Artisan, hand-painted yarn is a premier product for knitters, highly coveted for its unique attributes and character. Paula and Stephen Farrar of Charlotte, Maine, a small town in rural Washington County, capitalized on the market demand for this niche product to build a successful business.

Former organic sheep farmers, the Farrars purchase almost all of their wool from small domestic farms in the area. With help from CEI’s Women’s Business Center (WBC), the Farrars built their fledgling home business from the ground up, starting in their basement in 2011. Four years later, Paula and Stephen were recognized as the New England and Maine SBA 2015 Home-Based Business Champions of the Year and subsequently moved Done Roving into a 5,000 square-foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

“Running any business is challenging. Running a business with your spouse can be even more so. Ruth [Cash-Smith] helped us build on our individual strengths and kept us focused on our plan and growth strategy. She understood the nature of our business as well as our challenges and opportunities.” –Paula Farrar

“With a strategic plan, diligence, and creativity, the Farrars methodically grew their business, taking on sales representatives from competitors who had closed and innovating with new products,” says WBC Business Counselor Ruth Cash-Smith.