Client Corner

This client was featured in August 2003. The information in this profile was accurate at the time of writing. Please contact us if you believe something should be changed.

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Peggy Zumbach
The Stichin' Shop
Independence, Iowa

Peggy Zumbach had done what many other career women do. When her two sons were young, she "retired" from her career in accounting to care for them. When they entered school, she realized she "needed something additional to do, but wanted to maintain the flexibility to meet the boys' needs."

She had a business concept in mind. She had been sewing since she was a child, and knew an embroidery business could incorporate her hobby and help provide a good living for her family.

The Stitchin' Shop, which offers custom machine embroidery, was open for business in January of 2002. " I do embroidery on shirts, hats, blankets, and even ring bearer pillows." For the first six months, Zumbach focused on learning the embroidery techniques. After nine months, she decided to enroll in the Fast Trac class offered by the UNI Regional Business Center. She used Fast Trac to think about what direction she wanted the business to take. "Marketing is my weakest point and I have used many ideas from the course."

During the summer, Zumbach runs the business from her home. When school is going, the Stitchin' Shop is located in an office in Independence, Iowa. Zumbach says the Shop is successful because, "as a small business I have been able to provide very personalized service. I also offer quality products, produced in a reasonable amount of time at competitive prices."

If given the chance to do it all over again, Zumbach says she would, even with the struggles. "My greatest challenge has been becoming a salesperson. I have been somewhat of a quiet person and struggled to contact potential customers I did not know." Well, these days, the customers come to her. Her best reward comes from these customers that compliment her work when she has completed their projects.

Even with the success, Zumbach says, "owning your own business is not all fun and glory. It takes a lot of hard work and many long hours." She would like potential customers to know that the business will kick into full gear again when school starts. The Stitchin' Shop offers a wide variety of designs, and Zumbach is also able to incorporate designs that customers may desire. The Stitchin' Shop is located in the Tech Center of Independence, Iowa.

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