Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jesy Anderson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jesy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I learned how to sew in school, but it was not the best experience. So I never wanted to do it after. Fast forward to 2010, I was frustrated with the options of clothing for my boyfriend’s daughter; when I would take her at 4 to get new clothes, everything was so tiny for her, just not allowing her to be a little kid. So I decided that I was going to try to sew again. I bought a 70-dollar machine from the local fabric shop, all the needed supplies, and started reading tutorials, blogs, and watching videos. There weren’t a lot of options locally to learn in person, so I made many mistakes and learned a lot of valuable info by trial and error.
I made my now daughter a bunch of clothing in the first year, upcycling and remaking.
Then in 2011, my corporate job severed me, and I decided to start my business sewing items and selling them.
Once I started teaching people to sew, I learned much about clothing construction, quilting, and bag making; I pattern-tested for designers and went all in. I have been in business for seven years, filling the niche to teach people to sew at all ages.
The normal obstacles, money, marketing, covid, and space… but we made it through, and it seems like more and more people have wanted to learn!

Jesy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hi! I am Jesy, a sewing instructor, small business owner, and creative. I have always been doing something creative in one way or another, be it photography, painting, sewing, etc. I started 2012 a small business, Sew Dayton, with a business partner. We started the company to bring sewing classes and unique, fun fabrics to the area. We did and had the business for almost four years. Then I opened a Sewing school/studio in 2016. Because I found my passion is teaching the community to sew and be empowered.

I come from a corporate background in accounting, logistics, credit/collections, and receivables/payables. Which I believe helped me with running a small business. Once severed, I dove into learning how to open a small online business and worked on making items to sell on Etsy and through a personal website.

I believe my empathy, compassion, love of having fun, and drive to help my community set my studio apart from others. For me, it’s not about making millions but helping others find something creative they can pour themselves into. Creativity is key to good mental health and overall happiness. Being passionate about something that you make is the best feeling. Seeing my students get excited and proud of what they created is all I need. I get to see genuine happiness. But I also hear about my students’ lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I hear a lot about sewing being their therapy, and it makes me happy to hold a safe space for all in my community.

I love to help people, and if anyone wants to learn to sew for fun, to alter their clothing, to start a business, or whatever, I would love to be the person that helps you reach your goals and dreams!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best way to support artists and creatives is to take value in their talents. Most creatives/artists have honed their skills for years, maybe even decades. They must be respected and paid correctly for their abilities, tangible goods, etc. Share with your friends the newest creations and what you purchased, or even take a class together. Don’t stereotype the craft either; many skills have been updated and shifted a little, and it’s not typically what you might think! Give it a chance or a try!
Be excited with them when they have a win or a new product. Social interaction and sharing are the best! Word of mouth (and making purchases) is always an artist’s best friend.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A time I had to pivot was after closing my first business. I needed to find a new space and all that goes with the opening. Thankfully we had inventory left over, and we split what was left, machines/etc. But after closing getting back up and running quickly was the biggest challenge. I couldn’t be open five days a week anymore while teaching, so I became a private studio with one day open to the public for alterations. I no longer had retail due to limited space (my first studio was 350 square feet). It was humbling and defiantly something that made me look at the entire business plan I thought I had and started over with it more focused on teaching.

And the planning worked out; I could book enough classes and private sewing lessons to continue to pay bills and such; it was scary! But so worth it in the end, and now I have a playbook for when times are slow so I can continue working.     

Contact Info:

• Website: www.needleinkandthread.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/needleinkandthread
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/needleinkandthread
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesyanderson/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/needleinkandthread
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/needle-ink-and-thread-kettering?osq=needle+ink+and+thread

Image Credits
Photo credit Jesy Anderson