Carrie Knezevic, of Concord Township, started her Etsy shop less than a year ago. After visiting the ‘Today Show’ plaza, she can’t keep her sweaters in stock.
LAKE COUNTY, Ohio — It’s not every day that a simple hobby catapults someone into the national spotlight, but that’s exactly what happened for Carrie Knezevic in an unforgettable moment on “The Today Show” earlier this month.
“I just couldn’t have imagined what would’ve happened in the last week,” she told 3News in a recent interview. “It’s been crazy.”
Carrie’s unexpected journey began less than a year ago.
“I kind of needed a creative outlet,” she said, explaining how she was inspired by cute yarn-embroidered sweaters she saw online. Wanting to make something unique for her daughters, she learned how to make them herself.
As her creations took shape, word quickly spread through her circle of friends and family, and demand for her sweaters grew. This encouraged Carrie to open an Etsy shop, and The Cozy Rose Handmade was born.
Fast forward to three weeks ago, when Carrie and her husband planned a trip to New York City. She brought along two of her custom sweaters, hoping to give them to Hoda Kotb, a longtime inspiration.
“When I heard that Hoda was going to be leaving ‘The Today Show,’ I just knew I had to try to make it there to try to meet her,” Knezevic said. “I just really, really love Hoda, and I really look up to her.”
In a serendipitous twist of fate, Carrie not only got to meet Hoda but also handed over custom sweaters she had made for her two daughters. One sweater said “Hailey,” the other “Hope.”
“I was just holding them with me hoping to maybe pass them off to her,” Carrie recalled.
And pass them off she did, but what followed next was something beyond what she could have expected.
After meeting Hoda and giving her the sweaters on camera, co-host Savannah Guthrie, asked her if she had an Etsy shop.
“I told her, ‘Oh, don’t mention it. You don’t have to mention it on air or anything,'” Carrie said.
But Savannah was persistent. The result? An immediate surge in orders.
Life has been a bit of a whirlwind since that unforgettable moment.
“Completely sold out, completely maxed out,” Knezevic said with a laugh. “I hope to be doing a restock soon.”
Although she’s currently overwhelmed with demand, Knezevic remains grateful for the sudden rise in her business. As she reflects on the entire experience, she acknowledges the pivotal role that Hoda played in this chapter of her life, even as she plans to start the next chapter of hers while stepping away from her anchor role in January.
“I wish her the best of luck. Sometimes you have to make choices and decisions, what’s best for your family,” Carrie added. “Hoda is kind of on top of the world right now. She’s leaving at the top of the wave, so it’s very exciting for her, and I’m very happy for her.”
For Carrie, the excitement in where her business can go next is just beginning. She says she’s “bursting with gratitude” and is still reflecting on that unexpected moment in the spotlight. “I’m very grateful.”
Cozy Rose Handmade will be featured on ‘Hoda and Jenna’ on Friday, Nov. 29 as part of a Small Business Saturday segment, and keep an eye out for a restock here in the new year.
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