Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Co-founder and Owner of The Stitchery in Rome, Stephanie Bradshaw joins the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast to discuss shop services, products and running a small business during a pandemic. Bradshaw joins hosts Carol Morgan and Todd Schnick for the Around Atlanta segment.
Carrying two brands of sewing machines, Janome and Baby Lock, The Stitchery has been a small business marvel near downtown Rome for nine years. Classes, events and one-on-one training only scratch the surface of what The Stitchery offers customers. The store supports anything and everything sewing-related.
“It all comes together, but there’s a lot of wheels in motion,” Bradshaw said. “We offer a lot!”
Originally located on Broad Street in downtown Rome, its new location on Central Plaza is still near the hustle and bustle of Rome with more space for classes and an in-house machine repair shop.
The purchase of a machine at The Stitchery comes with a complimentary entry-level sewing class. The considerable repertoire of classes includes embroidery, sewing, quilting and the basics. Participants bring their machines to learn essential sewing tasks, such as sewing a button on or taking up a hem.
With her experience running a female-owned small business, Bradshaw says the best perk is her independence. After her business partner retired three years ago, she assumed sole partnership and oversaw more aspects of her business, as well as relied on herself more.
The past year presented many problems for businesses globally, but 2020 also brought a new generation of people who love to sew. It all began with wanting to lend a hand with mask making, creating a brand-new sewing trend. While this may have died down, the movement transformed into a new hobby during the initial lockdown. From 12- to 65-years-old, new customers explored the world of sewing and quilting.
Bradshaw shared she also supports other small embroidery businesses by selling top-of-the-line machines and supplies.
While apparel sewing was replaced by fast fashion, creating bags, embroidering shirts and crafting items are taking off thanks to platforms like Pinterest and Etsy. As the industry progresses, so do its tools – rotary blades, rulers and heat-proof pins are more efficient than ever.
“When you are making something for somebody, it is truly a gift of love,” Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw predicts apparel is on the rise and quilting is more popular than ever! Lockdown brought a greater appreciation for creativity and people yearned for the slow process and mindfulness of sewing and quilting.
Recently featured in the University of Georgia Alumni magazine, Bradshaw also received a spotlight in the Bulldog 100 in 2018 and 2019, all incredible honors! She credits grit, determination and her admirable staff and clientele for the increasing success of Rome’s modern quilting shop.
To visit The Stitchery online and shop the extensive catalog, visit www.TheStitcheryRome.com. Shop fabrics, machines and more on the brand-new app available for Apple and Android and interact on Facebook for updates on classes, products and shop news.
Never miss an episode of Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio! Subscribe to the podcast here. You can also get a recap of any past episode on the Radio page. Listen to the full interview above!
Georgia Residential Mortgage Licensee, License #22564. NMLS ID #6606. Subject to borrower and property qualifications. Not all applicants will qualify. The Stitchery and New American Funding are not associated. Click here to view the terms and conditions of products mentioned during the show. Corporate office 14511 Myford Rd., Suite 100, Tustin, CA 92780. Phone: (800) 450-2010. (November/2021)
New American Funding is a family-owned mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 123,000 loans for $30.4 billion, 198 branches, and about 3,100 employees. The company offers several niche loan products and has made Inc. 5000’s list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America six times. It has a state-of-the-art career training facility and develops innovative technology, including the GoGo LO mobile application. For more information, visit www.branch.newamericanfunding.com/Atlanta.
The Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio “All About Real Estate” segment, presented by Denim Marketing, highlights the movers and shakers in the Atlanta real estate industry – the home builders, developers, Realtors and suppliers working to provide the American dream for Atlantans. For more information on how you can be featured as a guest, contact Denim Marketing at 770-383-3360 or fill out the Atlanta Real Estate Forum contact form. Subscribe to the Atlanta Real Estate Forum Radio podcast on iTunes, and if you like this week’s show, be sure to rate it.
