Quilting Business Success 3a – Janice McLaren
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Interview Summary: Janice McLaren
Introduction: Finding Purpose in Quilting
Janice McLaren, a dedicated quilter from Aledo, Illinois, shared her story of turning her passion for quilting into a long-arm quilting business. Residing in a small farming community with a population of about 3,600, Janice’s journey began over 16 years ago. “I’ve been long-arm quilting since 2007,” she recalled. Janice’s decision to pursue quilting full-time stemmed from a combination of dissatisfaction with other quilting services and a desire to escape her day job. “I had some quilts done by other quilters, and I was a little less impressed than I could have been,” she explained. “It took me a year and a half to get a quilt back, and I thought, well, that’s ridiculous. People shouldn’t have to wait that long.”
Motivation to Start a Quilting Business
Janice’s initial motivation to start her quilting business was twofold. She wanted to improve the quality and turnaround time of quilting services in her area, and she also aimed to transition out of her day job. “I wanted to get out of the day job,” she admitted, “but I’m still working it.” Despite this, Janice remained determined to turn quilting into a full-time endeavor. She viewed the long wait times and unsatisfactory results she experienced from other quilters as an opportunity to offer better service. “I figured if people were waiting that long, there had to be room for someone who could do it better and faster,” she said.
Choosing the Right Equipment: The Gammill Machine
When it came to selecting a quilting machine, Janice chose the Gammill for its quality and durability. “I thought the quality was better than some of the lesser expensive machines,” she explained. Janice opted for a hand-guided Classic Plus model, a choice she has stuck with throughout her quilting career. “Everything I do is hand-guided,” she noted, reflecting her commitment to the craft and her preference for a more hands-on approach. The decision to stick with a hand-guided machine was also influenced by her desire to maintain a high level of control and personal touch in her quilting work.
Building a Customer Base from Scratch
Starting a quilting business in a small rural community presented its own set of challenges, particularly in building a customer base. Janice began her business from scratch, with no initial clients other than herself. “The first year was mostly practice on my own projects and a couple for family,” she said. Janice admitted that she didn’t feel comfortable quilting for others right away and wanted to ensure her skills were up to par before taking on customer quilts. “It took a while for me to be comfortable doing it for others,” she added.
To grow her business, Janice relied heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. “It didn’t take very long. Mostly word of mouth,” she said, reflecting on how quickly her reputation spread. She also utilized local advertising methods that were popular at the time, including newspaper ads and setting up booths at local events. “I set up a booth at a big local event in the summer and at the local quilt guild’s quilt show. That got me some attention,” Janice shared. These efforts paid off as she began to receive more requests from quilters in her community and surrounding areas.
Overcoming Challenges and Gaining Experience
Like many small business owners, Janice faced several challenges in her early years. One of the biggest obstacles was gaining enough experience to feel confident in her skills. “It took me seven years to learn how to do feathers,” she confessed. Even now, after 16 years of quilting, she acknowledges that there are still days when the work is challenging. “Every time I do them, it’s like, okay, just relax and you can do this, but it’s still a struggle sometimes,” she explained. Janice emphasized the importance of practice in mastering quilting techniques. “Anything you need to learn takes practice,” she noted, underscoring the dedication required to succeed in the craft.
Financial Strategies: Funding Her Quilting Journey
Starting a quilting business required a significant financial investment, and Janice was resourceful in finding ways to fund her passion. She took out a personal loan and borrowed money from her children’s savings. “I had some money in savings, and I borrowed some from my kids, who were in high school at the time,” she said. This financial strategy enabled her to purchase her first Gammill machine and set up her business. Her decision to involve her children in her financial planning also highlighted her commitment to making the business a success. “I paid off the loan early and paid the kids back,” she added, demonstrating her responsible approach to managing finances.
Balancing Business with Personal Life
Janice’s journey as a quilter was not without personal sacrifices. As a single parent for much of her quilting career, she had to balance her time between her day job, her quilting business, and her family responsibilities. “It was hard to find enough time to do it as much as I wanted to,” she admitted. Despite the challenges, Janice remained committed to her quilting business, often working late into the night to complete customer orders. “I probably spend 10 to 12 hours a week quilting,” she noted, highlighting the time and dedication required to run a successful quilting business alongside other responsibilities.
Offering Custom Services: A Niche in the Market
Janice quickly realized that there was a demand for custom quilting services in her area, especially as more quilters moved towards simpler, edge-to-edge designs. “I’ve done a lot of custom this year,” she said. Many of her customers sought out her services specifically because she was willing to take on custom work that others avoided. “People come to me for custom quilting because nobody else will do it,” she explained. This niche in the market allowed Janice to differentiate her business and attract a loyal customer base willing to pay a premium for her expertise and unique designs.
Impact of Quilting on Personal and Financial Freedom
Quilting has had a significant impact on Janice’s personal and financial life, providing her with both freedom and flexibility. “The quilting money helped put my daughter through college,” she shared. It also provided her with the means to make home improvements and take vacations, luxuries she might not have been able to afford otherwise. “It’s given me the freedom to live my life on my terms,” she said. This sense of control over her schedule and financial stability has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her quilting journey.
Advice for Aspiring Quilters
For those considering starting their own quilting business, Janice offered several pieces of valuable advice. “Keep really good records about what you’re spending and what you’re charging,” she recommended. She also emphasized the importance of managing customer expectations and ensuring clear communication. “At first, I didn’t have an intake form or anything like that for the customer. I do now so that they know what to expect,” she said. Janice also highlighted the importance of continuous learning and practice. “You have to constantly be learning and improving. That’s the only way to get better,” she advised.
Conclusion: A Quilting Journey Defined by Determination and Passion
Janice McLaren’s quilting journey is a testament to her determination, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. From starting her business in a small rural town to building a loyal customer base through word-of-mouth and custom services, Janice has proven that with hard work and dedication, it is possible to turn a passion into a profitable business. Her story is an inspiration to aspiring quilters everywhere, showing that it is never too late to pursue your dreams and that success is achievable with the right mindset and approach.
Key Questions and Answers: Janice McLaren
Q1: Where is home for you, and how long have you been long-arm quilting?
A: “I am in Aledo, Illinois, which is about half an hour from the Quad Cities. I’ve been long-arm quilting since 2007, so about 16 years now.”
Q2: What motivated you to get into long-arm quilting?
A: Janice shared two main reasons for getting into long-arm quilting. “I had some quilts done by other quilters, and I wasn’t impressed with the turnaround time. It took a year and a half to get one back, and I thought, people shouldn’t have to wait that long.” She also wanted to leave her day job and hoped quilting could become her full-time business.
Q3: Did you buy your long-arm machine specifically to start a business?
A: “Yes, I wanted it to be a full-time business,” Janice confirmed. However, she still maintains her day job while running her quilting business.
Q4: Why did you choose a Gammill machine over other brands?
A: Janice chose a Gammill for its quality. “I thought the quality was better than some of the less expensive ones,” she said. She started with a hand-guided Classic Plus model and continues to use it for all her quilting.
Q5: How did you find customers to grow your business?
A: Janice grew her customer base primarily through word-of-mouth. “It didn’t take very long; mostly word of mouth,” she explained. She also advertised in local newspapers and set up booths at community events and quilt shows to attract more attention.
Q6: What was the hardest part about starting your quilting business?
A: “Making the time to do it, making connections with people, and learning how to do the type of work that I wanted to do,” Janice noted. She emphasized the importance of practice in building her skills and confidence.
Q7: How did you fund the purchase of your quilting machine?
A: Janice took a personal loan and borrowed money from her children’s savings to purchase her first quilting machine. “I borrowed money from my kids, who were in high school at the time,” she said, demonstrating her commitment to starting her business.
Q8: How long did it take you to pay off your initial investment?
A: “The loan was for three years, but I paid it off early. I also paid the kids back,” Janice shared, highlighting her disciplined approach to managing her business finances.
Q9: Do you offer custom quilting services in addition to edge-to-edge quilting?
A: Yes, Janice offers both custom quilting and edge-to-edge quilting. “I’ve done a lot of custom this year,” she mentioned. She noted that many customers specifically seek her out for custom work because other quilters in her area do not offer it.
Q10: What other services do you offer besides quilting?
A: Janice offers several additional services, including making t-shirt quilts, piecing backings, and binding quilts. “I do a lot of t-shirt quilts and even some custom projects, like quilts made from antique linens,” she explained.
Q11: What advice would you give to someone looking to start their own quilting business?
A: “Keep really good records about what you’re spending and what you’re charging,” Janice advised. She also stressed the importance of setting clear expectations with customers and continuously improving one’s skills through practice and learning.
Q12: How has quilting impacted your personal life?
A: Quilting has provided Janice with both financial stability and personal freedom. “The quilting money helped put my daughter through college, and it’s given us the freedom to live life on our terms,” she reflected.
Q13: What is one thing you wish you had known when you started quilting?
A: Janice wished she had known to “keep better records” from the start and to better handle quilting challenges presented by customers, such as dealing with poorly pieced tops or wavy borders.