Sew Much More

Carol Blow is the owner of a retail workroom – CMB Designs, LLC -- located in Richmond, Virginia. She started her business in 2018. Carol learned to sew at an early age. Her zest for learning new techniques, combined with a can-do attitude, provided the foundation for her business … along with years of experience! Creating custom items gives her great joy and satisfaction. Carol has been a member of WCAA since 2019 and currently serves as Vice President of the local Richmond Chapter.   Links and Resources; Donna Skufis   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting  ...

David Reinholtz runs the Instagram page @rags_byreinholtz, where he specializes in vintage garment repair and restoration. He has been working in the field full-time for nearly two years and finds great satisfaction in saving pieces that might otherwise be destined for the trash. David especially enjoys working with collectors and others who recognize the value of preserving vintage garments. His philosophy is simple: Always repair before you replace.

On today's episode, Susan Woodcock and I talk about the Opportunities in education, specifically the Custom Workroom Conference and how important it is to our industry.

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  

The book that talked about knowing when you would die is called The Measure by Nikki Erlich.

The card game that Jeanelle used to ask the questions is LikeU.

Susan Gee is the owner of Susan Gee Interiors in Oswego, Oregon.  Susan has a degree in textiles from the University of Oregon and has been making beautiful window treatments since 1996.  A few breaks in her home-based business to take care of some family needs has not stopped her from keeping her connections and relationships in the Interior Design Industry.    Susan loves a challenge and her tagline is, "Helping you Love where you Live!"   Links and Resources; The Curtain & Soft Furnishings Resource Library ASID Northwest Society of Interior Designers   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom...

you can dowload the list here.

Nicole Bedard is a brand photographer, video storyteller, and educator specializing in visual storytelling for makers, artists, and creative business owners. Through photography, video, and social media strategy, she helps businesses showcase the craftsmanship and stories behind their work in a way that builds connection and visibility online.   Nicole Beadard Photo + Video Nicole is on Instagram   Links and Resources; The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Creative Calling by Chase Jarvis

Irina Otto is the owner of IRICHKA Custom Window Coverings, a licensed and bonded California contractor specializing in luxury custom draperies, shades, motorization, bedding, and soft furnishings. With more than 22 years of experience, she has built her business from a small garage operation into a respected full-service firm serving high-end residential projects.     Known for blending artistry with technical expertise, Irina is passionate about elevating the window treatment industry and redefining it as both a skilled trade and an art form. She remains actively involved in every stage of a project, from design and engineering to installation and client service. A st...

In 2013, Carrie bought her first sewing machine to begin making décor items for her home. Having always been crafty, this was another creative outlet for her and she soon fell in love with creating beautiful items out of fabric.  A year later, Carrie took her sewing skills to the next level by opening her own creative design business, Studio B Custom Drapery & Decor.

Links and Resources;

The Custom Workroom Conference

Craftsy

HACDA

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  

Theresa Harmon is a graphic designer turned one-woman drapery and soft furnishings workroom. She loves transforming beautiful fabric into custom creations not found in the mass retail market. Theresa works with retail clients, a handful of decorators, and her daughter Lee, owner/designer at Contented Interiors, and her other daughter Nivette who is her project manager. Her husband is her admin, on-site measurer, foam cutter, bookkeeper and tax man. Theresa grew up with an artistic mother who kept her supplied with a plethora of arts and crafts kits. She learned to sew at summer camp and through middle school home e...

Born and raised in England, Denise pursued studies in child development and education following her primary schooling. Throughout her life, her dual passions for sewing and childcare have been enduring themes. Today, she is the proud mother of four and a blessed Nana to seven. 
Life is a gift, and has a way of taking us along a journey that evolves and Denise has learned to embrace that journey through the good times and the challenging times. 
Denise's love for sewing began in childhood, inspired by her mother's sewing classes and school curriculum in England. What started as...

Jill Ballew brings more than 30 years of experience in the custom window treatment and soft furnishings industry. She is the owner of High Country Drapery Design and The Workroom Collective, two companies built around craftsmanship, service, and a deep respect for the details that make interiors feel truly finished.

Through The Workroom Collective, Jill partners with interior designers and trade professionals across the country, providing expertly crafted drapery, Roman shades, bedding, pillows, top treatments, and custom soft goods. Her work blends the artistry of traditional fabrication with the structure, systems, and communication needed to serve today's high-end...

Chester A. France, Jr. is a Veteran Small Business Owner, a Certified Life
Coach (CLC), Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master Social Work (MSW), and
Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS).
Mr. France has more than 30 years of professional experience in
sales, sales training, and management in the for-profit sector. For
more than 15 years, Mr. France has provided management and
technical assistance to nonprofit organizations, particularly in the
faith-based community, to include establishing several nonprofit 501(c) (3)
corporations. 
Mr. France is a graduate of Morgan State University with a degree in Business a...

Over his 40+-year career, Sohn Lewis has reupholstered thousands of pieces of furniture and other items, including antiques, walls, and automobile and boat interiors. One of his more notable projects includes upholstering hundreds of replicated seats for the 2000s renovation of Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. His work also appears in the Smithsonian Institution, a few embassies, and the Maryland governor's office, Senate chambers, and statehouse. He's done work for Joseph Furniture Restoration (Columbia), Johnson Berman (Baltimore), Ibello Upholstery (Baltimore), and Iatesta Studio (Kent Island). He is the lead upholsterer and instructor at The Cavanagh House in Baltimore.   The S...

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  

Heidi Wenger Yoder is the owner of Smithland Custom Interiors in Harrisonburg, VA. which is celebrating 20 years of operation.  Heidi's husband, Brent, is an invaluable member of her team as chief installer and cornice board fabricator.  Her three teenage children pitch in on occasion as directors of recycling, dust bunny chasing, and van loading. Heidi is passionate about helping her clients live more fully in their homes and creating beauty in the process.   Heidi is on Instagram  and Facebook   The website below is currently under construction by Kate the Socialite and should be up and running soon My old site, www.seams...

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  

Rachel Bristow has been married to her husband, Victor, for 16 years, and together they share a large and close-knit family of 11 children and 13 grandchildren.

She has owned her business, Creative Cousins Sewing for 12 years, transitioning to full-time drapery work over the past two years. Sewing is deeply rooted in her background—she comes from a long line of skilled seamstresses. Her mother, a gifted bridal specialist, had an exceptional talent for altering any type of garment.

After becoming a widow, she learned tailoring from her mother as a way to support her six children. That ex...

Ruti is a Brooklyn-based upholsteress and the founder of Find The Thread Upholstery. Known for her bold use of color and pattern, she helps clients fall back in love with the furniture they already own, transforming pieces in a way that feels joyful and personal. Her process is designed to be approachable and low-stress, while keeping quality furniture out of the landfill through thoughtful, design-forward restoration. You can see her work on her website or on Instagram @findthethread.   The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnish...

Dennis Locke is a 3rd generation furniture upholsterer in Greenville, Tx. Serving the Dallas area. He came into the family business as a child, and has doing it professionally for over 40 years. Dennis took over the business in '97, when his mother passed. He does commercial and residential furniture, as well as specializing in repair and foam replacement.  You can find Dennis at Payne's Upholstery.  For some insight into Dennis's writing ability, be sure to visit his About Us Page.

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  

Abby Glassenberg is the co-founder and president of Craft Industry Alliance, the trade association for the crafts industry. The organization has over 2,000 members in all different sectors. She's also a sewing pattern designer, teacher, and journalist. Abby lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts with her husband, three children, and a rescue dog named Steve. You can reach Abby at https://abby@craftindustryalliance.org/   Abby is on Instagram

Whitney Kaufman is the owner of Whitney Kaufman Designs in Grand Rapids, MI.  Whitney is a busy wife and mother of four teenagers. As a teacher turned stay-at-home-mom she began sewing shortly after her oldest daughter was born, and for years she enjoyed sewing Halloween costumes for her brood. Over the years she tried her hand at making both Roman shades and quilts. At the suggestion of some friends, she began looking into ways to turn her passion for sewing and decorating into a career. In December 2020 she opened Whitney Kaufman Designs. Whitney quickly jumped on the opportunity to join t...

Hollie Rich is the president and founder of Stuck on Hue, a concierge service for people decorating without the help of a professional interior designer. Hollie believes good design is for everyone, so her mission is to break down barriers design enthusiasts face when decorating on their own. She provides expert guidance, and helps them procure to-the-trade products that will make their homes feel special.   Hollie is on Instagram and Facebook   Resources and Links;   Workroom Tech   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  ...

With over two decades of experience as a workroom owner, Hope Arbery understands the reality of running a custom workroom - the long hours, the pricing uncertainty, and the pressure to get everything right. She founded QUIPA, a software built for workrooms that streamlines and automates quoting, work orders, and project management all in one place so workroom owners can stop carrying around details in their heads, and finally work with clarity instead of chaos. Hope's focus is equipping workrooms to not just survive, but thrive in today's modern business world with confidence, professionalism, and profit. QUIPA, a long awaited...

Ann Mautz is the owner of Madison Avenue Designs and lives in Chillicothe, Ohio, approximately 45 miles south of Columbus. She has been in business since 1984 and holds an Associate degree in Interior Design.

Ann has built her career working primarily from her home, offering retail services that include hard goods, custom window treatments, and bedding. In 1994, she expanded her business to include upholstery, and today her workroom is located in a dedicated space attached to her garage.

Her business is predominantly retail-focused, and she specializes in in-home consultations, allowing her to work closely with clients...

Will Hanke has two passions: supporting our US veterans and helping window treatment and awning businesses tell their story online – providing them with increased exposure, more customers, and higher revenues. For over twenty-seven years he has helped mom & pops, startups, and multi-million dollar companies with their digital marketing strategies. Will hosts monthly online training events and has spoken at conferences across the US on a wide variety of topics from analytics to lead generation through his company, Window Treatment Marketing Pros. Will teaches and helps these business owners learn more about SEO and make better decisions with their marketing do...

Riana LeJeune is an award-winning upholsterer, entrepreneur, and founder of Repinned Luxury Upholstery, a nationally recognized workroom known for preserving craftsmanship while pushing the industry forward. With over a decade in the skilled trades, Riana has built one of the country's first registered upholstery apprenticeship programs and is passionate about elevating artisan work through education, sustainability, and fair pricing. She's also the founder of Renewabl, a tech platform helping furniture professionals visualize design, close sales with confidence, and build more profitable businesses. Riana is a fierce advocate for neuro-inclusivity, skilled trades, women-led businesses, and proving that craftsmanship a...

Thank you so much for being on this journey with me!

Links and Resources;

Episode 113 - Opportunity Thinking Series with Jeanelle Dech - Feedback, Failure, Bankruptcy and Girl Scout Cookies

What a fun podcast this was to record!

Thanks to the Jersey Girls for taking time to chat with me!

Irene Hurley Designs

Instagram: @irenehurleydesigns

Interior Couture for Cottage and Castle

Irene Hurley Designs is a boutique design and sewing studio offering custom window coverings, interior accessories, and artisan quilts.

Sue Berry - Designer and fabricator in business for 13 years

Sew Stylish Designs Llc

www.sewstylish.org

Diana Nolan

Diana Nolan Custom windows...

Links and Resources;

Link to Daniel Pink's Video

The Twelve Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington

(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!)

Here are the three questions:

If the Sew Much More Podcast has played a role in your journey in any way, I hope you'll consider participating.

Here are the three questions:

Mandy Szigethy discovered upholstery while completing her Theater Technology degree at Indiana University and decided to forsake the stage in favor of the workshop.  She has had the unique opportunity to work in both furniture manufacturing at Beachley Furniture and now custom upholstery as the owner of Rose City Upholstery in Portland.  She has received training in both modern materials and traditional methods through Upholstery Education and is now able to apply time tested techniques to all of her projects.  Her love of learning lead to her to co-ownership of Upholstery Education in 2025 where she hopes to foster the sam...

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 cli...

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...