year of business.
“To be successful you have to do that; you have to go through that process and I’m willing to,” said Foster. (GBM)