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

 

Addie Conte was offered a job on a whim by a local Maryland drapery workroom in 2012. That first experience sparked her love for making beautiful things that continues today. 

Any spare time she had was spent attending workroom classes and window treatment conferences. She began planning her own workroom space in her unfinished basement. 

Shortly after, a local seamstress was going out of business, and Addie was able to acquire all of their equipment and ta-da…Addie Designs, LLC was born.

 

Today, the Addie Designs team proudly operates from a dynamic studio in Deale, Maryland- a versatile space where our workroom seamlessly merges with our inspiring showroom. 

 

Links and Resources;

Quipa

Scarlet Thread Consulting

Airtable

Metrique Solutions

 

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  

 

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  

 

Angie Seekamp is the owner of St. Hyacinth Custom Drapery 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 Instagram

Links and Resources;

Scarlet Thread Consulting - Pricing Without Emotion

Ann Johnson's Panel Class on the Workroom Channel

Roger Magalhas Installation Courses

Victoria Hammond is the founder and owner of Master Soft Furnishers, 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 students at her Academy to achieve their creative and professional goals.

 

At the Academy, students can choose from a variety of in-person certified courses, ranging from a one-day Roman blinds (shades) workshop to a comprehensive 17-day Diploma in Professional Curtain Making & Soft Furnishings. All courses are delivered in a welcoming and inspiring training environment. Additionally, the Academy offers professionally filmed, user-friendly online certified courses that provide thorough and accessible instruction. The Academy also hosts visiting tutors who teach their own specialities, further enriching the learning experience.

You can contact Victoria by email - [email protected].

 

Links and Resources;

Pierre Frey

Merrick and Day - The Encyclopedia of Curtains

 

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 success:  strategies of foundation, intention, people, process and profits. Michele is also certified in Profit First and Fix This Next methodologies. You can find out more by visiting www.scarletthreadconsulting.com

 

Links and Resources;

Your Next Five Moves by Patick Bet-David

She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross

The Recipie for Empowered Leadership by Doug Meyer-Cuno

It's Ok to Be the Boss by Bruc Tulgan

Blinkist

Learn to Choose Window Coverings Course

Grandma name shopping video 

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 www.ThoseBoysontheHill.com 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:

Catching Up with Lea Tran

Ron Howard on Smartless

Those Boys on the Hill is available on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and most podcasting platforms.

Preview of Episode 3 – Iszel’s Smile 

Episode 7 – Talking Trauma with Tracie 

Episode 9- Black and Blackish with Cody (Jeanelle’s youngest brother) 

 

 

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 to two sweet toddlers, who inspire her drive for success every day. Her family and deep-rooted love for sewing fuel her commitment to helping others bring their creative visions to life.

Links and Resources;

Byrne Sewing Connection

 

Byrne Sewing Connection is on Facebook and Instagram

The Goal Digger Podcast

 

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