Have you seen the one-of-a-kind rainbow in Rudyard, Michigan? It’s not in the heavens, but rather in the glorious skeins at Keenan Hand Dyed Yarn. Owner Deirdre Darr is an independent dyer of wool, and is very clear on her mission: “The goal is not supposed to be that the yarn is beautiful. The goal is that people fall in love with what they made with my yarn.” 

Despite her passion, Deirdre, whose background is in ministry and being a stay-at-home-Mom, was less clear on how to begin her entrepreneurial journey. “I knew nothing about business, and even before starting I had a list of things I didn’t know how to do. Then I got connected with the Michigan SBDC and Business Consultant Mariah Goos,” said Deirdre. 

The two worked on cash flow management, marketing and sales, and the business plan, but it soon became apparent that Deirdre also had a goal to grow the business through export sales. Mariah tapped into her teammate Nicole Young Potvin’s expertise in exporting. Together they referred Deirdre to the U.S. Commercial Service and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, where she completed export training. According to Deirdre, “Now I’m amazingly getting ready to export to Australia and I’ve also got leads in Canada.”

Nicole commented,”As a business consultant, it’s just such a pleasure to come across a Client who’s willing to hear what you have to say, take it to heart, perform the tasks and then come out on the other side with a victory.”

“If the Michigan SBDC gives you a list of things to do, do those things, because you’re getting free advice on how to build your business, grow your business, and they’re in your corner. Because the Michigan SBDC helped walk me through each step, I’m doing things I thought I never would have done – like starting a YouTube channel!” exclaimed Deidre.