My husband Alexis and I were both used to working regular jobs to earn money. Starting a business never really crossed our minds. But as a foreigner who doesn’t speak French and living in the countryside of France, it was very hard for me to find a job. It took us over a year before we finally decided to try a small business. At first, we didn’t even know what kind of business to start.
“Something that people need regularly,” was the first thing that came to my mind. I also wanted something that didn’t take too long to make. Months passed before the idea of scrunchies came to mind. It was surprising—it just suddenly came to me, even though I hadn’t seen any videos or actual scrunchies around that time.
Alexis wanted us to also make something for men, so he suggested bow ties. He wanted to be the one to choose the fabrics for them. That’s exactly what happened the first time we shopped for fabric. He was happy that he could contribute, not just by financing the business.
Since we live in France, there had to be a bit of French charm. We’re not 100% confident about that part yet, but we’re doing our best. We want our handmade items to be useful for everyday style—and, of course, of good quality. Good quality from the fabric to the craftsmanship. In short, they’re made with love.
If I had to describe items made in France, I’d say they’re unique and well-crafted. To make our scrunchies a bit more unique, we created two-tone scrunchies—using either two different colors of fabric or two different types of fabric. We’re hoping that in the future, we’ll be able to make more unique scrunchies and bow ties.
We don’t know if this small business will last just a year or more. But we hope it lasts longer and slowly grows.
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Original (Cebuano Language):
ANG SINUGDANAN SA CHÉRIE CHOUCHOU
Pareho mi sa akong bana nga si Alexis nga naandan ang pagpang-empleyo para makakwarta. Wala gyod misulod sa among hunahuna nga mag-business. Apan, ako, ingong langyaw nga dili kaistorya ug French, ug nagpuyo sa country side sa France, lisod ang pagpangita ug trabaho. Kapin tuig pa una namo madesisyonan nga mag-small business. Ug sa sugod, wala mi kabalo kung unsa nga klase.
“Something nga balikbalik nga kinahanglan sa mga tao,” mao gyod na ang unang misuntop sa akong hunahuna. Ug gusto pod nako nga something nga dili kaayo dugay humanon ug himo. Mga bulan pa ang milabay una misuntop sa hunahuna ang scrunchies. Makapahingangha nga kalit lang, nga wala man unta ko nakakita ug videos o nakakita sa actual anang mga panahona ug scrunchies.
Gusto ni Alexis nga naa pod miy himoon nga panglalake, ug dayon siya mi-suggest ug bow ties. Gusto niya bow ties nga siya ang mopili sa mga tela niini. Ug mao gyoy nahitabo sa unang higayon nga namalit mi ug mga tela. Lipay siya nga naka-contribute, nga dili lang sa pag-finance.
Kay siyempre nagpuyo sa France, dapat naay charm sa French style. Pero kana ang dili mi hundred percent nga confident. Pero ginapaningkamotan. Gusto namo nga ang among handmade items kay mapuslan sa pang-adlaw-adlaw nga style, ug syempre good quality. Good quality gikan sa tela hangtod sa paghimo. Kumbaga made with love gyod.
Kung pa-describe-bon ko sa made in France nga items, maingon nako, unique ug well-crafted. Aron medyo unique pod among scrunchies, nahimo ang 2-tone scrunchies, duha ka managlahing kolor sa tela o duha ka managlahing tela. Hoping nga sa umaabot, naa na poy laing mahimo nga unique scrunchies ug bow ties.
Wala miy kabalo kung tuig lang ba o kapin pa ang gidugayon ani nga small business namo. Pero unta magdugay pa, ug unta mag-grow dyutay.
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