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

Lori, appreciate you joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success can be different in each individual’s eyes. For me, success has been owning, maintaining, and making a profit in my small business. I never could have imagined all the extras that go into running a successful business. But having the right support team is what has made me successful. First of all is my husband. He encourages me to keep going and to not give up. My friends and family support my business and never expect favors. My CPA is a call away and helps me with so many of my financial and business questions. I had a wonderful friend give me a discount on advertising when I first started my business. I have so many people in my life that have helped me figure out how to run and maintain my business correctly. For the work side of my business, living in a small town is beneficial. Since growing a clientele, word of mouth is all the advertising I need. Business stays steady with word of mouth of my customers and my good reputation.

So being successful can look different to different people. But for me, my business is running, growing, and I can’t wait to see where I will be in the next 5+ years.

Lori, 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?

In high school my mom taught me the basics of sewing: how to hem pants, how to sew on a button, how to use a sewing machine, and how to read a pattern. I didn’t care too much about the skill at the time until some friends introduced me to cosplay in 2015. Creating my own custom costumes began to teach me more sewing skills, better pattern making/reading skills, and trying again when I majorly messed up. Since then, I often altered clothing for myself and for my husband. My friends began to ask me if I could alter their clothes, and their friends’ clothes. I realized that alterations where a huge need in my community with the sewing generation retiring or passing away. The art of being a seamstress is dying. My business was born in March of 2021 out of my home. I offered clothing alterations and repairs. I am always up for a challenge with alterations, but sometimes honesty is key with my clients. I can’t always repair or alter everything. But I will definitely give it my best! As I tell my customers, I don’t do upholstery or men’s suits, but I will do everything else! I never know if I will be sewing on patches on a motorcycle jacket, working on pageant dresses, hemming pants, or altering someone’s wardrobe of clothes.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I have had so many jobs in my life since I could start working. From pet sitting, to a cheese shop, to a radio station, to eye care, I finally decided I was tired of working for someone else and wanted to be my own boss. I quit my job and got my real estate license and started my sewing business. After a year of doing both, I could tell my sewing business, Sew What? was taking more of my time and was a huge need in my community. I made the decision to retire my real estate license and pursue sewing full time. During that decision I was able to move my sewing business out of my home and into a storefront. Best thing ever! I had a distinct workplace, and I wasn’t torn between distractions of being home.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word of mouth. Between the lack of alteration services in my town and my outcome of satisfied customers, my clients find me easily. I have been blessed so much by this, that I don’t even have to advertise anymore. Between community Facebook pages, word of mouth, and a quick google search, I am available to provide my services. I also work with the other small businesses in my community. We often times send one another customers!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sewwseamstress.wixsite.com/sew-what
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sewwhatseamstress

Image Credits
Amanda Swanson Photography SeanCorbin Media