Tailor-Made Sewing opened in 1995
Angie Jennings, center, and Isabel Martinez, right, make adjustments on a custom-made Christmas night gown and robe set for Jennings' daughter, Sara. Jennings opened Tailor-Made Sewing in 1995.
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Editor's note: Your Money, Your Business showcases small businesses. If you have a small business or know of an interesting one, please let us know. See the end of this feature for submission information.
Business name:
Tailor-Made Sewing
Address and phone number:
3604 N. Laurent St., 361-578-8285
Business owner:
Angie Jennings
Date opened:
January 1995
Number of employees:
One, Isabel Martinez, who has 30 years of experience
Services offered:
Alterations and sewing services
1: Why did you choose the industry?
I chose this industry because the only place for these services was basically the cleaners. There was a need for special alterations.
2: Describe your first day in business.
My first day in business, someone brought me a coat to replace a zipper. At that time it was a monumental task for me to perform. Today, this is a simple routine.
3: Describe a typical workday.
I typically rise early to start planning the day's duties and items that must be completed for delivery. There are also custom fittings for garments on customers which, at times, are a challenge. At the end of the day it is nice to look back and realize it was a productive day. I enjoy greeting clients during my daily activities, and thank them for their support. We take pride in our workmanship and will not be satisfied with an unsatisfactory product. We always demand a quality job from our employees.
4: Why open up shop in the Crossroads region?
This is a lost trade, but it's something that's necessary for people who like to have their clothes tailored to fit.
5: Is it difficult to find employees in our workforce? How do you find workers?
It is extremely difficult to find qualified employees in this trade. This is not an assembly line production where you do just one thing all day. You must be diverse and able to perform all tasks required to complete a unit of work. It takes training and patience to gain the necessary skills. The labor pool is extremely low. We advertise in the newspapers and ask our clients if they know anyone who would be interested in this type of work.
6: What advice would you give others starting a new business?
The best advice I can give is to carefully put a plan together on what you want to achieve and set goals that can be attained over time.
7: What is the biggest challenge your industry faces?
The biggest challenge in our industry is finding qualified people to perform the work. We have become a stylish and throwaway society, due to inexpensive labor overseas.
8: What is something most people don't realize about running a small business?
Something most people don't realize about running a small business is you have to control cost and overhead more closely. One person must act as the CEO, CFO and worker to perform all tasks of the business.
9: In your time running your business, what is your best story?
Someone once came in wanting to convert a wedding dress five sizes larger than the original dress.
10: Where do you see yourself and your business in five years?
We are growing the business continually and hope to do enough volume to employ 10 people.
- Allison Miles, Victoria Advocate
To be considered for the Your Money, Your Business feature, call 361-580-6511 or e-mail Business Reporter Allison Miles at amiles@vicad.com. The form is also available electronically.
