This summer, the Dingman Center will be conducting interviews with the 11 student startups participating in our in-person Terp Startup summer accelerator since 2020. Participating student entrepreneurs will receive a stipend of up to $5,000 that will enable them to work exclusively on their startups over the next eight weeks.
Founder: Anna Boyd ’24, Plant Science
DC: In two to three sentences, how would you describe your startup?
Boyd: My startup is my crochet business. I make and sell full custom outfits, as well as tops, skirts, bikinis, sweaters, pants, hats, accessories, and more. I also aim to decrease unethical practices in crochet being sold by fast fashion companies and to promote a more positive use of the word “slut” to mean wearing what you want and feeling confident doing it.
DC: At what point did you know you wanted to create your own startup?
Boyd: I have been crocheting for over ten years and had my first pop-up shop at 13. This has always been a passion of mine, but I began getting serious about my art and created the Slut for Yarn brand my sophomore year at UMD.
DC: Who or what is your biggest influence for your startup?
Boyd: My biggest influences are my Aunt Kelly and my Grandma GG. They taught me how to knit when I was a kid and make the most gorgeous socks, shawls, and sweaters for my family and I. Although our projects are often quite different styles, I love working with them and getting advice on all my projects.
DC: Why did you decide to start a business in this industry?
Boyd: Slut for yarn fully began because I love to crochet, I quickly realized I could make money off of it and would sell baby hats, stuffed animals, and scarves as a kid. I picked it up again when I got older and began making things that were more my style now, lots of my friends loved the stuff I made and would buy them, so I decided to make an Instagram just for my crochet and it took off from there!
DC: What updates or significant accomplishments can you share with us about your company from the last few months?
Boyd: Terp startup accelerator is a big accomplishment, and I have loved learning more about defining and running my business. I have made a few big custom orders recently that I am very proud of like a black and white skirt set I did for my friend Hailey, and lots of outfits for friends going to festivals in the summer which I really enjoy doing. I also recently hit $10,000 in revenue which was a huge goal of mine for a while.
DC: When it comes to your startup, how do you define success?
Boyd: I feel successful when I make things that make people happy. I have received so much love and support from my friends and customers and would not be able to do this without them.
DC: What are you hoping to achieve during Terp Startup Accelerator this summer?
Boyd: During the accelerator, I am working on creating and marketing a knitted line of dresses, sweaters, and other wearables. I have not done much knitting before so these projects are a different style than most other things I have released, but I love the projects I have made so far.
DC: If you could give advice to any aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
Boyd: If you have an idea, go for it and be confident! You will never get anywhere if you don’t take the first step.
To learn more about Slut for Yarn, please visit the website here.