By Cale Nuttall
Inathi Namba, a civil engineering student at CPUT, runs a crochet clothing business alongside her studies. As a self-funded student, she needed an additional source of income to manage the financial pressures that many students face. In June 2024, she turned her hobby into a small crochet business, which has since grown to provide her with a steady income while still allowing her to pursue her academic goals.
The Start of the Crochet Business
Inathi’s journey began casually when she crocheted an item for a friend. The idea soon turned into a business, and in June 2024, she officially started her crochet venture. “I started in the June holidays. I started by doing a project for my friend's birthday and after that I thought, let me start a business,” she explained. While she initially hadn’t considered making it a business, the opportunity to turn her talent into a source of income quickly became appealing.
Financial Pressures of a Self-Funded Student
Being a self-funded student means that Inathi is financially supported by her parents due to issues with her NASFAS funding. This creates a unique financial strain that many students in similar positions can relate to. “Most of last year, my NSFAS was good, so I was used to having that, at the end of the month I would receive a certain amount for myself. This year was nothing like that, so I just wanted to have that back” she said. Wanting more financial independence and the ability to enjoy herself without constantly worrying about money, she decided to pursue the crochet business seriously. “So that’s what the business gave me, some extra cash to take care of myself and for luxuries”, Inathi added.
Sacrifices and Success
Starting a business while balancing academics is no easy feat. Inathi has had to make significant sacrifices, particularly with her time. Inathi began the business during the holidays but had to adapt once she returned to class. “Once school opened, I only crocheted on weekends, weekdays I strictly do school [work]” she said, highlighting the importance of time management in balancing both her studies and her business. Despite these challenges, her crochet business has provided her with a sense of financial freedom, relieving some of the strain of being a self-funded student.
In terms of financial management, Inathi takes a structured approach to budgeting and saving. With the bank app, “I set money aside, two different bank accounts. One for the money I can use and one that I can’t use” she shared. This disciplined approach has allowed her to reinvest in her business while covering her expenses.
Pricing Strategy
Inathi’s crochet business requires minimal materials but is highly time-intensive. To manage this, she implements a pricing strategy that balances affordability with profitability. Inathi requires a deposit of R70 for each order to cover the cost of yarn, the remaining balance is paid upon completion. This approach ensures that each item provides a worthwhile profit for her time and skill while keeping prices accessible for her target market—students.
Challenges and Customer Relationships
One of the ongoing challenges she faces is balancing academic responsibilities with running her business. However, some of that pressure is alleviated as the final semester comes to an end. “Since we are approaching the end of the year, I can take some time on the weekdays to crochet,” she said. Another common issue for student entrepreneurs is ensuring clients pay on time. She has also had one incident when a client paid the deposit but didn’t pay the balance or collect the item.
Despite these challenges, her business continues to thrive. Inathi’s most popular items include street-style beanies, normal beanies, and ruffle hats. To ensure profitability, she takes deposits upfront, which cover her expenses, allowing her to operate with minimal financial risk.
Marketing and Expansion
Inathi markets her crochet business through social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, as well as posters around campus. She emphasises the importance of advertising consistently and pins posts so that potential customers can see her products at any time. Videos showing how her items, such as dresses, fit or how versatile her bags are, have proven to effectively attract customers.
Though she hasn’t received any formal support or mentorship, her entrepreneurial instincts have carried her far. She began with just R200, which bought her 10 balls of yarn and has since grown the business to generate R3,500 to R4,000 total earnings.
Rewards and Future Plans
For Inathi, the most rewarding part of running her crochet business has been her extra income and compliments from happy customers. While she sees the business as a temporary solution while studying, she’s determined to pursue a career in civil engineering. However, she is not ruling out the possibility of expanding her crochet business. “For now, I’m not going to leave crocheting, it’s going to stay as a side hustle while I am still busy with civil engineering,” she stated.
Her advice to other students considering entrepreneurship? Start now with what you have. Her journey shows that with determination, resourcefulness, and a little creativity, students can successfully manage both academic pressures and financial independence.
Inathi Namba’s story is a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of self-funded students. Through her crochet business, she has found a way to thrive both academically and financially, proving that with the right mindset, it’s possible to turn passion into profit.
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