We were lucky to catch up with Lisa Shepard stewart recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lisa, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

I think the first step is to define what “success” means for you – is it simply making lots of money, having control of your time/schedule, making a contribution to society, sharing your knowledge or talent, etc. Another important factor in success is to have a genuine passion for whatever you’re doing, and to approach it with an open, flexible mindset. Authenticity is also an important factor.

Lisa, 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?

I am a writer, designer and instructor based in New Jersey. My obsession with African textiles began in 1986, during a trip to Senegal, West Africa. In my DIY project books, (African Accents: Fabrics and Crafts to Decorate Your Home and Global Expressions: Decorating with Fabrics from Around the World), I encourage others to express themselves creatively through culturally relevant techniques and materials. I published my third book, African Accents On The Go! Designing Accessories with Cultural Style in June 2007, and in 2011 I began publishing FABRIGASM, The Magazine, for Lovers of African Textiles.

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I offer classes and events internationally, and travel to West Africa to source artists, fabrics and materials. I also organize and host SewJourns, unique travel opportunities centered on African textiles in various destinations.

I graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City with a Bachelors degree in Marketing and an Associate degree in Communications, and have held various positions in the sewing, craft, and textile industries, including creative director, writer/consultant, fabric buyer, merchandiser, and marketing manager.

I opened CE’s studio location in downtown Rahway, NJ in December 2017. The space combines retail and event space for classes and private parties. In 2018 I created a method for my faraway customers to shop all of the studio’s merchandise by way of Virtual Visits, which are personal shopping appointments via video phone call. When the pandemic hit in 2020, I added Zoom as an option, and shifted to online booking of appointments to keep up with the demand, one of many pivots I had to navigate to survive the pandemic. Although customers could not come into the studio, these visits and online orders allowed the business to not only survive, but to thrive. My main customers are quilting and sewing enthusiasts, and other DIYers from dollmakers to home decorators and crafters.

Through these varied activities, my mission is two-fold: to share a positive view of Africa thru the creativity of its textile artists, and to guide others in using the fabrics creatively, while fostering an appreciation for the cultures that create them. Visit CulturedExpressions.com, and follow us on IG and FB @culturedexpressions

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Part of building my reputation is simply time. I started my business in 2002 and since that time, customers and students have come to appreciate my knowledge of African textiles and of various sewing and quilting techniques over time. My consistency in the quality of product, in customer service and in other ways builds trust, which creates my reputation.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

I’ve always believed in reinvesting profits of the business back into the business. I had a part time job that provided a regular paycheck along with health benefits, which gave me stability, allowing me to grow the business gradually, so it was always financially self sustaining. Initially, I ran the business online from my home to keep overhead low, (and I wasn’t even interested in a physical space until much later on) so I was able to save money. When the time came to move into a brick ‘n’ mortar space, I was able to draw from the savings, so I didn’t have to approach traditional funding channels to make it happen. Also, in that time I intentionally build up credit in the business name via bank accounts, credit and debit cards, so that if I ever did need or want to apply for outside funding, the company had its own credit history.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.CulturedExpressions.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/culturedexpressions
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/culturedexpressions
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/CEFabricVideos
• Other: Virtual Classroom: www.culturedexpressions.podia.com

Image Credits
CulturedExpressions.com