We recently connected with Ella Hall and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ella thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.
My upbringing has instilled in me a strong sense of resourcefulness and independence. My parents intentionally carved a path that guided me in a positive direction while allowing me to experience small failures for valuable learning opportunities. This approach has equipped me with excellent decision-making skills, adaptability, and empathy towards others. These key skill sets have proven to be invaluable in my journey of growing and managing a company.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I come from a small town in Wisconsin, where my early curiosity led me to unravel the mysteries of how things were made. Despite my parents being accountants, I boldly asked for a sewing machine for Christmas and began making clothes for my three younger sisters. After high school I moved to NYC, I pursued my passion at Parsons School of Design, specializing in fashion design. After a stint in the fashion industry, my journey led me to an interior design startup.
While working at the startup as a side hustle, I delved into sewing pillows for the interior designers at the company, unveiling an untapped market. Recognizing the opportunity, I felt a sense of responsibility to establish a company that revolutionized how designers manufactured custom furniture for their clients. By seamlessly merging custom technology with furniture manufacturing, we’ve pioneered a unique approach. Technology empowers us to focus on our forte – crafting custom furniture. Our substantial investment in the client services team ensures a smooth process from start to finish.
The pride I feel for the company I’ve built is immense, especially witnessing the flourishing ecosystems of individual employees and teams. There are moments, like glimpsing a collaborative effort on the production floor to tackle a design challenge, that bring a huge smile to my face. It’s in those instances that I’m reminded, “Ah, this is why I do what I do.”
Have you ever had to pivot?
During the pandemic, we quickly navigated a pivot from producing furniture to making masks. My primary objective was to ensure all employees remained employed, and we successfully devised a rapid mask production process. Simultaneously, we developed a website connecting makers with hospitals and high-risk facilities to provide them with masks. This dual initiative not only sustained our business but also contributed to the community. When the time was right, we seamlessly transitioned back to our core focus on furniture.
How’d you meet your business partner?
Tom, my co-founder and dear friend, and I crossed paths in our early 20s through a mutual friend. Interestingly, we found ourselves living on the same block in NYC one summer, and our fast friendship was born. The concept for Stitchroom didn’t emerge until years later. While visting LA during a trip with my girlfriends, I ran into Tom I pitched the idea. Since that moment, we’ve been steadfast co-founders, successfully navigating every twist and turn together. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stitchroom.com
- Instagram: @trystitchroom
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ella-hall-15698071/