Mabel Pagal, a 30-year-old crocheter from Mandaue City, is already happy to have a hobby that relieves her stress and relaxes her. However, apart from the joy that her favorite pastime brings, it also enables her to earn a living and put food on her table. Now, her humble business, dubbed “Stitches and Yarns”, has already grown and reaped regular patrons worldwide.

Mabel learned to crochet when she was in sixth grade. This form of handicraft technique involves making fabrics or clothing using yarn and a crochet hook. She fell in love with it, and little did she realize that this simple interest would open many opportunities for her.

She began by crocheting items for her family’s use before she eventually accepting orders from relatives and friends. When she started to post her crafts online, many loved her works, which paved the way for attracting more customers.

From being her side hustle, Mabel eventually decided to make crocheting her full-time business. She maximized social media to grow her business and became a seller on the e-commerce platform Shopee.

Today, her 5-year-old business Stitches and Yarns caters to customers across the country and abroad. Mabel personally makes affordable and quality crochet costumes and sells yarns as well.

PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc.’s (Smart) fast and reliable connectivity has greatly helped Mabel in her journey as an online seller. “#SalamatSaInternet, I was able to grow my handmade business and expand my reach to more customers from different parts of the world,” she said.

Life was not always a bed of roses for Mabel. When she was still establishing her business, she used to juggle two jobs while accepting crochet orders to continue providing for her family.

“I never regretted taking on any of the challenges that came my way in the past. My business would not have grown if not for those trials. To other small-time business owners like me, do not be afraid to take risks and always give your best,” Mabel said.

Together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Shopee Philippines, PLDT and Smart recently organized a technopreneurship training for over a hundred micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners in Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City, where Mabel also shared her online selling experience and how digital technology helps boost her business.