Remember playing make-believe as a kid? My sisters and I played endless games of "house," "school," and even "store" -- all with wildly variable story lines, characters, props and costumes.

But did you ever play "Catalog Company with Loads of Loyal Customers"?

Meet a woman whose childhood imaginative play led her to her dream.

Erika Jennifer Kemp, 32, a married mom of two living in Berkeley, California, owns Oishii Handmade (say "oy-she"), a small business that creates gorgeous, handmade, eco-friendly knits for women and children.

"I believe the games children play are the seeds of their future dreams and ambitions," says Erika. "That as children we already know what we were born to do. I have taken on the challenge of reigniting those childhood games in my daily life through Oishii."

The company was born two years ago from Erika's idea that every baby needs "a beautiful, all-natural, incredibly soft knit cap to welcome them into the world and keep their noggins warm," she says, "and to have a memento of just how small they were at the beginning of their journey!"

Since then, Oishii has grown to include a selection of limited edition, eco-friendly knits for women and children -- and the company has been attracting legions of Bay-Area (and online) fans. (See http://shopoishiihandmade.bigcartel.com/ to buy.)

Some of Erika's biggest fans might well be her business associates. "I work closely with each of our artisan knitters and hand finishers to provide training and mentoring in developing the confidence, skills and experience necessary to pursue their professional dreams," says Erika.

While Erika's designs are informed by her years of international travel and study (in India, Europe and North Africa), she says that "we only make things that touch our hearts and conjure up memories and fantasies from when we were young." Themes that inspire her work, she says, include "love, joy, happiness, seeing your child's face for the first time, comfort, sweetness, and romance."

What's your greatest passion?

"I feel like I'm as much a business coach to creative women as I am an entrepreneur. If you've got passion and you're willing to work hard, I can help you. I believe in people. We all have a unique story."

What drives you crazy?

"Conformity for the sake of conformity."

What have you learned as a mother and an entrepreneur that you'd like to pass on to others?

"Never quit, and remember to laugh -- early and often!"

What fun things do you like to do with your family?

"Cook, hike, create silly artwork."

What celebrity would you like to meet, and why?

"Rei Kawakubo. She's my ultimate design superhero!"




Lea Curtes-Swenson is a happy, independent copywriter and married mom of two girls. Hire her at Lea Writes, or read her sporadic-but-heartfelt personal blog posts at Lea's Blogging Life.