Schedule This!

Deciding to leave the accounting profession after 36 years, was easy! 

Face it, doing something you went to school for, while moonlighting with what you love, makes the transition so much easier. I have done both for so long, but Covid made me examine what was important to me.

For me, making my own hours, finally finding a studio space outside my home, and designating time for myself, was a no brainer. Plus, doing what I love, makes me happy! I get hugs instead of scowls telling someone how much they owe the IRS! 

Scheduling - this is still evolving

I finally have my booking calendar the way I like it. I have some daytime appointments and some evenings. But not every day. No weekends until Sunday night. People book online - most of them. And this works! It's when people call, text or email me to schedule, that throws me off. I am very accommodating for students, nurses and others with odd schedules. So, I schedule "outside" of my normal appointment times. I'll go in on a Saturday morning - but no later than 9AM. I like to have my weekends like everyone else, and I stick to it, unless it's a rainy day and I've got lots to do, then I don't mind going in. 

I find I also have to schedule MY time. This is the tricky part!  I TRY to set aside time for yoga, going home for lunch, visiting my parents and kids, food shopping, riding my bike and other activities I might want to do during the week. Yes, I schedule lunch! Sometimes I have to cancel my scheduled activities if I'm too busy, but I prefer to stick to my schedule if at all possible. 

I also found that I needed to take a break in my busiest time of year! This year I took 4 days off and I went away - on a plane, to do absolutely nothing, with some very good friends. No plans, no worries, just time to chill. Yes, I still had a lot to do when I left, but I'm glad I took the break - I needed it - to clear my head. And believe it or not, I didn't stress over what I had to get done when I got back! I felt relaxed and recharged! 

Custom/Redesign

I am now in my 2nd year full time with my business - and it is growing! I'm even getting more custom work, which I'm trying to navigate. How many custom things can I juggle during my busiest time of year? While I didn't go to school for sewing/design, after 25+ years, of doing creative work, I am still evolving and learning as I go. It's an exciting time for me! 

Focus - I can't do everything!

I used to take everything, all the time, because I wasn't so busy, and it was my side hustle. But I have decided that I found my niche. I'm a bridal seamstress. That's what I love to do, so that's what I've become good at! I'll work on anything bridal - wedding gown, bridesmaid, mothers of bride and groom, and flower girl dresses. I've decided what I'm good at and am sticking to that! 

Certain things I am now saying NO to. For example, I don't alter jackets, of any kind. The only menswear I'll take, are pants hems. I don't replace zippers and I don't replace linings. I also don't make curtains or do any upholstery anymore. Those are specialized items as well, and while I did enjoy making home fashions, these are things that I don't do enough of to be good at them, so I have people that I recommend for those, and I'm happy about that. I'd rather pass something up, than do a terrible job for someone. And, in my busiest time of year - March through October - I won't take anything that's not bridal related. Famous last words....(I DO give preference to existing clients, if I have the time)

I never thought I'd end up here, but here I am!

I have found that the key to being happy, is doing what you love to do. For so many years I just did what I was taught and told to do, while I was doing what I loved on the side. I'm so happy I made the transition.  I believe I am healthier and happier because of it!

Thanks for reading :)

You can't make a living!

 Recently I was speaking with a family friend. He called to ask me if I found a bracelet at my house, where he had been for a cookout. It was important to him because his brother made it. He went on to say that although he likes to make these, he still has a job, because he can't make a living doing that. Then he said to me, "I'm sure you know about that with your sewing". I corrected him saying that my sewing IS my full time job now, and he was really surprised about that!

Why is it that people can't believe that this is a real business for me? What surprises me the most, is people who aren't my customers, like friends and some family members, still don't get it! I am busy enough to be renting a space outside my home. People will call or text me and ask "are you busy?" 

I'm at my studio during the week, usually every day either for appointments or to do my work. I'm there some nights as well. Definitely at least 40 hours a week, and more during my busiest times (prom, spring and fall weddings). I try not to work Friday night through Sunday nights. Sometimes I'll go in for a Saturday morning "pick up" if that's the best time for my customer. Sunday nights I'll take appointments, and get work done for the upcoming week. However, this year I decided to not take appointments on Sundays for the month of August, through Labor Day. I like to have the flexibility to go away in the summer just like anyone else!!! 

How do I run my business? 

I have carved out a niche in the tailoring business. I take appointments at night, as well as during the day. My working brides love this! Most people who do alterations, only take daytime and weekday appointments, meaning brides have to take time off of work. I've done this for years, and people love that I have evening times during the week as well as on Sundays.

Online booking has worked for me for well over 10 years now. I set the days/times I'll take appointments, and sometimes when I'm real busy, I will block off times so people can't make appointments!!!  It's pretty cool actually. I also set up reminders - text and email - so people are reminded of their upcoming appointment! My customers love this feature. 

I've decided to specialize in everything bridal, and making custom christening gowns. Sure, I get the occasional basic alterations, but it's few and far between. My rack is full of gown bags!

Christening Gown

https://www.instagram.com/p/CvFD3aHuqq8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA=

I have a business certificate from the city, and am a chamber member.

I take all forms of payment including Venmo! 

So, that's my business - come see me sometime in my studio!!! I'd love to show you around the creative space I call my home!

 

So, are you still sewing?

This is a question I get ALL THE TIME! From family, friends, co-workers, neighbors. Family is the kicker!

I really don’t understand why I am not taken seriously. YES. I am still sewing. In fact, in 2019 I moved my sewing area out of my home and began renting space in an arts center in the middle of my town! in 2021, I was busier than ever with brides that postponed from 2020 as well as current year brides and bridal parties! It was my full time job, working more than 40 hours a week between my appointments and getting the work done! 2022 to date, I have already equaled my 2021 revenue and have had more brides to date as compared to 2021, and it's only August! 

I think sewing in and of itself carries a stigma. Honestly, who does that anymore? And if you do, and make money at it, you would be working for someone else, right? Well, I did work for a tailor, once, after my first child was born, over 30 years ago, and my mom offered to babysit for the day so I could get back to work. I worked for him about 6 months, until he wasn’t busy enough for me to work there anymore. I did learn some industry tips from him though and was grateful for the experience of working for this tailor.

From that point on, I had friends, family and neighbors who “knew I could sew”, ask me to do basic alterations, and I did place an ad in the local newspaper to generate some business. I charged next to nothing, mostly because I liked it and wanted to get referred, and was not in tune with what to charge.

In the years following, I had researched what other shops charge, and have adjusted my prices accordingly, to be competitive. It seemed that I was getting a lot of generous “tips”, so I figured maybe my prices were too low.  Conversely, sometimes when you charge too little, I think people assume your work isn’t that good. Now, I feel I have competitive rates, while still staying lower than most of my competitors.

 

Over 30 years I have been sewing for others – OVER 30 YEARS!

Why do people still ask me if I’m busy?

How busy am I? Well, enter the digital world.

 

I get recommended online ALL THE TIME. Melrose and surrounding towns have “community pages” on Facebook, where people ask “can anyone recommend a seamstress for bridal alterations” or similar questions. My name gets mentioned all the time, by several people on the same post. I keep my Facebook page up to date by posting photos of all the bridal gowns I work on, as well as some of the other alterations I do that I think may be of interest. And my recommendations on Yelp have steered customers my way as well.

 

click on the picture!

I was contacted in 2021 by someone who follows my Instagram account, asking me to make a christening gown and accessories, from her wedding gown. She SHIPPED her wedding gown to me from New Jersey and paid me my required deposit without blinking an eye. I stayed in contact with the progress, sending pictures and checking in on baby’s measurements. When it was complete, it was packaged carefully and shipped everything back. Baby’s mom was very pleased with all the pieces of the christening ensemble and sent me a video of her opening the box! I’m so happy I could do this for her special little girl.

Are you busy? (still asked of me ALL the time!)

 

Answer: Yes! If I wasn’t busy, I never would have had a need to rent space. I now have my own studio space outside of my home in a building that is an arts center in my town – so I’m exposed to creative people every day! I really love what I do, and it makes people happy. What could be better than that!