In this Opportunity Thinking Series episode, I talk with Jeanelle Dech about utilizing personal strengths and the importance of timing in recognizing good-fit opportunities. Jeanelle shares a personal project that has brought more joy and meaning to her life and how my podcast example helped propel the project forward.

We encourage everyone to go to www.ThoseBoysontheHill.com to learn more about the podcast and book of the same title. Once there, be sure to subscribe to and read the blog which features book excerpts and related content.

 

 

Mentioned links:

Catching Up with Lea Tran

Ron Howard on Smartless

Those Boys on the Hill is available on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and most podcasting platforms.

Preview of Episode 3 – Iszel’s Smile 

Episode 7 – Talking Trauma with Tracie 

Episode 9- Black and Blackish with Cody (Jeanelle’s youngest brother) 

 

 

Jess Kook-Whitley is the proud owner of Byrne Sewing, a cornerstone of the sewing community for over 45 years. Taking the helm three years ago, Jess has led the business with dedication and a passion for fostering creativity and customer care, exceeding industry standards and achievements. A graduate of Philadelphia University with a degree in Fashion Design, Jess’s journey came full circle when she returned to Byrne Sewing to combine her design expertise with her love of business and serving her sewing community. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jess is a devoted wife and mom to two sweet toddlers, who inspire her drive for success every day. Her family and deep-rooted love for sewing fuel her commitment to helping others bring their creative visions to life.

Links and Resources;

Byrne Sewing Connection

 

Byrne Sewing Connection is on Facebook and Instagram

The Goal Digger Podcast

 

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech  

 

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Nina Zhelev, founder of My Shade Kit, has spent the last 20 years in the United States, where she has built a successful career in the textile industry. With over 25 years of experience in various roles, she has honed her skills as a professional pattern maker, collaborating with renowned brands such as Hugo Boss, Strellson, Yoop!, La-Z-Boy, McCalls, Simplicity, just to name a few.

  Nina is the proud owner of Noble Design, a home furnishings workroom that has been serving interior designers in the Raleigh area for over 15 years. In 2020, she launched My Shade Kit – part of the VAKO distribution, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to innovation.  

Passionate about embracing new challenges, Nina balances her professional endeavors while raising two teenagers. She enjoys good food and traveling, always seeking inspiration from diverse cultures and experiences.

 

Links and Resources;

 

Nina's Shilly Shally Shade Class on the Workroom Channel

You can see a preview of this course here in the Drapery & Design Digital Digest

Blind Matrix Software

Emily Marshall owns the custom workroom Emily Marshall Custom Sewing in Santa Rosa California. The one person workroom took shape in 2014 when her youngest went to preschool she offered sewing as a service on Craigslist. That started her off on a path she’d never imagined. Sewing mostly at night anything and everything from dog collars, zebra skin into rugs, sails for sailboats, a blackout lining for a circus tent, large production runs…. In 2017 she enrolled in fashions studies night classes at the local junior college to connect with other sewers and learn pattern making and draping skills she still uses when making slipcovers. Emily started offering after school hand sewing classes at her local elementary schools in 2019. Teaching kids from 4-14 years old has been the most rewarding part of her career yet. Over the years as her kids grew up she has grown her business. Emily has always loved sewing and being creative. She also loves the flexible schedule owning her own business has provided while raising her kids. These days when Emily’s not in her workroom she’s exploring the great outdoors or cheering on her two teenagers playing soccer and volleyball.

 

Emily is on Facebook

 

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech  

 

Kate Winton has been an interior design professional for over 30 years.  She has held design and marketing positions with Macy’s, F. Schumacher & Co. and P/Kaufmann, Inc.  Kate has also independently done interior design for individuals and businesses.  During her career, she always admired the various seamstresses she worked with over the years.  Kate's mother was an avid sewer all her life, creating thousands of quilts, baby quilts, and various other fabric items including sewing Halloween costumes for her grandchildren.  Kate's Mom encouraged her to take sewing lessons and helped her over the years.  She is now deeply involved in sewing and fabricating drapes, window treatments, cushions, ensembles, etc.  She has been able to combine her newfound passion for sewing with her design work and looks forward to acquiring more skills.  

 

Links and Resources;

Workroom Tech

Nicole Nomer - Raise Your Shades

Rosemarie Garner

Seamless Workroom

Alabama Chanin

 

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech  

 

In a previous life, Julie Thome had a 20-year banking career as a foreign currency trader, which brought her to the United States in 1995. A lifelong passion for fabrics and sewing, however, inspired her to start her drapery workroom when her children were small. Since 2000, she has owned and operated Julie Thome Draperies Inc., a to-the-trade workroom in Bethel, Conn., specializing in high-end details and turnkey distance project management. Her business has grown, and now counts some of the biggest names in design — both in the U.S. and internationally — as regular clients. Project locations currently include New York, Washington, D.C., Idaho, Montana, Texas, Florida, Maine, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, New Hampshire, Alabama and Bermuda. Julie’s work has been published in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, UK House & Garden, Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, Home Beautiful Australia, Flower Magazine, and New England Home, as well as in books by clients James T. Farmer III, Heidi Caillier Design, and Nina Farmer Interiors.

 

Julie is on Facebook and Instagram

Elki Camacho is a Business Consultant specializing in Strategic Growth and Operational Excellence.

By focusing on people, process, and technology, Elki aids businesses in transforming their business models, scaling intentionally, and transforming cultures to create more profitable businesses.

As a consultant, Elki operates in various capacities to strengthen business acumen, hone operational execution, deliver training and development, act as an extended part of your business, and provide ongoing coaching to meet your business needs.

As a champion of Women in Business and Diversity and Inclusion, Elki is an avid community mentor and provides coaching and professional development to women rising in their careers.

She sits on the Leadership team of BNI Chapter 25, is on the Board of Women Entrepreneurs of Hudson County as well as Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, and is the founder of WeMentors. She is the Principal and CEO of Elki Consulting Group.

 

Links and Resources; (I sometimes use affiliate links and I am grateful if you choose to use them.)

Now What by Laura Berman Fortgang

You Just Don't Understand by Deborah Tannen

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey

Interior Elegance by Elki

(Some of the links I provide, specifically to Amazon and a few others, require me to let you know that if you use those links and make a purchase, I will make some money.  I won't make a million dollars, but I might be able to get a cup of coffee, so thank you!)

 

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech  

 

Founder of Harmon Enterprises, Stacey is a productivity coach and top Evernote Certified Consultant who specializes in helping disorganized and unproductive people get their lives in order with Evernote.   Through her membership, guides and training programs, she shows busy people how to take back control of their digital lives to give them the freedom, space, and time they crave. Thanks to her Evernote-based GTD® practice she enjoys a paperless laptop-lifestyle which often takes her far beyond her home base of Austin, Texas. 

Discounted Evernote Link

Stacey's Newsletter

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;   It's always a pleasure for me to talk with Ralph Angel!  He's one of the first people I met in this industry and he was so helpful.  Today you'll hear about what and who! is new at Angel's!     Angel's Distributing, LLC   You can find Angel's on LinekdIn, Facebook and Instagram      

 

Links and Resources; 

Circle Time Webinare with Michele Williams for PRO Plus members of the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library.

 

The Mel Robbins Podcast with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin

 

Podcast with Susan Woodcock

 

The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech  

 

 

 

Suzy Daruwala is the owner of Sew Bella Home, a full-service drapery and fabrication studio servicing homeowners, builders, and designers alike.  Clients say they enjoy working with Suzy because she has the ability to really listen and interpret their needs and desires and helps to translate their vision into a well-executed design and fabrication plan. She delivers exceptional quality and is very detail-oriented.  She founded her company in November of 2007 in Branchburg, NJ, relocated to Lexington, MA in 2010, and finally landed in Del Mar, CA in 2015.  In 2001 she started taking sewing classes, first in clothing construction, then upholstery and finally Window treatments, slipcovers, and bedding.  After attending a CHF conference in 2007 she decided to open her own business.  Suzy started her career as a nurse and holds a bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of KY and a master's degree in Child and Adolescent Psychiatric nursing from the University of Cincinnati.      Suzy is on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram   Links; Michele Williams Scarlet Thread Consulting The Secret by Rhonda Byrne     The Sew Much More Podcast is sponsored by;     Klimaka Studios   The Workroom Channel   Scarlet Thread Consulting   The WCAA   The Curtains and Soft Furnishings Resource Library   Merril Y Landis, LTD   Angel's Distributing, LLC   National Upholstery Association   Workroom Tech