Exploring Life & Business with Lauren Brown of Wildly Woven

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Brown

Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started Wildly Woven during COVID when I was looking for a new hobby to keep my hands and mind busy. I taught myself how to make hand-knit chunky blankets and, honestly, it was such a lifeline. I’ve always dealt with anxiety, and during such a tough time, finding something that made me feel fulfilled and accomplished was a real blessing. When friends started asking to buy my blankets, it gave me the confidence boost I needed to turn my little hobby into a full-blown business.

Fast forward four years, and Wildly Woven has grown into so much more than I could’ve imagined. Now, I offer blanket knit kits, patterns and tutorials so others can experience the joy of creating something beautiful with their own hands. It’s been amazing to see my business evolve from nothing into something that brings warmth and creativity into people’s lives.

I’ve learned how important it is to keep evolving—to stay relevant in such a saturated market. I focus a lot on social media marketing, and through that, I’ve connected with so many incredible people. Knowing that I’ve helped others find a new hobby, a sense of relaxation or even a new passion has been so fulfilling. It’s more than a business to me—it’s about building community and sharing something truly special.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. In the first couple of years, sales were pretty low, and I really struggled to figure out how to reach my ideal customers. Pricing my products was a whole other challenge. I’d spend hours making blankets, only to realize I was barely making a profit. That’s when I turned to Temu to source my yarn. I got a variety of colors that I couldn’t find in my area, which let me test out new themes and patterns to help expand my customer base. Doing so also helped me save about $30 on each blanket I made—which were savings that I passed along to my customers.

Balancing my life, my full-time job and my side business wasn’t easy either. There were so many late nights, so much money and energy poured into trying to grow Wildly Woven—and honestly, there were moments when I thought it might never become what I dreamed it could be.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that hard work and perseverance really do pay off. Finally reaching that point where I felt like I’d made it was the best feeling in the world, and knowing all those hours, doubts and hard work had led to something real and rewarding.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I make hand-knit chunky blankets and cozy decor, and I love teaching others how to make them, too. Through Wildly Woven, I offer knit kits, video tutorials and patterns that make it easy for anyone to jump into this fun and relaxing hobby.

By day, I’m an Instructional Designer. I’ve been creating corporate training assets for 10 years so it’s been amazing to bring those skills into my side business. Blending my professional experience with my passion for crafting has been so much fun!

A lot of people are looking for a new, enjoyable, and easy-to-learn hobby, and I’m so grateful I get to help with that. Right now, I’d say I specialize in video tutorials and patterns, and I’m especially known for my blanket patterns. I create them for nearly every holiday and season, pulling inspiration from anything beautiful I come across in real life and my favorite travel spots.

I’ve built a wonderful community of repeat customers who are as excited as I am to see what’s next. What I’m most proud of is starting with a small idea and growing it into a business that brings warmth, creativity and joy into people’s homes. It’s truly been such a rewarding journey.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve found great ways to network by doing local markets and spending time at co-working spaces. Markets helped me connect with fellow small business owners, share ideas and build friendships. Co-working spaces introduced me to other entrepreneurs who love chatting about ways to grow our businesses. It’s so valuable to connect with others as there’s always something new to learn and fresh inspiration to gain.

Pricing:

• $10 – Heartstrings Blanket Pattern
• $25 – Video Tutorial: Coastal Comfort Hand Knit Chunky Blanket Instructions
• $95 – Chunky Knit Blanket DIY “Knit Kit” With Yarn and Instructions Included

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WildlyWovenBlankets
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildlywoven_/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Wildlywoven
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@wildly_woven