Sew Much More

Kathy Hamilton

Window Alternatives

Business Profile

Kathy is the owner of WINDOW ALTERNATIVES LLC.

Her entrepreneurial spirit drove her to open Window Alternatives 30 years ago specializing in window coverings and offering full interior design services.

Kathy graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York with a degree in fashion design.

She worked as an apparel designer after her graduation for six years, traveling to key fashion and manufacturing facilities in Asia, India, and Europe.

Kathy returned to school to gain additional education in drapery, fabrics and manufacturing.

She became a WFCP (Window Fashion Certified Professional) drapery specialist.

She has continued her education at every opportunity, consistently using new technology and trends in her business.

Kathy has become a specialist in working with architects in developing window treatments for commercial applications, with a focus on Senior Living facilities.

Kathy has been published in Design New Jersey magazine, the Asbury Park Press, and the cover of Senior Living magazine.

The Window Alternatives website is a great source of pride for the company as well as a source of information and ideas for clients looking for inspiration. WindowAlternatives.net

Kathy's work is also available at HOUZZ.com

Kathy is also on Facebook.

This series is sponsored by

The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

What does it mean to enter the family business and keep it going for 70 years??? We find out today with Sue and Steve Landis of Merril Y Landis, LTD.

Sue Landis has over thirty-five years of leadership experience serving as Christian Education Director, Sunday School teacher, Inductive Bible Study and Women's Ministry leader. Her professional career has been diverse. Sue was happy to be a stay-at-home mom filling her years with various volunteer roles at school and church. Several years after returning to the workforce, she met the new challenge to join her husband full time in the family business. She has continued her education in Lean Mfg., Human Performance Improvement, and earning her PHR in Human Resource Management. After years of Life Coaching courses, she received her Personal & Executive Coach Certification (CPEC) in February 2015. Presently, she serves the company as Human Resources Director, Sales, and Marketing Director and Products Division General Manager. In 2004, she became the founder and President of Victory Consulting & Assoc., LLC. Her passion is to encourage and inspire people to navigate life's transitions with intention and grace to fulfill their life purpose.

Steve Landis is President/CEO and co-owner of Merrill Y. Landis, Ltd (MYL), located in Telford, Pennsylvania, with over fifty-three years' experience in all aspects of the Custom Window Covering Industry. MYL is a family owned and operated business which started in 1948 as a local Retail Custom Window Treatment Outlet and Manufacturing business. Today the company has grown into a regional Custom Window Treatment Workroom/Products Distributor to the Trade Only. The company operates out of an 18,000 sq. ft. facility and employs approximately 70 people. They service the Wholesale Market in the Mid-Atlantic States with free delivery service in most areas and ship their products throughout the United States. Steve has a Bachelor's degree in Business Marketing/Management from Temple University, has been trained in Lean Manufacturing Techniques, is involved with his local church and is currently the serving on the board of the local Bucks-Mont Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National WCAA.

Steve and Sue were high school sweethearts and together they have 2 adult children and 4 grandchildren.

You can find MYL on Facebook and Instagram

We talked about this quote from Teddy Roosevelt that Brene Brown mentions in her book, Daring Greatly;

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;

who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly..."

Books we talked about;

Lean Thinking James T. Womack and Daniel T. Jones

The Goal by Eli Goldratt Jeff Cox and David Whitford

Daring Greatly Brene Brown

The E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Successful Women Think Differently by Valerie Burton

Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels

Changes That Heal by Henry Cloud

Switch On Your Brain by Carolyn Leaf

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA

In this Best Advice Episode, I've included;

John and Kristen Vince

Kathryn Dillon

Doshie Witcher

Penny Bruce

Sharon Gizzi

Robin Matthews

Cynthia Blescachek

Cathy Tucker

Jana Platina Phipps

Kate Greunke

LuAnn Nigara

Nancy Letts

Susan Kostelecky

Ravi Pankhania

Jill Ragan Scully

Elki Horn

Deborah Cronin

Caterina Meadows

Are you going to the Custom Workroom Conference???

It's coming up fast! What is it??? Well, listen in as Susan Woodcock and I talk about why this is such a great conference for workrooms to attend.

We talk about everything you need to know about attending the conference. Why should you be there? We have lots of answers for that question.

You won't want to miss the WCAA Totally Rad 80's Party! You can register here!

This will be my first time teaching at CWC and I hope to see you there!

Rosemarie Garner and Linda Principe have been working together since 2012. Today we discuss the designer/workroom relationship and the importance of it.

Linda Principe is the owner of Linda Principe Interiors in Monroe Township, NJ. Linda provides full-service residential interior design services with a specialty in window treatments in the central New Jersey area.

Linda is active in the Window Coverings Association of America and is a past President of the National Board. She is also past President of the Central New Jersey Chapter and is currently an active member of the Central NJ chapter and the Virtual chapter.

Recently, Linda was an instructor for the "Window Treatments" class in the Interior Design program at Mercer County Community College for five years.

Linda's work has been included in Window Fashions trade magazine and she is a past Editorial Board member and featured writer. She has also been published numerous times in Design New Jersey magazine as well as local NJ newspapers.

This year is Linda's 29th year in business.

Rosemarie Garner is the owner of R Garner Custom Designs, LLC – a To The Trade Custom Window Treatment design and fabrication firm serving the Northern New Jersey, Montclair NJ, and NYC areas.

R Garner Custom Designs works closely with designer clients in a collaborative way to ensure their vision is executed perfectly. R Garner Custom Designs keeps up with current trends in window treatment design through our membership in the WCAA, Design and Drapery Pro Network, and industry educational conferences. Rosemarie is an instructor at Workroom Tech in Tryon, NC and for the Custom Workroom Conference.

Rosemarie's work can be viewed on Houzz and Facebook. Her website is currently under construction.

http://www.houzz.com/pro/rgarnercustomdesigns

https://www.facebook.com/rgarnercustomdesigns/

This series is sponsored by

The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library

In this episode of the Opportunity Thinking Series, Jeanelle Dech and I talk about feedback, comparison, failure, Girl Scout cookies and bankruptcy. I think we have covered some interesting subjects, but today's is up there in my top 5!!!!

The feedback has to do with Episode 102 when I spoke with Christina Price and Jennifer Assetto.

The rest, well you will just have to listen!!!

The Endgame Webinar is on the WCAA Website for members it was recorded in September 2016. If you are not a WCAA member, you can purchase this webinar by contacting [email protected].

Jeanelle mentioned The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA

Kathryn Dillon owns and operates Kathryn Dillon Drapery & Design LLC, a full-service window treatment and soft goods design and fabrication business. Kathryn has built her business by consistently providing exquisitely handcrafted products and services in addition to window coverings, such as furniture, upholstery, rugs and paint color selections to busy homeowners and executives. Over the past 24 years, she has created lasting relationships with repeat clients and those that value attention to detail throughout the design and fabrication process.

Kathryn completed a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Clothing along with a Studio Concentration in Fiber Arts from Colorado State University. She has continued to add to her own professional development by attending seminars, conferences and receiving business coaching. Kathryn attended CHF Academy in 2009 where she received certification in Slip Cover Fabrication Techniques and Shades & Advanced Top Treatments. In 2010 Kathryn was certified as a WFCP Designer and Workroom Specialist by completing the Window Fashions Certified Professionals Program. In March of 2017, she was awarded Second Place in the IWCE Vision Workroom Competition in the Bedding and Pillows category. She has been a local and national WCAA member since 2005 and early on served in several different positions in the Atlanta Chapter including Publicity, Industry Partner Liaison & Membership. Kathryn is currently serving in the Young Professional Initiative role.

Kathryn can be found on Facebook and Instagram.

Window Fashion Vision Magazine

Jane has been working in the interiors industry for the last 10 years. Based in the UK, about an hour outside London. Jane Crawford Interiors is aimed at the 'High End' market and offers a wide range of quality fabrics, window treatments, curtain poles, and accessories. She has a level 3 diploma in Professional Curtain and Roman Blind Making from the National Design Academy and a City and Guilds in Photography. Jane is passionate about fabric and putting schemes together for peoples homes. Interiors should reflect the personalities of the homeowners and Jane guides them through the process. Jane Crawford Interiors provide a level of service that each client requires and sees the job through from start to finish. Design to installation. Jane has a wonderful family who are behind her 100% and friends who have supported and believed in her. Jane Is constantly looking to the future to make sure that the business grows. Learning new skills, working on exciting projects and collaborating with inspiring people keeps the business fresh and presents new challenges to overcome.

Jane Crawford Interiors Facebook Instagram Jane mentioned; The Geometry of Hand-Sewing: A Romance in Stitches and Embroidery from Alabama Chanin and The School of Making (Alabama Studio) The Sew Helpful Website

Books we both read and loved;

The Success Principals by Jack Canfield

Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod

Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck

Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

Price Your Work with Confidence by Kitty Stein

Ceil's List

Better Than Before by Gretchen Ruben

212 The Extra Degree by Sam Parker and Mac Anderson

Aspire - Discovering Your Purpose Through The Power of Words by Kevin Hall

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

Loving What Is by Byron Katie

The Energy Bus by John Gordon

Daring Greatly by Brenè Brown

Michele's List

E Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Failing Forward by John C. Maxwell

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The 5 Languages of Appreciation In The Work Place by Gary Chapman and Paul White

Book Yourself Solid by Michael Port

Secret Service by John R. DiJulius

Business by The Book by Larry Burkett

The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz

Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi

Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz

No Excuses by Brian Tracy

Books on our "to read" list;

The Making Of A Well Designed Business by LuAnn Nigara

Work The System by John Carpenter

Finding Your Why by Simon Sinek

Everybody Always by Bob Goff

Michele mentions;

The How I Built This Podcast

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by; The Workroom Channel Scarlet Thread Consulting The WCAA I have learned so much from my guests on the podcast that I wanted to share some of that with my listeners. Links to things I talked about; Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library Workroom Tech The Custom Workroom Conference Kim's Upholstery PUAM