An inspiring story of a banking professional who became an entrepreneur. The story takes us through how Yvette Rupiya built Yve Creations from scratch, creating handmade crocheted toys that delight children across Zimbabwe. This is a powerful story of career reinvention and following your passion.
As a banking professional in one of Zimbabwe’s biggest banks, Yvette Rupiya never imagined that her hands would one day craft joy for little children. Today her crocheted stuffed dolls are a delight in many homes across the country and beyond. The story of how Yvette found herself on this path is a testament of the power of reinvention and the courage to embrace unfamiliar paths.
The Comfortable Beginning
For nearly two decades, Yvette climbed the corporate ladder and built a successful career in Zimbabwe's financial sector. Starting off as a bank teller to become a personal financial consultant, she developed invaluable skills in customer service and people management. Her career took her from Harare to the scenic Victoria Falls in 2006, where she seemed settled in the predictable rhythm of the corporate sector however, life had other plans.
The Leap of Faith
In 2016, as automation began reshaping the banking industry, Yvette faced crossroads. When her employer offered voluntary retrenchment packages due to restructuring, she made a decision that would change everything. Instead of transferring to another branch, she chose family over career security, accepting the package to spend precious time as a wife and mother. "I initially planned to take just a year-long break to be present for my family," Yvette recalled. Little did she know that this break would become the foundation of an entirely new life.
Discovering Hidden Passions
Six months into her sabbatical, Yvette discovered an unexpected passion for mushroom farming. The satisfaction of working with her hands, nurturing something from seed to harvest, was a revelation after years in the service industry. When COVID-19 struck, her mushroom business became a lifeline that supplied supermarkets and her community while many other businesses shuttered.
The lockdown also brought unexpected opportunities for Yvette. Together with her friend, they turned to YouTube tutorials to learn about creating interior design pieces just to occupy themselves. One video led to another, and soon she discovered macrame, and later crocheting. Crocheting was an accidental discovery that she stumbled upon as she was trying to create a base for a macrame bag. She had never held a crocheting hook in her entire life but when she started, she knew that this craft was meant for her. From then on she started crocheting different decorative pieces such as crochet rugs, cushions and mats.
The Market Day That Changed Everything
Through invitation from a friend, Yvette participated at one of Victoria Falls market days and showcased her crocheted items. By her own admission, the day was a complete disaster. Not a single person showed interest in her crocheted pieces, and to make matters worse, Yvette felt isolated and out of place as the only black vendor in a predominantly white market. The experience was so disheartening that she seriously considered abandoning her craft dreams altogether.
Two weeks before the next market day, inspiration struck. Someone shared a photo of a handmade doll In a crocheting WhatsApp group and this gave Yvette an epiphany. She knew that children would be attracted by toys and would likely persuade their parents to buy for them, especially during lockdown when shops were closed. With inspiration from animals around Victoria Falls, she went on to create crocheted animals and popular cartoon characters like Peppa Pig. The transformation was immediate and dramatic. Her Peppa Pig doll sold within the first hour of the second market day, generating instant orders and launching what would become "Yve Creations: Happiness is Handmade."
Scaling Beyond Borders
Recognizing the limitations of Victoria Falls' small market, Yvette joined the Procrafters group, founded by Barbara Conradie. This platform connected her with customers across Zimbabwe and even internationally, although high shipping costs remain a challenge for overseas sales.
Like many entrepreneurial journeys, Yvette's business has weathered its share of dark moments. One particularly painful setback occurred when a courier lost an entire large order of dolls during transportation from Victoria Falls to Harare. "That is when I realized how deeply attached I am to my work," she reflected. "I was heartbroken because each handmade toy is unique, I can never create the exact same doll again. What helped me cope was putting things in perspective, thinking about the far greater losses others were experiencing during COVID-19. Some people were even losing their lives, and here I was mourning dolls that could eventually be recreated, even if they would never be identical."
The Art of Consistency
As competition in the doll-making industry continues to increase, Yvette discovered her competitive edge in unwavering quality and consistency. "When I started, there were few crochet doll makers in Zimbabwe but now there is more competition, however, customers remember quality," she explained. While she sometimes gets assistance from individuals she trained including her mother, she maintains strict quality control, often redoing work that does not meet her standards. "Each person's tension and method are distinct but for my brand, quality is non-negotiable," she emphasized.
Expansion in the near Future
Yvette aims to open a physical shop while continuing to teach crocheting to younger generations. "I want to ensure this craft does not die with us," she said, proudly noting that her daughter already crochets her own items. Her definition of success is beautifully profound, "I want children to actively seek out 'Yve Creations' dolls, to want to visit my shop, in the same manner that people desire products from established brands. I want that level of recognition for handmade toys."
Giving Back
True to her banking background of serving others, Yvette continues to give back to her community. Every winter, she creates and distributes hats, scarfs or blankets for donation to old people's homes and elderly church members. At times she does the winter donations collaborativly with other crafters to expand their impact.
Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Yvette's offers powerful nuggets of wisdom to aspiring entrepreneurs:
Consistency is key: "Focus on one specific product. It helps people remember you and refer business to you. Trying to do too many things makes it difficult to be known for anything in particular."
Age is just a number: "I started crafting at 40. If I can still dream and achieve at 45, younger people have even greater potential."
Entrepreneurship is different from employment: "Unlike a job where you expect a full salary regardless of company profits, entrepreneurs directly experience their business' financial realities. You are responsible for paying service providers even when sales are low."
Quality builds reputation: "High quality, meticulous work sets a brand apart. I receive many compliments and referrals because people remember the standard of my work."
A Legacy in the Making
Today, Yvette Rupiya stands as an inspiration to anyone contemplating a career change or wondering if it is too late to pursue something new. From the structured world of banking to the creative realm of handmade toys, her journey proves that sometimes the most fulfilling paths are the ones we never planned to take.
Her story reminds us that success is not always about climbing corporate ladders but sometimes about having the courage to step off them entirely and build something uniquely your own. In Yvette's case, that something brings happiness to countless children in Zimbabwe and beyond.
