We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hilary Edwards. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hilary below.

Alright, Hilary thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

I’d say one of the most innovative things I’ve done for my business is the use of a projector to cut out my patterns. It is a fairly new use of technology in the sewing world. And to some it seems intimidating. But I knew that it would be a game changer for my business. It definitely was a learning curve for me. And I’m pretty sure that it took me almost 2 weeks of frustration to initially set it up and calibrate it with my space and my computer. However, now that I’ve had it set up for over 2 years it has become the mostly seamless and efficient way for me to cut out patterns. I can cut out just about any size or style that I’d like. And I’ve also taught myself how to manipulate, grade and mash multiple patterns/styles to my customer’s preferences and sizing. My projector is mounted to my ceiling and I simply project the patterns onto the fabric for fast and easy cutting.

Hilary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Prior to opening my business I earned my degree majoring in fashion merchandising at Philadelphia University (now Thomas Jefferson University). Pre and post graduation I worked in retail for nearly 15 years. My goal was always to own my own boutique. But I had always imagined that I’d have others designs for sale in my shop. After ending my career in retail, I decided to become a nanny for my brothers children so that I could be with my own children. At this point in my life I had never sewn a stitch! In 2013 my dear grandmother passed away. She was a master seamstress. And in an effort to honor her memory I decided that I wanted to learn how to sew. I started out making simple things like burp cloths and blankets for my children. I then went down the rabbit hole of garment sewing and fell in love. Making your own piece of clothing was a satisfaction like no other to me. I began sharing my creations online and my friends began to ask me if they could purchase my clothing. I hesitated for a few years, I felt like I needed more time and experience. Then in 2016 my midwife asked me if I’d like to sell my crafts at her winter market she was hosting. I reluctantly agreed because I knew this was the opportunity I needed to get things going. I started out making children’s and women’s clothing. But I quickly learned that my love for women’s fashion trumped everything else. I now specialize in women’s custom handmade apparel. Customers send me their measurements and I create a piece they love that fits them perfectly. It can be so frustrating to go shopping only to feel defeated by mass retail sizing. I am proud to sew clothing for my customers that fit them and make them feel confident and beautiful. I make sizes from XXS-5X and I can go beyond that if need be. I am happy to accommodate different lengths and preferences for my customers. I enjoy sourcing fabrics from other small businesses to offer to my customers to select their own custom style with custom sizing. Customers often send me inspiration photos for me to recreate. I also enjoy making one of a kind items for auctions and markets. Those items allow me to keep the creative juices flowing. What makes me most happy and feeling very successful is when my customers tell me that my clothing makes them feel good about themselves and how they’ve gained so much more confidence since wearing my clothing. Doing this work also allows me, a single mother of 3 children, to be home and available for my children. It is not easy being a mom and entrepreneur but it is absolutely rewarding in so many ways.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

A big part of my business is creating and fostering relationships with my clients. Most of my customers have become my friends. I know style preferences, their measurements and their children. In my VIP Facebook group we are like a family, a community of friends. We share fun interactive posts which helps us to get to know each other. And when my customers place an order with me it often times involves a lot of chatting back and forth about styles, fabrics and preferences but also includes friendly chit chat that I throughly enjoy.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2020 I decided to divorce my then husband. It was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life. Not only for myself and for my children but for my business as well. Could I feasibly continue running my own business without the safety net and support of a partner? I had to make that decision and I knew that I could. It has not been easy. In fact it’s been much harder than I’d like to let on. But it’s been almost 3 years now and I am not giving up. It is hard being your own daily motivation for success. But for me, the benefits outweigh trials of it all. And being available for my children is absolutely priceless.

Contact Info:

• Website: rubyjeanbysjh.com
• Instagram: rubyjean_bysjh
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubyjeanbysjh?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• VIP group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/rubyjeanbysjh/?ref=share_group_link

Image Credits
Erin Strasburg- Wandering Willow Designs Victoria Henley