Behind The Scenes | Owner Spotlight!

 

Did you know Fabric Mart is a woman owned business? In honor of International Women's Day last Friday, we decided it was time to put our owners in the spotlight & ask them a few questions. 

Everyone say hello to Julie & Lisa!

1.) Introduce yourself, who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm Julie and I am a co-owner of Fabric Mart. I am married to my husband, Zach and we have two wonderful little boys -- Jakob is 6 years old and Lukas is 7 months old. I love sewing, creating and being outside. We love trying new restaurants and exploring areas both near and far. 

2.) What brought you to Fabric Mart?
I started working at Fabric Mart just after graduating from college. I went to school to be an art teacher and did not land a position and needed a job. Fabric Mart was hiring for warehouse assistant and I got it! 

3.) We know you both wear many hats, but what is your main role? What do you do?
My role has evolved a lot over the last 16 years but currently I am the Fabric Buyer, Virtual Class Coordinator and am the woman behind Julie's Picks Swatch Club. I also create content for our social media among many other tasks! 

4.) How long have you been with Fabric Mart? 
It will be 16 years this August. 

5.) What's your favorite part about Fabric Mart?
Practically everything! I really enjoy everything I do. Of course there are those days when things are hard but when you own a business, you better enjoy what you do otherwise you're in the wrong profession!

6.) Do you consider yourself crafty?
Yup, if I could sew every single day, I would! I mostly sew garments for myself but have also made quilts. I did weaving during college and loved that but do not have a loom of my own. Being a busy mom I don't get a lot of time to do these things, even though I'm in a sewing-related business. I enjoy doing hand embroidery because I can pick it up and put it down pretty easily. Other than sewing I do enjoy drawing and painting (although it's been years!) 

7.) Favorite thing to do outside of work? Any hobbies?
Haha---sewing! See question #6. I enjoy sharing experiences with my husband and kids. We love trying new restaurants as well as trying new recipes. We have taken a bunch of cooking classes over the years and it has really helped me become a better cook. We have a veggie garden in our yard and I'm excited to get started on that soon.

8.) Do you collect anything?
Fabric! lol (It's true and probably to be expected!)  Actually I've collected a lot of things over the years but I'm always on the hunt for Fiestaware. I especially like the serveware. I have plenty of place settings in a bunch of colors. I've been to the Fiestaware Outlet in Newell, WV and it's a dream come true! 

9.) What is a TV show you are currently binge watching?
The Gilded Age on Max, usually after the kids go to bed, I crawl into bed and watch it by myself. Otherwise there are a lot of Bluey episodes on in my house! It's the one kids show I enjoy watching with my kids. I love how they throw in things adults can relate to! My husband and I love watching The Amazing Race and food competition shows. 

10.) If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza

11.) Drop some knowledge… What’s the best advice you were ever given?
There are a few mantras I keep in the back of my mind -- Just Do Your Best; Life will throw you curveballs, how you handle it is what matters; Breathe. 

12.) Anything else you'd like to share?
I am so thankful for all the customers near and far that shop at Fabric Mart. It's humbling to know that you trust us and I love being able to find fabric for you. If I think back to what I really wanted to do "when I grow up" this is exactly what I wanted to do! 

1.) Introduce yourself, who are you? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi I am Lisa and I am a Co-Owner of Fabric Mart. I am a proud Dog Mom, bookworm, outdoors enthusiast and ultra-marathoner.

2.) What brought you to Fabric Mart?
I am actually a second-generation owner as my Dad was a previous owner. I grew up working here, before there was a website! I used to do a lot of stapling and labeling for our original mail order catalogs. Who remembers those? I did however take a break and earned my bachelor's degree from James Madison University in Health Sciences, worked as ophthalmic technician for five years in Washington DC, and earned my Masters of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. One day back in 2010, while skiing with my Dad, he mentioned he was already planning his exit from the business and that if I ever had any interest in coming back, now was the time.

3.) We know you both wear many hats, but what is your main role? What do you do?
Continuing from the previous question, when I came back my Dad made sure I worked my way back in. I can proudly say I have performed every position in the business from the warehouse to cutting fabric orders to working in our retail store. However, my main responsibilities today are managing our finances, HR, and general operations.

4.) How long have you been with Fabric Mart?
Continuously the last 13+ years.

5.) What's your favorite part about Fabric Mart?
Hands down our staff. Our employees are the absolute best around. None of this would be possible without them or without you, the customers!

6.) Do you consider yourself crafty?
I’m sorry to disappoint you but not at all. I can do some basic sewing but I don’t enjoy it. Patience is a virtue which I might be missing!

7.) Favorite thing to do outside of work? Any hobbies?
I have a lot of hobbies that I love including running, hiking with my significant other and rescue pup Izzy, reading (the book club I started with friends is going on it’s 10th year!) and cooking.

8.) Do you collect anything?
I definitely tend towards the minimalist side but do have a moderate collection of books and jigsaw puzzles.

9.) What is a TV show you are currently binge watching?
I am currently re-watching This is Us and cry every episode.

10.) If you could only eat one dish for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza!

11.) Drop some knowledge… What’s the best advice you were ever given?
Cliché, but ‘treat other people as you want to be treated’ goes a long way and works in almost every situation.

12.) Anything else you'd like to share?
Just a little plug for Fabric Mart which you probably don’t need since you are already reading this. I hope you feel good about shopping at Fabric Mart. Every time you purchase from us you are supporting a small, woman owned, family business. You are purchasing a product that could have gone to waste and that is shipped to you in a recycled box. Thanks for reading and thank you for shopping with us!