Sarah Jo finds a way out

Katwaroo is pursuing a second degree in visual arts at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine, focusing on fine arts which delves more into painting, sculpting and drawing.

Her experiment with fabric began quite casually.

“It was only when I did a course in fabric surface design which dealt with screen printing and fabric painting, I got interested in fabric, their prints and colours and started thinking about designing my own.

Underneath, I just had this growing interest for handbags and then I settled on clutches. I didn’t really know how to sew, so I asked my mom to show me, she helped me and eventually I got the hang of it. I learned on an old-time sewing machine and from YouTube.” She also saved the money her mother gave her, towards purchasing material. Katwaroo also approached the Santa Cruz Green Market for a space to show off her creations and the business took off from there.

“The response I have received at the Green Market is overwhelming.

Sarah Jo Designs has a growing clientele from teens to the elderly. I don’t really use any specific material but at the same time, I use cloth rather than other types of material which can pollute the environment.

This is an upside to why the Green Market allowed me to sell with them.

“I love the Green Market, especially coming from an environmental background, their work towards making people more eco-conscious about preserving and protecting nature is exceptional. In terms of competition, I am the only person who is selling bags with them, so I add variety to what they offer as well.” Although she ventured into entrepreneurship because she could not find a job after gaining her first degree, Katwaroo is focussed on building her business full-time. Her goal is to also create high-end products with leather and heavier material.

She also produces necklaces, chokers and hair accessories.

“I wanted to create a catchy name but at the same time I did not want to restrict my company to just handbags, so I gave it a neutral name so I can always expand on products, mainly accessories.

“Not everyone can afford a brand-name handbag so I wanted to create something stylish, affordable and durable that people can wear to a high-end event or on a casual day out. All the prices are under $100 for handbags.

“A tote would take an hour to cut the cloth, line and sew. While a clutch would take between 30 and 45 minutes to make,” Katwaroo said.

“Even though it is authentic to print your material, it is very time-consuming as I did the course on fabric printing so I know what it entails, but I prefer to purchase my fabric at any local cloth stores.” Katwaroo comes from a family of five and her supporters inlcude her mother Sheila, older brothers Ricardo and Rawle, cousin Hannah, boyfriend Taran Bissessar, other family members and friends. “They would always give me constructive feedback and business tips.

“What motivates me as an entrepreneur is the great response I have been getting from the public.

I love to create things for people. It feels like I am giving them a part of myself with every handbag or accessory I create because a lot of effort and emotion goes into it.” Her advice to other innovatives? “Just start with whatever little you have. Everyone begins somewhere, you can talk to anyone who is established and they will tell you that they started small but the main idea is to begin putting yourself out there.” For more info: Instagram: @ sarahjodesigns, Facebook or sarah- katwaroo@hotmail.com