We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kathy Tucker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kathy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission has been an evolution from a school educator and college professor combined with my passion for quilting. I believe that we all possess a creative skills and abilities that can be fostered through the art of quiltmaking. I have developed a 3-prong focus with my business

Quilt Instructor:
As a longtime educator in elementary, secondary, and higher education, I provide quilting classes that are entertaining, educational, and inspiring.

Longarm Quilting:
I am a certified long arm quilter which enables me to provide longarm quilting to new and vintage quilt tops. Clients are able to have their own projects quilted or to have vintage tops quilted.

Memory Quilts:
Clients can have their loved ones clothing turned in to lasting and memorable quilts. T-shirts and traditional clothing is turned into quilts that allow them to remember their special individual.

Kathy, 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?

There are two parts that encompass the beginning of my story. The first is in education. I was a classroom teacher in music, early childhood, and mainly special education. I pursued my doctorate and moved to higher education as a professor in special education, teaching future and current teachers. Teaching has been and continues to be my passion.

The second part of my journey started 35 years ago when I began learning the art of quilt making. This obsession has continued to grow as I embrace new styles, techniques, and patterns through quilts. This has evolved into a quilting business that encompasses memory/t-shirt quilts, custom quilts, long-arm quilting, quilt rejuvenation, and teaching quilt classes. I currently teach at 5 studios and in my home studio. I am adding the 4-H program, working with youth, to my quilt teaching schedule.

As a lifetime educator, I believe strongly in continued education and gaining new skills and knowledge. I am now a certified Longarm Quilter. I have recently obtained my Instructor Certification in the Laura Heine fabric collage technique. I have been accepted and will soon achieve my Design 180 Tucker Tools Instructor Certification. It is through my continued quest for knowledge that I am able to pass this on to my quilting students.

I believe what sets me apart is my extensive background in education. Students consistently remark that they love my classes and learn so much from these classes. My classes are are inspiring and educational while meeting the needs of each individual learner and skill level.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I have several sources for gathering clients and maintaining a relationship with these individuals. The first and most valuable source is the studio where I teach my classes. I maintain and list serve with these clients so that I am able to share my website, Social media pages, upcoming classes and services, and my monthly newsletter.

I have a monthly email newsletter through Mailchimp. I use the free resources available from this source. I consistently send out this newsletter that includes my services, longarm quilting, t-shirt and memory quilts, and quilt rejuvenation. I highlight all of my upcoming classes with the studio information, times. and fees. Graphic images are the biggest enticement that I include in this monthly newsletter. I share a personal statement in this newsletter and links to my social media and webpage.

I maintain a consistent and continually updated social media presence. I have a business Facebook page and Instagram. I share all upcoming classes. I post completed services as I complete these, such as longarm quilting and memory quilts. I tag the client, if I am able, to generate more interest and awareness of my business.

The last source that I use is my webpage through Go Daddy. This has been a learning process for me as I develop a user friendly webpage that is appealing and informative. I am able to directly link the shop where my classes are located on this webpage. I include an extensive gallery of my work and services for the client to peruse and access. I have a direct link to my phone as well.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

No journey is void of struggles and certain pitfalls. Most recently my resilience was tested with the Covid pandemic and a battle with metastatic melanoma. I was incredibly fortunate to participate in an immunotherapy trial at MDA Anderson. I am currently cancer-free and the treatment for the cancer was successful. I will deal with lymphedema issues for the rest of my life, but that isn’t stopping me. I follow the suggested protocol and keep on going.

I noticed the pandemic slowed the enrollment of the classes. These are steadily growing as my business grows. The exciting part is the surge in locations of my classes to 5 studios, my home studio, and now the 4-H program in Montgomery County. I have made many memory quilts as well as rejuvenated quilt tops that family members created but have been left unfinished. My Longarm quilting component has consistently grown due to my exposure, reputation, and students that utilize my services.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kandsquilting.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathy_quilts_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KandSQuilting

Image Credits
All of these images are mine.