Made in Mississippi Blog

It's hard for me to believe that the end of this year completes the shop's third year in operation. It's been a wild ride since I opened this shop full-time at the end of 2019: first C*VID, then supply chain issues, now inflation, and potentially that dreaded "R" word that seems to be lurking around the corner. Earlier this week, I was reading a story of a local Mississippi business that is closing its doors effective immediately. All 2700+ employees were laid off without any notice. It's absolutely heartbreaking, and the news comes at the worst time of the year. These stories seem to be more common lately as our economic forecast grows a bit more grim each day. Even with COVID and supply chain issues in my first two years, it was fairly easy to sell my pillows. We all had money to spend, and we were all eager to freshen up our homes that had now become our offices. But something changed this summer. What should've been a big sales month in July turned into my first month of negative growth. That stung a bit, and it certainly brought about a bit of anxiety thinking this might be the new normal for a while.

Fabrics can vary from bolt to bolt because of the handmade nature in the manufacturing process. It's important to make sure you receive exactly what you expect, so read our first post in a series of posts on how to best shop our pillow covers.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11 I opened my first blog post with this verse, and I find it just as appropriate for today's reflection too. If you've been following me for a while you know about my career change just over two years ago... and my walking through an open door. This unsettling feeling I had been having for the previous months wouldn't go away, so I made the decision to leave my very stable role as a pediatric hematology/oncology nurse and run this very unstable pillow shop full-time. To mitigate a little bit of the financial risk, I took a part-time job as a school nurse that would allow me more time in my workroom but also provide a small, consistent income...

Many emotions have filled my heart this year, and I don't think anyone can say 2020 was what he or she expected.  COVID-19 has affected us all in some way, and this year has been hard on us all.  One year ago today I left my pediatric nursing career to make Mississippi Stitches full-time.  If I had known what would happen just a few months later, I probably would have reconsidered!  But, I'm so grateful for this journey, and I'm grateful you are here on the journey with me.  Read more about my decision to change career paths and how 2020 affected my business.

Recently I added new cabinetry and workspace to my sewing room.  A friend of mine who also happens to be an interior designer came up with the plans, and I couldn't be more pleased with the result!  This new storage space and Murphy style cutting table is a game changer, and has helped me become more efficient in my day to day operations.  Read more about how this design came together and get a little behind the scenes look at the space!

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11When I started Mississippi Stitches in 2015, I assumed this side-gig would remain a side-gig until I retired from my "corporate" job.  I enjoyed doing projects for a little extra money, and I had no desire to leave my nursing career.  When I reopened my shop and focused only on home decor in 2018, I realized how much more I enjoyed running this business.  As my business continued to grow in 2019, I couldn't shake the feeling that I wanted to see what more this shop can do...