Chisara Iwuagwu: Discover the journey from an elementary classroom to making ugly sweaters

After Chisara Iwuagwu and a couple of friends lost their jobs in 2010, she decided that a party with little or no drama, was in order, with a few requirements that would lead to the birth of a business.

The ugly sweater tradition/trend, which has quickly become a norm has far humbler beginnings than most of us would think, beginning with an young Nigerian Lady based in Los Angeles.

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After Chisara Iwuagwu, an elementary school teacher, and a couple of friends lost their jobs in 2010, she decided that a party with little or no drama, was in order, with a few requirements that would lead to the birth of a business.

The requirements for the party included: oversize sweaters in festive shades, ornaments, sewing kit and glue gun.

The party yielded a couple of ugly sweaters and a very relaxed ambiance that gave birth to the idea of saving during the Christmas festivities than spending more on gifts.

Speaking with CNN on how her business began, Iwuagwu said:

"I wanted to take the pressure off and said, 'No one's buying anything; no one's spending any money. You're going to regift something in your closet, a gift from Grandma that you didn't really love, but somebody else might.'"

Shop Ugly Sweaters was launched online in 2011 and quickly became a pop-up store during the holiday season of 2012.

According to Iwuagwu, business has never been better, thanks to the growing popularity of ugly sweaters even as it has become a Christmas trend in the Western region.

It has trend has crossed over from the grandma's closet idea into a popular culture, growing into big business.

During holiday gatherings all over the America, people are now seen taking ugly sweater cues from their favorite Hollywood stars, including pop queen, Beyonce, who has jumped on the trend.

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Shop Ugly Sweaters is now in its fourth year and has never been better, and whats better, is the fact that everyone can jump on the trend either by making one themselves or simply placing an order for one.