443 - Jess Kook Whitely - I Really Do Love My Life and My Job and My Career
Sew Much More
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...
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437 - Organization Advice from Stacey Harmon, Evernote Certified Consultant
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Founder of , Stacey is a productivity coach and top Evernote Certified Consultant who specializes in helping disorganized and unproductive people get their lives in order with Evernote. Through her membership, guides and training programs, she shows busy people how to take back control of their digital lives to give them the freedom, space, and time they crave. Thanks to her Evernote-based GTD® practice she enjoys a paperless laptop-lifestyle which often takes her far beyond her home base of Austin, Texas.
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436 - Opportunity Thinking Series with Ralph Angel
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The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; It's always a pleasure for me to talk with Ralph Angel! He's one of the first people I met in this industry and he was so helpful. Today you'll hear about what and who! is new at Angel's! You can find Angel's on , and
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435 - Setting Boundaries
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Links and Resources; for PRO Plus members of the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library. The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;
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434 - Listener Favorite - Suzy Daruwala
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Suzy Daruwala is the owner of , a full-service drapery and fabrication studio servicing homeowners, builders, and designers alike. Clients say they enjoy working with Suzy because she has the ability to really listen and interpret their needs and desires and helps to translate their vision into a well-executed design and fabrication plan. She delivers exceptional quality and is very detail-oriented. She founded her company in November of 2007 in Branchburg, NJ, relocated to Lexington, MA in 2010, and finally landed in Del Mar, CA in 2015. In 2001 she started...
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