Sofi's Stitches

 

Like living in a fairy tale:

Sofi's Stitches

When your hobby starts to look like a promising career, sometimes you have more questions than confidence.

Once upon a time, Valerie Lilley was a successful journalist. To earn extra money in her spare time, she sewed medieval clothing and sold it at renaissance fairs. Her meticulous renderings of the styles of the period earned her great renown in the anachronistic community, and she enjoyed a growing success.

In 1999, Valerie suddenly found herself on the brink of a new career. By September of that year she had created her 300th gown, with no end in sight. Demand for her work had grown beyond her abilities to meet it, but her next step was unclear. She could tell that her hobby had potential as a full-time business, but with a career in journalism already established, Valerie was hesitant to take the next step.

"I wanted to make sure I wasn't about to do something stupid with my life," Valerie said.

That's when Valerie turned to Bradley University's Turner Center for Entrepreneurship (TCE) for the help Valerie needed in making her transition.  TCE, specifically Ken Klotz, Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), discussed with Valerie, the viability of her hobby as a full-time pursuit.

Ken and the SBDC were able to help Valerie take her hobby to the next level. Together, Ken and Valerie developed a business plan that helped land the bank loan Valerie needed to give her company its initial boost. Later, they worked together to organize the company's sales figures, costs and cash flow. They also discussed lines of credit, streamlined logistics and developed the advanced sales forecasts that secured even greater bank support.

"What I like about her as a business owner is, she's never afraid to ask questions or ask for advice," Ken said. "Not a lot of business owners are quite that open, but she credits that as part of her success."

And as her business grows, Valerie continues to seek advice from the Turner Center for Entrepreneurship. From the delicate tasks of hiring and firing to the nuts and bolts of international trade, TCE is there to guide Valerie through many of her greatest challenges as a business owner.