MY MISSION: To motivate and inspire Boss Babes in the making. To uplift, encourage, and promote male & female entrepreneurs and to share our aspirations, goals and dreams.
To provide and build a warm, loving, and supportive community of CREATORS. Creators of art, a business, or a NEW YOU …
I would like to introduce you all to Nicole Hiebert of Loopilasso. She is a master crocheter, and mother to an adorable little girl but don’t let that fool you — she’s as tough as nails. I am very happy that she agreed to be a part of my Babes Promoting Babes Interview Series.
M: What’s your story? Where were you born, where were you raised? What was your childhood, growing up years like?
N: I was born in 1989 in Calgary, Alberta. The first 12 years of my life were relatively normal. My dad was a school photographer, ran his own business, so he was always working and always on the road. My mother was a stay-at-home mom after having me. She then had two boys and a girl. She was always very busy with that, housework, and just being a mom.
I spent a lot of time alone or taking care of my brothers and sister. Everything was as it should be, up until 2002 when my mother left my dad and also my brother and I. She took my younger two siblings and moved away. At the same time my dad lost his business, declaring bankruptcy, the house and everything due to the separation.
From this point forward my life was completely different and difficult. I switched between 6 schools in 2 years and moved many times. My dad had a very hard time being a single parent of two children. I was 13, very confused, angry, and sad. We moved to Kelowna and we didn’t have anything.
High school was extremely difficult . I had no friends, I was bullied and even beaten up. But I made it through. As soon as I could move away, I did. And I’ve been on my own ever since.
M: What did you want to do when you grew up?
N: I wanted to be many things growing up! I wanted to be a mother. I wanted to be a photographer. I wanted to be a veterinarian. I wanted to be a fashion designer for Barbie dolls. I wanted to be an actor. I wanted to be a counsellor. I wanted to be a TV chef.
M: Did you go to college or university? If so, what did you study?
N: I attended VCC (Vancouver Community College) and I took the Nursing Unit Clerk program.
M: When did you move to Vancouver? Why did you move to Vancouver?
N: I moved to Vancouver in 2008 to attend VCC and shortly after graduating I started working at Lions Gate Hospital. Although I really enjoyed my job, and I miss it every day, life doesn’t always go the way we plan.
I worked at the hospital for almost five years and then I really struggled for the next 5 years.
I have been gradually getting my life back on track since 2014 and directed in the way I want to go.
M: When did you start your business? What was your inspiration?
N: I started my business and 2017 and in the beginning I called my business Loops & Press. With the help of my best friend, an amazing graphic designer, we started Loops & Press to showcase not only my crochet talents but her printed works of art. I was the loops, she was the press.
In 2019, I decided to go solo and change my business name to Loopilasso. I’m inspired by many things. I have a lot of creative ideas and I love to make things my inner child would enjoy playing with … I love to create cute, unique, and sometimes crazy things.
M; What do you love the most about being a Boss Babe?
N: I love having full creative control over what I’m doing. I love being able to have a thought or have an idea and manifest it. I love using my talent and skill to able to do and make whatever I want.
M: What would your advice be for Boss Babes in the making? If they are contemplating leaving a secure 9-5 job with benefits – what would you say to them? Should they take the leap?
N: It would be very scary to leave a secure nine-to-five job with benefits and jump into something completely unknown with no promise of success. However, life would be pretty boring if you didn’t take any risks.
If you feel like your heart is longing for something more, then you should find it, and you should go after it.
M: Any last words? What’s our favourite positive/motivational quote or book.
N: It’s never too late to change your life.
Crochet has been very therapeutic for me. I taught myself to knit and crochet in 2015.
It was around this time that I decided to quit smoking cigarettes. I had been a very heavy smoker for 12 years. Learning to crochet was an absolute perfect distraction for my hands and mind.
My success in quitting smoking and my new found hope for my future helped me with the courage to work on my other issues.
My problem was alcohol. And it was a serious one. A genetically crippling one. It controlled my life and I wanted to take that control back.
I quit drinking in 2016 and put all my energy and emotions in learning to create things for other people — To make them feel happy and bring them joy with this craft. All that time I would of spent drinking went into learning and practicing crochet. I feel like a totally new person with a passion and fire for life.
Success is not easily acquired. It takes hard work, dedication, and passion. Sometimes it’s not always clear where your life is headed. But if you listen to your heart and do what’s right, you will get where you want to go, and achieve your dreams.
My beautiful 1 1/2 year old daughter is now my main reason for continuing to better myself and make good choices. She inspires me and is already very supportive of my work. She loves the different hats and toys I make for her.
I hope to make her proud with my work and one day share my knowledge and skills with her.
Nicole Hiebert is the wicked crocheter behind Loopilasso. If you would like to see her FUN & cute creations check out her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loopilasso/