Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaitlyn Baeten.
Kaitlyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Two years ago, I started my sewing education business. I started slowly, working one class a week at a Montessori school in Frisco. The following semester I was able to get my program into a few private schools. I was offering birthday parties where I would bring the entire sewing set up to people’s homes. As enrollment grew in my classes, I hired a few teachers to help teach the classes. The first summer we offered 5 weeks of camps, a total of 12 half day camps. For months prior, I created the themes and projects for the camps and I was there personally working each of the camps that summer. The following year we got into more private schools and grew the birthday party business but in general the business didn’t grow or change much that year. The business was growing to the point where being “mobile” was difficult. We were lugging equipment everywhere; my house was being taken over by sewing machines and fabric. May 2017, we finished a renovation on a sewing studio in downtown Frisco! I named the place Thread & Bobbin Studio and it’s the new home of our camps, classes, and birthday parties. Offering customers a space to host sewing parties other than their home has been huge for that aspect of the business. A few weeks ago, we finished up our second full summer of camps, this summer offering 11 weeks of camps. I started planning these camps in December, I created and tested patterns, planned schedules, advertised, and organized everything so we would be a well-oiled machine this summer. Some weeks we had camps running in three locations. It was such a great summer and was made possible by the 10 teacher we had on staff this summer. Our business started with seven sewing machines and we now use 22 machines each week to teach our kiddos. It has been a great ride for the last two years, lots and lots of hard work, but one of my greatest accomplishments.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have certainly been challenges along the way. I was a staying home with my toddlers when I started the business. I would stay up late working after they went to sleep. Burning the candle at both ends wasn’t working eventually and it was my greatest challenge to work while being a mama to active toddlers. There have been growing pains along the way as the business has grown from being run 100% by me to having a staff.
Overall, everything has been overwhelmingly positive, but running your own business is certainly a 24/7 job with lots and lots of work
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Sew Fun Studios Frisco – what should we know?
My business offers sewing classes, camps, workshops, and parties to kids (and adults!)
Sewing can be overwhelming in the wrong setting- we make sewing approachable and fun. Our teaching techniques allow for our students to test their creativity and learn a new skill while they’re at all. Our birthday parties are very Pinterest worthy, we focus on FUN, beautiful fabrics, and the projects are a one-of-a-kind take home for each kid. Our camps all have themes, kids make one project each day that fits into the theme. This year a few favorites were Decorate Your Room, Sweet Treats, and Fashion Accessories.
Classes are held after school and focus on teaching kids technique and design. Our teaching techniques set us apart, we understand how to teach sewing to kids starting at age 6, we’ve refined the methods and I’m proud to say we’ve helped thousands of kiddos get some sewing experience under their belt!
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I’m a pretty enthusiastic person and that has helped me a lot in this business. I’m always thinking about new ideas and ways to make the business better. When we’ve had set backs I’ve been able to learn from them and focus on how to fix them. Being excited and passionate about what I do helps get other excited too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6991 Maple Street,
Frisco, TX 75033 - Website: Friscosews.com
- Phone: 972-807-0505
- Email: kbaeten@sewfunstudios.com
- Instagram: @sewfunfrisco
- Facebook: Facebook.com/sewfunfrisco
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