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

Susana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I love being the business owner of Lilly’s Sewn Comfort. Lilly’s Sewn Comfort is a minky business where I sew stuffed animals, pillows, scrunchies and blankets. Having my own business is allowing me to have time with my kids and grandkids. I can schedule my orders and sewing around picking up my grandkid from school and homeschooling my younger kids. It allows me some freedom on how I plan out my day and the time I have with my family. During my busy season it does take up a lot more of my time, because starting and running a business is not just the 9-5 job where I go home and someone else answers the phones or emails! Right now, it is on me to do everything to keep my business going, including the ordering of supplies, answering emails, uploading and removing items on my website. Sometimes I do think about working a regular job- to put more money into my business- but I believe it will grow the way it is intended to grow. I tend to think of working a regular job during my slow seasons because my business doesn’t bring in as much in the middle of summer, when it is super hot here in Texas. So that is when I really debate on getting a regular job. I love sewing and making blankets that provide comfort and warmth and it fills my heart to see someone cuddled up with an item that I made with so much care and love!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I have been sewing blankets for several years and it has always been something I love to do. My mom taught me to sew when I was about 14. She would sew and sell quilts at a local flea market in Melrose Park IL. I chose to start Lilly’s Sewn Comfort because I have seen what a blanket means to not only myself, but for others as well. For a child it can mean not only comfort, but what helps them sleep at night. One of my sons could not sleep without his minky blanket! He loved the soft texture and would rub the corners between his fingers as he fell asleep. A blanket can become so important to a child that they take it everywhere. It becomes their comfort and security. For an adult it can be a special something that was given to them by a loved one. When that loved one is away, it makes them feel just a little closer to the person who gave it to them. My husband was in the Army and would deploy, so having something of his helped me get through the months he was away. The weight of a blanket can feel like a warm hug on a cold or difficult day. This ultrasoft minky material is what sets my products apart from other toys or blankets that you find in local department stores. I participate in events near me, and I enjoy it because it allows me to meet my customers and takes me back to the time spent with my mom on the weekends.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I started my business, I took to Facebook right away and sent my page to friends and family. I also joined some online groups for creators. One day I was invited by the owner of Yellow City Dreams- a wonderful person whom I now know personally- to join her group of creators. She has been such an inspiration to me, and she really taught me how to promote and do live shows to get my business seen. She also introduced me to other ladies who have shown me so much support and helped me to build confidence in myself as a small business owner. If you can find yourself a great group of other creators and business owners, be sure to not be afraid to say, “I need some advice, or I don’t know how to do this” and listen to the feedback. Show others support and be their hype team, build a community of support!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I had just started participating in vendor events and at the time only had minky blankets so not a lot of variety of items. Well, it was mid-summer at the time and people would walk right past, because nobody wants a blanket when it is 90 degrees outside! I had a few people comment on how it is too hot to even look at blankets! Others who didn’t know what minky fabric was would comment rather negatively on my prices. I would be left having spent money to be in a show and not make the money I spent back. It was discouraging, but supportive friends told me to not stop, to keep with it, and so I kept pushing and now I also make scrunchies, stuffed animals and pillows. Running a business has its ups and downs so we have to push through the downs so we can enjoy the ups!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LillysSewnComfort.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lillyssewncomfort/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LillysSewnComfort

Image Credits
All pictures have been taken by myself