447 - Angie Seekamp - I Was Made to Do This Business
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Angie Seekamp is the owner of in Celina, Texas. With a background in painting and studio arts, Angie transitioned from a career in luxury cosmetics and skin care to entrepreneurship. After helping her husband establish his boutique law practice, she became a full-time stay-at-home mom following the birth of their daughter. A lifelong lover of knitting, sewing, and crochet, Angie now channels her creativity into her drapery business which she opened in December of 2023. In her free time she enjoys entertaining, tablescaping, and spending time with friends and family. Angie is on Links and...
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446 - Victoria Hammond - In This Industry, People Really Do Want to Help Each Other
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Victoria Hammond is the founder and owner of , established in 2001, specializing in soft furnishings and interior design. Her award-winning enterprise is internationally renowned for training over a thousand individuals in the professional making of soft furnishings, many of whom have gone on to establish and successfully run their own businesses. Passionate about her craft, Victoria combines skills passed down through generations in her family with extensive industry experience. She is dedicated to preserving traditional sewing techniques while inspiring and supporting...
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445 - Year End Wrap Up With Michele Williams
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Michele Williams, owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting, is a speaker, podcaster, author and strategic business coach serving the interior design industry. Her work helps business owners create strategic plans that are actionable, manage their business and finances properly, and develop a framework for decision making that allows for a laser focus. As a result of working with Michele, her clients increase their rates, reduce their workload, and increase their bottom line. Michele uses her signature program, AIM with Intent™, where she focuses on the 5 strategies that lead to wild...
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444 - Listener Favorite - Jeanelle Dech - Better or Different?
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In this Opportunity Thinking Series episode, I talk with Jeanelle Dech about utilizing personal strengths and the importance of timing in recognizing good-fit opportunities. Jeanelle shares a personal project that has brought more joy and meaning to her life and how my podcast example helped propel the project forward. We encourage everyone to go to to learn more about the podcast and book of the same title. Once there, be sure to subscribe to and read the blog which features book excerpts and related content. Mentioned links: is available on Buzzsprout, Apple...
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443 - Jess Kook Whitely - I Really Do Love My Life and My Job and My Career
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Jess Kook-Whitley is the proud owner of Byrne Sewing, a cornerstone of the sewing community for over 45 years. Taking the helm three years ago, Jess has led the business with dedication and a passion for fostering creativity and customer care, exceeding industry standards and achievements. A graduate of Philadelphia University with a degree in Fashion Design, Jess’s journey came full circle when she returned to Byrne Sewing to combine her design expertise with her love of business and serving her sewing community. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jess is a devoted wife and mom...
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442 - Nina Zheleva - I Am A Person Who Likes To Be Challenged
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Born and raised in Bulgaria, Nina Zhelev, founder of , has spent the last 20 years in the United States, where she has built a successful career in the textile industry. With over 25 years of experience in various roles, she has honed her skills as a professional pattern maker, collaborating with renowned brands such as Hugo Boss, Strellson, Yoop!, La-Z-Boy, McCalls, Simplicity, just to name a few. Nina is the proud owner of Noble Design, a home furnishings workroom that has been serving interior designers in the Raleigh area for over 15 years. In 2020, she launched My Shade Kit –...
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441 - Emily Marshall - I Love Change and I Like to Try New Stuff!
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Emily Marshall owns the custom workroom in Santa Rosa California. The one person workroom took shape in 2014 when her youngest went to preschool she offered sewing as a service on Craigslist. That started her off on a path she’d never imagined. Sewing mostly at night anything and everything from dog collars, zebra skin into rugs, sails for sailboats, a blackout lining for a circus tent, large production runs…. In 2017 she enrolled in fashions studies night classes at the local junior college to connect with other sewers and learn pattern making and draping skills she still uses when...
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440 - Listener Favorite - Kate Winton
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Kate Winton has been an interior design professional for over 30 years. She has held design and marketing positions with Macy’s, F. Schumacher & Co. and P/Kaufmann, Inc. Kate has also independently done interior design for individuals and businesses. During her career, she always admired the various seamstresses she worked with over the years. Kate's mother was an avid sewer all her life, creating thousands of quilts, baby quilts, and various other fabric items including sewing Halloween costumes for her grandchildren. Kate's Mom encouraged her to take...
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439 - Julie Thome - I Feel Like I Am Just Hitting My Stride
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In a previous life, Julie Thome had a 20-year banking career as a foreign currency trader, which brought her to the United States in 1995. A lifelong passion for fabrics and sewing, however, inspired her to start her drapery workroom when her children were small. Since 2000, she has owned and operated ., a to-the-trade workroom in Bethel, Conn., specializing in high-end details and turnkey distance project management. Her business has grown, and now counts some of the biggest names in design — both in the U.S. and internationally — as regular clients. Project locations currently include...
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438 - Listener Favorite with Elki Comacho
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Elki Camacho is a Business Consultant specializing in Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence. By focusing on people, process, and technology, Elki aids businesses in transforming their business models, scaling intentionally, and transforming cultures to create more profitable businesses. As a consultant, Elki operates in various capacities to strengthen business acumen, hone operational execution, deliver training and development, act as an extended part of your business, and provide ongoing coaching to meet your business needs. As a champion of Women in Business and Diversity and...
info_outlineShree is the owner of Folds & Drapes, located in Carmel, Indiana. In 2022, she took a significant stride by establishing her own workroom, Folds & Drapes LLC, where she specializes in crafting custom window treatments and soft furnishings, offering a wide range of services and products.
Originally from India, Shree's sewing journey began at the age of 10, under the guidance of her father. When it came time to choose a career, she knew that textile was her calling. She holds a master's degree in textile science and apparel design. Over the course of six years, she immersed herself in the home textile industry, gaining valuable insights into the manufacturing and design processes of high-quality fabrics and specialty home textiles.
Her journey is a source of immense pride, and her passion for the craft is evident in every project she undertakes. In 2014, Shree transitioned to the United States with her husband, navigating a spectrum of challenges and opportunities. While adapting to a new culture and lifestyle, she continued to pursue her professional interests. She explored her artistic inclinations by participating in the Indiana State Fair Art Divisions, where she secured several ribbons for her creative endeavors across various categories. Additionally, she undertook small sewing projects, provided alterations for neighbors, and offered sewing lessons, further honing her skills. Working with diverse fabrics and styles, she derived joy from creating bespoke solutions.
Looking ahead, Shree plans to continue leveraging her expertise and creativity to transform spaces for her clients, embarking on a journey together to bring their imaginations to life. She is a proud member of the WCAA National and Indiana Chapter and the Workroom Accountability and Mentoring Group 2024.
In her free time, Shree volunteers as a teacher, where she teaches children her native language, Marathi. She also enjoys home improvement projects, gardening, and outdoor activities with her family.
You can find Shree at Folds and Drapes, Instagram, and Facebook
Links and Resources;
The Custom Workroom Conference