457 - Karen Swerling - There are Always Five Solutions to Every Problem

Amy Sadera began Windows By Amy in her home in Phoenix, MD in 2017; focusing on window treatments, cushions, and pillows. Coming off a career in engineering to raise her children, Amy wanted to have a creative outlet, source of income and the flexibility that owning a workroom provided. She builds relationships with retail clients that involve designing, fabricating and installing her luxury custom products. Outside of the workroom, Amy enjoys cooking, gardening, and spending time with her husband, two children and pets.   You can find Amy on Facebook and 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    

Jenny Lilly is an interior artisan and designer specializing in window treatments and other soft home furnishings. She operates a full-service fabrication studio from Hickory, NC known as Grace by Design. She creates one-of-a-kind window treatments, bedding ensembles, table coverings, and pillows, while also offering blinds, shades, and shutters. Her clients are drawn to the inspiration, couture details, and functionality her creations bring to their homes. When Jenny is not creating with her hands, she enjoys a worthy cup of coffee, outdoor activities, and traveling alongside her husband, daughter, and their beloved vizsla, Baby Rey. Website – gracebydesign.net Instagram – jennylilly_gracebydesign Links and Resources; Redeeming Your Time by Jordan Raynor StrengthsFinder by Gallup Speed Adjustable Pleating Template Little Giant Ladder (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    

Joy Willbur started her business, Sew Joy,  in Lexington KY in 2006 with a desire to have a career that combined her passion for sewing with the flexibility she wanted as a mother. She loves to create gorgeous custom sewn décor. Joy works with designers, decorators, and homeowners as a partner to fabricate their designs. She loves to learn about new products and fabrication methods. Joy belongs to the WCAA (Window Coverings Association of America), the Kentucky Workroom Association, and the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library. You can find Joy on Facebook and 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    

Kate Greenawalt is Stout Textile’s Vice President and part of the fourth generation of family leadership at the brand. She started her career overseeing all of Stout’s showrooms and traveling with the sales team. Kate enjoys the travel and the opportunities to meet new people and cultivate not only a business relationship but friendships as well. When she is not immersed in work, Kate enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.   John Greenawalt is Stout Textile’s President and part of the fourth generation of family leadership at the brand. John began his career on the road servicing customers in eastern Pennsylvania and later in the design department, but he found his true passion when he was tasked with creating Stout’s website and growing our e-commerce. John continues to oversee the website along with daily operations. Johns four children and wife keep him busy when not in the office with sports and enjoying down time as a family. Stout is on Facebook and Instagram Links and Resources; The Excerpt Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Lindsey Kronmiller is the owner of Kronhaus Custom Works in Durham, North Carolina. After moving back to Durham from Atlanta, she sought a new career that combined textiles and project management skills, leveraging her background in technical theater production and entertainment marketing. With the help of a creative career coach, her eyes were open to the world of custom fabrication. She launched her custom soft furnishings studio in the beginning of 2023 with the support of an incredible network of mentors, teachers, family and friends.   You can find Lindsey on Instagram.   Links and Resources;   The Custom Workroom Conference Ann Johnson's Workroom Skills Training Profit First by Mike Michaelowicz The Twelve Week Year by Brian P. Moran     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    

Christina Nies is a former night shift labor and delivery nurse with 25 years of experience who has decided to embark on a new career path. She has launched a drapery and soft furnishing workroom called Night Shift Window Décor. Christina is a self-taught sewer with a long-standing passion for decorating and textiles. Her business caters to both retail and to-the-trade customers, providing a range of window treatment and soft furnishing services. Christina operates her workroom from a small space in the basement of her family home in Richmond, VA. She resides there with her husband, Nick, and their four children, whose ages range from 9 to 16.   You can find Christina on Instagram and her website.

  Karen Keech Swerling worked in Hollywood as a costume designer for three decades. She and her husband were looking for a change of pace in retirement, so eight years ago they traded their house in Malibu for an early 1900s Victorian in Richmond’s museum district. Keech Swerling converted the basement into a studio for her nonprofit, Richmond Really Sews!, and she offers free classes to anyone with a desire and a passion to sew. You can find Karen on IMDb Richmond Really Sews on FB and Instagram   Links and Resources; Metro Textiles -  Claire Schaffer Coture Sewing Techniques Shirtmaking - Developing Skills for Fine Sewing by David Page Coffin (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   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Links and Resources; https://www.weareteachers.com/womens-history-month-facts/ https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/womens-history-month-facts/ https://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/famous-firsts-in-womens-history https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/03/04/gender-pay-gap-in-us-has-narrowed-slightly-over-2-decades/#:~:text=The%20gender%20gap%20in%20pay,%2D%20and%20part%2Dtime%20workers.        

Michelle Moldowan of C'est Jolie Designs styles inspiring spaces, makes houses feel like homes, and owns and operates a custom drapery workroom in Castle Rock, CO. She delights in walking alongside homeowners as they plan and execute home projects from minor changes to whole house remodeling, as well as designing and fabricating bespoke window treatments across the country.   Using a design process carefully cultivated over 10 years in the industry, Michelle prides herself on listening carefully to homeowners to truly understand their lifestyle and design a space that not only meets theirs needs but tells their unique story. Michelle promises to have something on her Instagram account!   Links and Resources; A Well Designed Business Podcast Elki's Roman Shade class Ann Johnson ripple fold Profit First by Mike Michalowicz Bible Footprints of a Pilgrim: The Life and Loves of Ruth Bell Graham (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!)   Quickbooks and Minutes Matter Ghant charts for estimating Speed Pleating from Workroom Marketplace Döfix Quickbooks Merrill Y Landis Minutes Matter   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   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech    

Morris Mayer, Entrepreneur and Pastor. He is the CEO of Morris Mayer Services Group Inc., overseeing several small businesses and a charity. These include Plaza Park Interiors, a 12 year old custom drapery and upholstery workroom to the trade and contract accounts; Plaza Park Cleaning Services offering fine drapery and upholstery cleaning and stain shield fabric protector; Valley Interiors offering custom window treatments and upholstery in Northern New Jersey; the recently launched R2A Custom Furniture Frames offering Ready 2 Assemble high end custom furniture frames to smaller custom workrooms that may not have the space or carpenter on staff and has several new products and services to be released this year.   Morris has nearly four decades of experience in the design industry in every area from design to field installations. Morris is also a Lutheran pastor, a calling which  started at the same time he started his business, and recently celebrated his 10 year ordination anniversary in January. He co-founded Goons4Good.org, a charity that inspires community action like supporting local soup kitchens and those struggling in the community. We also support cancer patient and caregiver support, developmental and physical disabilities and Veterans' services.   Additionally, Morris manages the recently launched “The White Room at 707” a new showroom space dedicated to events such as educational workshops, live music and community events. Morris is known for out of the box thinking and connecting people to opportunities that foster their success and growth.   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/morris-mayer-b597aa1a   • Personal Facebook: Morris Mayer   • Plaza Park Interiors Facebook: Plaza Park Interiors   • Plaza Park Interiors Instagram: @plazaparkinteriors   Websites: www.morrismayer.com, www.plazaparkinteriors.com, www.R2Acustomframes.com, www.goons4good.org, www.ppiclean.com, www.valleyinteriors.com, www.whiteroom707.com   Links and Resources;   The Emyth Revisted by Michael Gerber