Sew Much More

The Opportunity Thinking Podcasts are sponsored by;       On Today’s podcast, Vita Vygovska, Jeanelle Dech, and Sue Fresconi talk about business growth. we talk about the decision to grow or not and how many factors and decisions are involved.  There is a lot to take in today Vita shares her growth risk analysis where she lists and ranks the pros and cons of the adding employees as a path for expanding her business. If you haven’t listened to Vita’s first podcast with me, number 63 be sure to listen to that as well.  We refer to a spreadsheet that Vita put together and if you go to http://www.curtainsandsoftfurnishingspro.org/ you can get a copy of the spreadsheet for free.    Jeanelle Dech is President and Co-Founder of Adaptive Textiles, an innovative textile printing company in West Chester, PA. She is a friendly and engaging speaker, known for her Fit-Like-a-Glove slipcovers, SPEED sewing method, and workroom profitability training. She is the creative inspiration behind The Workroom Channel's METHOD SHARE and REAL WORKROOM series (www.TheWorkroomChannel.com), and the new Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library (www.curtainsandsoftfurnishingspro.org), which hosts the industry's largest collection of educational resources for Home Décor Professionals.  I interviewed Jeanelle in podcast episode number 9.   Vitalia (Vita) Vygovska is the award-winning author, speaker, business coach, and window treatment specialist.  Her company, Vitalia, Inc.- Fine Window Treatments & Interiors, is an all-encompassing fabrication, measurement, and installation service, servicing exclusively interior designers and architects.  In business for almost 12 years, Vita and her team are proud to be experts in their niche field, providing their clients with superb quality product and excellent communication.  I interviewed Vita in podcast episode 63.   Sue Fresconi is the Librarian for the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library, and a Project Manager at Adaptive Textiles.  Sue has had an extensive corporate career in Human Resources, Training and Development, and Project Management.  She operated a home-based workroom on a part-time basis for several years.  Sue was selected to participate in the CHF Academy Alumni Showcase twice; creating her designs for exhibition at IWCE.  She holds a BS in Textiles from the University of Delaware, the PMP (Project Management Professional) designation from the Project Management Institute, and the CSM (Certified Scrum Master) designation from Scrum Alliance.   Please check out the Transparency Initiative!!  And please take the survey.   Here are links to some of the things we talked about;   Vita's Book  Michael Hyatt’s book Living Forward  If you would like to reach out to Vita, you can email her at  Vita@vitaliainc.com   

Vitalia (Vita) Vygovska is the award-winning author, speaker, business coach, and window treatment specialist.  Her company, Vitalia, Inc.- Fine Window Treatments & Interiors, is an all-encompassing fabrication, measurement, and installation service, servicing exclusively interior designers and architects.  In business for almost 12 years, Vita and her team are proud to be experts in their niche field, providing their clients with superb quality product and excellent communication. You can find Vita on Facebook.

Elizabeth Gerdes is the owner of Stitch Above The Rest, LLC, a full-service retail drapery fabrication studio, in Woodstock, GA, established in 2003. Elizabeth specializes in helping clients create their vision by offering high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail in every area, from design to fabrication, to installation. Her work has been noticed and published in numerous trade and local magazines. Elizabeth has won eight VISION awards, including Workroom of the Year 2017, multiple trade competitions, and several local “Best of” votes.  Elizabeth loves a good drapery challenge and doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. You can also find Elizabeth on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Houzz

Jonathan Bennet, owner of Unsprung Upholstery is originally from Martinsville, VA.  He caught the sewing bug from his great grandmother at a young age. He moved to Richmond, VA on a whim in August of 1989 and earned a BFA in Fashion Design from Virginia Commonwealth University. Directly after graduation, Jonathan taught in the Fashion Design department as an adjunct professor for 13 years. He started his first workroom job in 1997, learned how to make various types of window treatments, cushions, pillows, and more;  since then, he has done freelance workroom client projects in his home for over 25 years. Jonathan opened Unsprung Upholstery LLC in August 2019 and will continue this beautiful journey for the rest of his life!   Website:  UnsprungUpholstery.com IG:  UnsprungUpholstery FB:  Unsprung Upholstery Company   Links and Resources; The Custom Workroom Conference Window Covering Association of America Scholarship Info

LInks and Resources;   Ann Johnson's Three Strikes Article     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

    With over 30 years in the interior design industry, Bob Gallic has founded and led multiple successful firms specializing in custom upholstery, window treatments, and automated shading. His work spans major markets from New York and Miami to Chicago and Vail. Bob maintains close collaborations with clients and interior designers, working discreetly and efficiently to bring design visions to life while exceeding expectations every step of the way.   Workroom Services is on Instagram   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Rhonda Shanahan, owner of The Whimsical Chair, learned to sew growing up in Iowa from her grandmother and mother. They taught her their passion for sewing and creating with beautiful fabrics. Rhonda received her degree in fashion merchandising. After college she moved to Kansas and worked in retail sales and display. When Rhonda got married and started her family she was able to stay home with their 3 kids. Once her kids all started school she had extra time during the day. There was an upholstery class through her local extension office in Wichita Kansas so she decided to give it a try. Her first project was a wingback chair and she was hooked. She worked on several pieces for her own home. It was wonderful to be able to restore and refurbish antique and vintage chairs. Rhonda and her family moved to Colorado in 2012 and she continued to learn with upholstery education online. Friends and family started asking if she would do chairs and settees for their homes. This was the start of The Whimsical Chair. Links and Resources; Kim's Upholstery The Funky Little Chair Professional Upholsterers Network on Facebook link to estimate page on Rhonda's website QuickBooks Cognito forms National Upholstery Association Crest Leather Upholstery education Louise Cornick     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Stacy McAleer is the founder and executive director of The Cavanagh House, a vital resource to Baltimore and its surrounding areas, dedicated to helping individuals gain financial stability through the trade of upholstery and sewing. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and over 35 years as a self-taught sewer, Stacy brings both clinical insight and hands-on expertise to her leadership. Committed to helping revitalize the upholstery and sewing industries in Baltimore and throughout the U.S., The Cavanagh House serves as a feeder of skilled workers to the industry. Under Stacy’s guidance, the organization not only provides hands-on training but also fosters economic independence and long-term career pathways for its participants. A proud resident of Reisterstown, Maryland, Stacy continues to drive innovative solutions that uplift individuals and strengthen communities across the region.   You can find The Cavanagh House on Instagram. The Cavanagh House YouTube Channel Here is their Who We Are Video

Skye Livingston fell in love with fabrics and sewing at a young age and earned her BFA in Fiber Arts from the Kansas City Art Institute. Her journey to the soft furnishings world came by happenstance after a decade of navigating through fine arts, non-profit administration, education, and production dyeing and sewing.    While her first business (Hello Hue Studio) has been relegated to the back burner as she builds up her custom soft furnishings business, Livingston Textiles LLC, she still finds time to occasionally indulge in natural dyeing and teaching those skills to others.    Links and Resources;  (Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!)   Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big - Bo Burlingham   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Links and Resources; Brendan Burchard Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port 12 Months to $1 Million: How to Pick a Winning Product, Build a Real Business, and Become a Seven-Figure Entrepreneur by Ryan Daniel Moran   (Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!) Beth is offering a $10 discount to any listeners who order an apron.  Go to - www.handyhipster.com  and use the code SEWMUCHMORE10OFF

Donna Redmond is the owner of Undercover Sewing.  She has been a member of WCAA since 2016 and participates in ongoing professional education.  Donna loves to work with both to the trade interior designers and local homeowners.  Donna is always striving to provide high-quality window treatments, cushions, and/or pillows that transform a house into a special place for special people.  You are special!   Links and Resources; Association of Sewing and Design Professionals Women's Business Association of Maryland Susan Woodcock's Craftsy Classes Custom Workroom Conference Window Covering Association of America Comfortex Workroom Tours on the Library Ann Johnson's books on swags Susan Woodcock's book M'Fay manuals Kim's Upholstery Calendly EZ Pleat   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

  Jan Marie Larson is a silversmith. She makes sterling silver thimbles and sewing tools one-at-a-time by hand.  Her journey from Iowa farmer’s daughter to Fashion Designer/custom tailor to missionary in Africa to Organic Crop Inspector (while being a mother of 4) all culminated with an older neighbor calling up and saying: “I need help, you can learn this”.  Jan Agreed.  She learned silversmithing.     Jan's work can be found on the following Social Media sites; TikTok: @thimbles.for.you Instagram: @thimblesforyou Facebook: Thimbles For You YouTube: @thimblesforyou Pinterest: @thimblesforyouchatelainestoo Threads: @thimblesforyou Twitter/X: @thimblesforyou   Links and Resources;     Jinny Beyer website   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

        Links and Resources;   The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins IWCE Noteability One Drive Minutes Matter Amazon Sewing Kit (Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!)         The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Running a custom workroom means wearing all the hats—fabricator, business owner, problem-solver, and sometimes… Google detective. But what if you didn’t have to figure it all out on your own? In this episode, Ceil DiGuglielmo (your friendly industry Librarian) shares the real value of having a trusted place to turn for answers. You’ll hear stories from Library members, learn what kind of support actually moves the needle in your business, and discover why community and curated resources make all the difference. Whether you’re a long-time member of the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library or just curious about what’s behind the doors, this episode will leave you feeling supported, encouraged, and a little more empowered. 🧵 You don’t have to know everything. You just have to know where to look—and who to ask.  

Annette Faber is the owner of Kaylee’s Creations, LLC which provides custom window treatments, bedding, and other soft furnishings to interior designers. Kaylee’s Creations exists to support interior designers by providing exceptionally crafted soft furnishings. They strive to be part of the design team and to make their part of the process both enjoyable and stress-free for their client. They will go above and beyond to make sure that their client knows that they care about their business and how they are a reflection of them. Annette is a resident of Greenville, SC and is a wife, mother to 4 children and 2 grandchildren, and is very active in her church as a member of the worship team and in the singles Sunday school class. Yep! Married and in the single’s class, serving people of all ages and in all stages of life. Annette is on Facebook and Instagram Links and Resources; Scarlet Thread Consulting Overcoming Underearning by Barbara Stanny         The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

  Selina Scott is the owner of Blueprint Custom Furnishings, a custom workroom and upholstery studio in Beaverton, Oregon. While her business is only three years old, she has 19 years of custom fabrication experience from her employment at a workroom in Portland and then working on the side while being a stay-at-home parent. She enjoys sewing all kinds of things for herself and family, gardening, knitting, and camping road trips. Facebook and Instagram Links and Resources; The Artists JD  The Custom Workroom Conference SCORE    The Spruce Uholstery Book by Amanda Brown   (Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!)   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Bree Bacon is a dynamic business leader, speaker, and author with over two decades of experience at leading organizations. She holds an MBA from Duke University and a BA in Business/Economics and Music from Wheaton College. A survivor of stage three, triple-negative breast cancer, Bree brings grit, grace, and deep gratitude to her mission: helping people rise above burnout and tap into their personal best capacity. Her debut book, Your Elite Energy, launches June 2025. In physics, energy is the capacity to do work; elite means the best or most effective. Together, Your Elite Energy is about just that — investing in your personal best capacity. Bree is a passionate advocate for the belief that well-being isn’t a luxury — it’s a crucial driver of capacity and potential in every area of life. Through her speaking and facilitation, she equips individuals, teams, and organizations to recharge, refocus, and ignite what makes them thrive. Bree is a proud military spouse — her husband, Neil, serves full-time in the Air National Guard — and together they’re raising their much-loved daughter, Eliana. Learn more at www.BreeBacon.com.   Links and Resources; Your Elite Energy: A Blueprint to Break Free from Burnout and Restore Your Vitality by Bree Bacon   The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger   The Body Keeps Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk MD   You can find Bree on the following Social Media Platforms; Instagram Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Amazon

  When Madison Stauffer graduated from Kent State in 2021 with an architecture degree, she decided to combine her sense of design and love of vintage furniture with her fledgling upholstering skills. Enter Ohio Workroom in Canton, Ohio, where she’s worked for three years. Among her other duties, she helps customers find the perfect fabric for their specific pieces, with considerations given for durability, the furniture’s original character, how it will be used, and how a fabric will lay across it. She also creates vision boards to help customers visualize fabric combinations and help them make confident decisions.  Links and Resources; Adam Hoover - Somehow Furniture Found Me Ohio Workroom is on Instagram and Facebook Main Street Modern is on Instagram and Facebook Custom Workroom Conference The Style Sourcebook by Judith Miller (Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!)   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech