We were lucky to catch up with Schuylia Adams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Schuylia, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
I learned resilience long before I ever thought about starting a business. Working as a NICU nurse, you don’t get the luxury of falling apart in the middle of a crisis. You stay steady because lives depend on it. That training shaped how I approach almost everything else. I know how to keep showing up when things are messy, uncertain, or exhausting.
When I started Knots in the Sky Handmade, resilience looked different. It wasn’t about emergencies. It was about persistence. I’ve had markets where I sold almost nothing, products I poured hours into that flopped, and plenty of late nights wondering if I was cut out for entrepreneurship. Each time I had two choices: walk away or learn the lesson and keep going. I kept going.
For me, resilience isn’t about bouncing back to where you were. It’s about coming back stronger, wiser, and more intentional. I had to teach myself profit margins, build systems from scratch, and accept that “handmade” doesn’t automatically mean sustainable or profitable. You have to make it so. That kind of learning curve requires thick skin and a refusal to quit, even when imposter syndrome creeps in.
Resilience isn’t glamorous. Most days, it looks like showing up when it would be easier not to. It’s slowly earning customer trust, streamlining processes, and being willing to try again when something doesn’t work. Mine comes from nursing, from my stubborn streak, and from the belief that building something meaningful is worth the struggle it takes to get there.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Knots in the Sky Handmade started as a creative outlet and quickly became something bigger. I make heirloom-quality plushies, baby blankets, and other soft goods that are designed to last, not just fill a gift bag. What excites me most is creating pieces that feel intentional, things people want to keep, not toss aside.
The special part of my work is that it sits at the intersection of craft and care. As a NICU nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how small comforts matter in difficult moments. That perspective carries over into my business. Every stitch is done with purpose, from choosing sustainable packaging to making sure each plush is sturdy enough to be loved for years.
In my first year, I learned how important it is to curate an intentional brand. It’s not about making everything you can, it’s about offering the right things in a way that feels cohesive. I am now streamlining my options into a more curated selection so customers can experience a shop that feels clear, thoughtful, and consistent.
This year I’ve been especially focused on building not just products but a full brand world. My collections, The Plush Shelf, The Blanket Edit, The Hat Edit, and The Sticker Counter, give customers a way to explore the shop almost like they’re stepping into a boutique. I’m also preparing for several upcoming markets and events, where people can see the craftsmanship in person and connect with the story behind the work.
What I’d want people to know about Knots in the Sky is that it’s more than a hobby brand. I’m creating a space for intentional gifting and meaningful keepsakes. My goal is for every customer to walk away not just with a product, but with the sense that they chose something worth keeping.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things have been the most impactful in my journey: adaptability, financial literacy, and storytelling.
Adaptability came first. In both nursing and business, plans rarely go as expected. You have to be willing to shift, test, and try again without letting setbacks derail you. For someone just starting, I’d say to treat failures as information. If a product or strategy doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean you aren’t cut out for it. It means you’re learning what to do differently.
The second is financial literacy, which I am still actively building. I had to push myself to learn about profit margins, expenses, and pricing, and those topics felt overwhelming at first. I’m not an expert, but every step has given me more clarity. My advice is to start small. Track one simple number, like cost per item, and build from there.
The third is storytelling. I am still learning how to share my brand in a way that feels both authentic and compelling. People don’t just buy a plush or a blanket. They buy the feeling behind it and the care that went into making it. I’ve had to practice putting that into words, and I’m still getting better at it. If you are just starting out, don’t overthink it. Speak about your work the way you would to a friend and let the polish come later.
These three qualities, one that I rely on daily and two that I am still learning, keep me moving forward and remind me that growth is part of the process.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Looking back, three things have been the most impactful in my journey: adaptability, financial literacy, and storytelling.
Adaptability came first. In both nursing and business, plans rarely go as expected. You have to be willing to shift, test, and try again without letting setbacks derail you. For someone just starting, I’d say to treat failures as information. If a product or strategy doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean you aren’t cut out for it. It means you’re learning what to do differently.
The second is financial literacy, which I am still actively building. I had to push myself to learn about profit margins, expenses, and pricing, and those topics felt overwhelming at first. I’m not an expert, but every step has given me more clarity. My advice is to start small. Track one simple number, like cost per item, and build from there.
The third is storytelling. I am still learning how to share my brand in a way that feels both authentic and compelling. People don’t just buy a plush or a blanket. They buy the feeling behind it and the care that went into making it. I’ve had to practice putting that into words, and I’m still getting better at it. If you are just starting out, don’t overthink it. Speak about your work the way you would to a friend and let the polish come later.
These three qualities, one that I rely on daily and two that I am still learning, keep me moving forward and remind me that growth is part of the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.knotsinthesky.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knotsinthesky/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17Eomqp5vv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
Photo credit: Sky, Knots in the Sky Handmade
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