“I Didn’t Have The Confidence To Make It A Business” - Until Now

After years of dreaming about combining her love for teaching and creativity, Razia finally found the path to turn her passion into a thriving craft club.

Watch Razia’s full interview below to hear more about her inspiring journey from hesitation to success. 

 For nearly two decades, Razia carried a dream in her heart 

As a qualified teacher with a deep love for working with children and creating art, she had once attempted to start craft classes when her son was just five years old. 

“When my older son was five and I was home, I had actually started a little recycling art and craft class,” Razia recalls. “I also approached the preschool that I had been teaching at and I said, ’Can I offer some art and craft classes?’” 

But when the school owner asked her to bring a business proposal, Razia’s confidence faltered. “I didn’t know how to do that,” she admits. “So I didn’t carry on, and life took me through a whole lot of other journeys.” 

 The Turning Point 

Nearly 19 years later, after turning 50, Razia experienced a powerful realization: “My kids are grown. I have a 23-year-old and a 15-year-old. They really don’t need me anymore,” she explains.

“I think you get to a point where you realize, okay, time’s moved on a little bit, so let’s start doing me.” 

That’s when she discovered the Creative Crafting Club. “When I came across CCC, I was like, ’Well, actually, this is the way I can do what I’ve always wanted to do.’” 

 The Biggest Challenge 

Despite her extensive teaching background – having worked as a high school teacher, Montessori educator, and teacher trainer – Razia still found the business aspects of starting her craft club intimidating. 

“I knew I could teach. I’m comfortable with children. I knew I was creative,” she shares. “But the challenge was really setting it up as a business and something that could be viable, and that I could actually go in looking like I knew what I was doing, being professional.” 

That’s where CCC’s structured approach made all the difference: “The 30-day Startup Challenge took me through that process step by step, and that was incredibly helpful – from setting up emails to business accounts to getting a business number. I didn’t know how to do that.” 

 From Zero to Teaching at Two Locations in One Month 

With the support of CCC’s Lesson Plan Curriculum and her family’s help with technical aspects, Razia took the leap.

Despite feeling “excited, terrified, scared” with “a bit of trepidation,” she persevered. 

“I think for me it was a little bit of ’I’m scared here, but I’m going to do it anyway,” she explains. 

The results came quickly.

After completing the 30-day Startup Challenge during her December vacation, Razia launched in January with remarkable success: 

“When school started, I had nine children at school, and I have four on a Saturday morning at home where I do my little trials.” 

 Finding Fulfullment 

Now, running her CreArt Craft Club in Cape Town, South Africa, Razia has found the professional fulfillment she’d been seeking: 

“It’s filling my love tank, and I’m having fun,” she beams. “I’m doing art today, which for me is fun. It gives me energy.” 

The most rewarding aspect has been connecting with the children: “Being in class, laughing with them, creating with them, listening to their laughter and their joy... seeing how they’re growing and developing from the beginning of the term, those that were shy have come out of their shell. All the hard work that’s gone into it is really being rewarded by the work that I do with the children.” 

 Advice for Others 

For those hesitating to start their own craft club, Razia offers this wisdom: 

“Don’t let self-doubt stop yourself. We all going to worry, we all going to think ‘No, I can’t do this, it’s too much, it’s overwhelming.’

My biggest advice would be: "know who you are, be confident in your ability to connect with children and parents if that’s what you love to do, and just start. Even if you start with two or three children, that’s okay.” 

She adds, “It isn’t a race unless you make it one. The best way to do it is just to do it.” 

 Your Turn 

Razia’s story proves it’s never too late to pursue your passion and turn it into a viable business.

With the right support and step-by-step guidance, you can overcome the business hurdles that might be holding you back from sharing your creativity with children in your community. 

Curious if starting a craft club might be right for you?

Download our free Beginners Checklist to see what it takes to get started. This practical guide will help you understand the basics of launching your own craft teaching business - even if you’re feeling uncertain like Razia once did. 

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE BEGINNERS CHECKLIST