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

Deb Barrett is an accomplished, prolific and highly regarded authority in the design industry with a varied background and experience. A fascination with what's around the corner and the constant search for inspiration has led to her current roles in the design industry. •     As an award-winning designer and Principal in Window Dressings, Deb Barrett has built a reputation for cutting edge couture treatments and soft furnishings •     As an educator, Deb is a recognized design authority and thought leader. She is a frequent speaker for a variety of industry events. She has championed design education and innovation throughout her career; developing and producing CEU accredited educational events under her brand.   •     As a consultant, Deb provides insights, intelligence and lateral inspiration across a broad range of products and services within the design. •     As a design guide, Deb has been hosting Décor Tours to international trade shows for design professionals for over a decade.     Speaker, Consultant and Coach | Deb Barrett Window Fashion Expert | Designer   Design Guide to the World's Markets| Decor Tours   Links and Resources; WRT 96 - Paris Decor Tours Podcast with Susan Woodcock The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More by Chris Anderson The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell  

(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

Oksana Ambroz-Trychta is the founder of "It's Oksana," a Chicago-based textile design studio and workroom.    Born in Ukraine, Oksana's background in art and music led her to a career in ceramic and porcelain design. After showcasing her porcelain collection in New York in 1997, she transitioned to soft furnishings, reigniting her passion for textiles.    Building a strong reputation through word-of-mouth, she became a sought-after collaborator for interior designers. A course in laser cutting at Central St. Martin's in London further fueled her innovative approach.    "It's Oksana" is committed to sustainable, eco-friendly textiles, ensuring both client satisfaction and environmental responsibility.   Links and Resources; Quipa     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

Now is Found Chairloom operates at the intersection of art and sustainability, shifting the conversation around vintage furniture and design.

On today's podcast I have the pleasure of interviewing Molly Burke and Tracy Jenkins of Chairloom.  

 

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  

 

In 1999 Jes and Wes were on a quest to work for themselves and have more control over their own time. That's when they created Crown Upholstery. After 25 years they have  definitely worked, but they have yet to gain much control over their time. Jesica is the 5th generation in her family to be enticed by the upholstery lifestyle. Growing up in her grandparents shop, in Glendale Arizona, she witnessed first hand the freedoms upholstery had to offer as well as the hard work one has to put in to be successful in this craft. Wes was raised in Maryland and had never known upholstery to be anything other than something you did to the interiors of cars.  The sirens of upholstery began to sing to him on a visit to Jesica's grandparents house. He saw their home based shop and the countless processes that go into this craft and quickly fell in love. Having a background in auto mechanics he was already primed for the problem solving journey that upholstery provides. He took a few classes taught by Jesica's grandfather, Frank, and then began his apprenticeship with him after Frank saw the enthusiasm and attention to detail Wes had. Within a few years of walking into an upholstery shop for the first time, Wes was starting his own. It began in a tiny one car garage that shared space with laundry machines, holiday decorations and lawn equipment but it did the job. Jesica had experience in accounting and she's much better at organization and management of things so that made the decision of who would be boss really easy.  They moved across country a couple of times searching for a place to settle down and eventually landed in east Tennessee. In the 17 years living and working in Knoxville they have established a reputation for quality upholstery and excellent customer service. For the majority of their upholstery career they have been a home based business. In 2018 they purchased their first commercial space. A 1920's grocery store with an apartment above. They were officially a business based home. Within a few years, and after hiring another upholsterer Crown Upholstery was ready for more growth.  Jesica found and purchased another building in the same neighborhood. This allowed them to bring on another full-time upholsterer. Jesica was now coordinating the schedules of 3 upholsterers along with everything else that goes into running a business. They still live above the old upholstery shop but it is now a Hair salon that Jesica manages as well. There's a reason she won Knoxville's Women owned business of the year 2024. Even when they aren't working together they still enjoy spending time together. Whether it's camping, sifting through junks shops or riding bikes.  They are rarely seen very far apart. 

Crown Upholstery is on Instagram and Facebook

SBA - Small Business Association Kim's Upholstery