Impressions - January/February 2024 - 37

Embroidery: Sew Sweet Academy
At our first stop on our nationwide tour,
we spoke with Alexis Galloway, founder of
Sew Sweet Academy (sewsweetacademy.
com), a machine embroidery membership
community where Galloway diligently guides
her members through their projects stitch
by stitch from start to finish. While chatting,
we learned more about what it takes for
an embroiderer to seamlessly transport and
setup their mobile shop.
Galloway is all in for embroiderers starting
a live decorating embroidery service, highlighting
how it can be a rewarding venture
for those with a passion for design. " With
a clear plan and the right skills/resources,
you can build a successful business, " she says.
" Beginners should choose a machine that fits
your budget and hoop size needs according to
the type of projects you will be making. The
software should be easy to navigate, as well. "
According to Galloway, building relationships
with suppliers and vendors is crucial.
This can include blanks suppliers both local
and overseas for pricing variety. These
relationships will then be able to help you
source items for clients at a much lower cost.
" As a live decorating service, you will be
dealing directly with clients on a regular
basis, " she says. " It's crucial to develop good
customer service skills, including clear communication,
patience, and empathy. You'll
also need to be able to handle criticism and
work collaboratively with clients to bring
their vision to life. "
The benefits of live embroidery not only
include the aforementioned customer engagement
but the opportunity to showcase
the intricate craftsmanship and the decorator's
embroidery skills to a wide audience in real
time. " This not only serves as an effective
marketing tool but also helps to set [you]
apart from competitors who may only offer
pre-made designs, " Galloway says. " Live
events are great opportunities to promote
your brand. They are highly shareable and
can easily create buzz, especially on social
media, which could increase brand visibility
and attract new customers. "
Live decorating has its fair share of benefits
for consumers as well. Galloway explains that
onsite embroidery allows for high levels of
customization. " Consumers can select the
exact design, color, size and placement of
their embroidery, resulting in a product that
matches their personal preferences, " she says.
Being able to watch an item being personalized
in real-time can add an element of
excitement and entertainment, making the
shopping experience unique and memorable,
especially considering customers will be able
to take their personalized item home with
them that day. " This immediate gratification
can enhance the overall shopping experience, "
says Galloway. " An onsite embroidered item
can be a thoughtful and unique gift. It adds
a personal touch which is often appreciated
for gifts. "
Despite the thrills of watching those needles
fly, live decorating embroidery can be
somewhat tricky. When you're working live
at an event, Galloway says you might be under
pressure to complete designs quickly, which
could make it harder to do your best work and
possibly make mistakes. The machinery can
also work against you by getting jammed or
breaking down completely. To troubleshoot
these problems, Galloway advises you double-check
everything from designs to colors
to placement, provide regular maintenance
to your machines and always have a backup
plan ready to go at the first sign of trouble.
Transporting a mobile machine embroidery
shop incurs several costs, some of which
include vehicle expenses such as gas, insurance
Creativity isn't limited with onsite decorating.
Photo courtesy of Impressions Expo
Being able to watch an
item being personalized
in real-time can add an
element of excitement
and entertainment,
making the shopping
experience unique
and memorable
Onsite embroidery can be educational and
inspiring. Photo courtesy of Impressions Expo
Jan./Feb. 2024
P.37
Impressions - January/February 2024

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