Quilting Business Success 2B – Valerie Greenwell
Valerie’s Path to Quilting Excellence
Introduction
Valerie’s quilting journey is a remarkable tale of resilience, artistic expression, and business acumen. From overcoming a career-ending injury to establishing herself as a sought-after longarm quilter, Valerie’s story highlights the power of creativity and determination.Discovering Quilting as a Creative Outlet
Valerie’s foray into quilting began after an injury ended her career as a state officer. Seeking a creative outlet during her recovery, she discovered quilting. Her background in photography and graphic design influenced her approach, enabling her to envision intricate quilting patterns. However, communicating these visions to the longarm quilters she was hiring to finish her quilts proved challenging, prompting her to acquire her own longarm quilting machine.Transitioning to Professional Quilting
Valerie’s initial investment in a different brand of quilting machine was met with frustration, leading her to upgrade to a Gammill Statler. This decision proved pivotal as it aligned with her technical expertise and creative aspirations. Despite not initially intending to quilt for others, the demand for her services quickly grew, turning her passion into a thriving business.Overcoming Challenges and Growing the Business
One of Valerie’s significant challenges was establishing her quilting business after relocating from Arizona to Indiana. Despite the move, her reputation and quality of work ensured a steady flow of projects from previous clients. Valerie emphasized the importance of investing in the right equipment and continuously upgrading to meet business demands. Her approach to pricing, offering detailed quotes for both custom and edge-to-edge quilting, helped manage client expectations and ensured fair compensation for her work.The Impact of Quilting on Personal Life
Quilting provided Valerie with financial independence and the flexibility to manage her schedule. The ability to work from home allowed her to balance her business with personal life, ensuring she could dedicate time to both her professional projects and her own creative pursuits. This balance was crucial in maintaining her passion for quilting and overall well-being.Advice for Aspiring Quilters
Valerie offers the following advice for those looking to enter the world of longarm quilting:- Invest in Quality Equipment: Start with a reputable brand like Gammill Statler, ensuring the machine meets your needs.
- Engage and Network: Join quilting guilds and participate in shows to build a network and client base.
- Value Your Work: Set fair prices for your services, considering the time and skill involved.
- Balance Work and Passion: Dedicate time to your own quilting projects to maintain creativity and joy.
- Be Honest with Clients: Guide clients on the best quilting options for their projects, ensuring they understand the value and impact of custom versus edge-to-edge quilting.
Conclusion
Valerie’s journey from a career-ending injury to becoming a renowned longarm quilter is a story of resilience, creativity, and business success. Her emphasis on quality equipment, client engagement, and fair pricing provides valuable insights for aspiring quilters. Valerie’s ability to balance her business with personal creative pursuits underscores the importance of passion and dedication in achieving professional fulfillment. Her story serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that with determination and the right approach, one can turn a challenging situation into a thriving, rewarding career.Key questions and answers from the interview:
Q: Where’s home for you now?
A: I am currently in Terre Haute, Indiana, right on the Indiana-Illinois line.
Q: How long have you been longarm quilting?
A: I got my first machine in 2012 but bought my first Gammill in 2013 after the initial machine proved inadequate.
Q: What made you decide to start longarm quilting?
A: After a career-ending injury, I sought a creative outlet and discovered quilting. I needed to be able to finish my own quilts as I had specific artistic visions that were difficult to communicate to other quilters.
Q: How did you decide to buy a Gammill Statler?
A: I attended a quilt show, tried every machine, and found Gammill Statler’s Windows-based system aligned with my background in photography and graphic design, making it the best choice for me.
Q: How did you fund your machine purchases?
A: I sold my initial machine, my Harley motorcycle, and later my new pickup truck to finance the Gammill machines.
Q: How has quilting impacted your personal life?
A: Quilting provided financial independence and schedule flexibility. It allowed me to balance personal and professional life, ensuring I could pursue my own creative projects and maintain overall well-being.
Q: What advice do you have for aspiring quilters?
A: Invest in quality equipment, engage with the quilting community, value your work, balance professional and personal life, and be honest with clients about the best quilting options for their projects.