https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/ In-depth written editions of the Quilting Business Success podcast. Each article is built from a full interview with a working quilting business owner, with every quote linked to the exact moment in the recording. en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2026 04:30:03 +0000 https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-56-starting-longarm-quilting-business-denise-fried/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-56-starting-longarm-quilting-business-denise-fried/ 2026-09-20 Denise Fried shares her journey of starting a longarm quilting business, balancing work, pricing, and building a loyal customer base. Denise Fried started her longarm quilting business in Mandan, North Dakota, after years of quilting for herself. She shares how she balanced a full-time job with her growing business, structured her rates, and built a loyal customer base. Denise’s story offers practical advice for quilters considering a similar path. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-30-starting-longarm-quilting-business-jami-goto/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-30-starting-longarm-quilting-business-jami-goto/ 2026-09-20 Veteran longarmer Jami Goto shares her journey, pricing, workflow, and customer lessons for starting a longarm quilting business. Jami Goto, owner of Keepsake Quilting by Jamie, has spent 14 years building a successful longarm quilting business. In this in-depth interview, she shares her path from the mortgage industry to quilting, how she set up her business, her approach to pricing and workflow, and what she wishes she knew when starting out. Her story offers practical insights for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-63-starting-longarm-quilting-business-lisa-totty/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-63-starting-longarm-quilting-business-lisa-totty/ 2026-09-20 Oklahoma quilter Lisa Totty shares her first-year journey, from research and studio build to pricing and workflow. Lisa Totty, based in rural Oklahoma, shares her journey of starting a longarm quilting business after two decades of quilting experience. She discusses her research, building a dedicated studio, setting rates, and balancing her new business with a full-time job. Lisa’s story offers practical advice and candid reflections for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-49-how-much-to-charge-longarm-karna-lackey/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-49-how-much-to-charge-longarm-karna-lackey/ 2026-09-20 Veteran longarmer Karna Lackey shares her real-world pricing, workflow, and customer practices for a thriving quilting business. Karna Lackey, owner of Sew Into Quilts in Hutchinson, Kansas, has built a high-volume longarm quilting business with transparent pricing and a rapid turnaround. In this interview, she details her pricing structure, how she manages workflow for nearly 900 quilts a year, and the customer service practices that keep her shop thriving. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-39-starting-longarm-quilting-business-busy-bee/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-39-starting-longarm-quilting-business-busy-bee/ 2026-09-20 Shanon Peters and Sue Burnett of Busy Bee Quilt Shop share how they started and scaled their longarm quilting business in Wellington, NZ. Shanon Peters and Sue Burnett, co-owners of Busy Bee Quilt Shop in Wellington, New Zealand, share their journey from starting with one longarm machine to running a high-volume, well-organized quilting business. Their story covers everything from finding customers and managing workflow to pricing strategies and handling challenges. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-59-starting-longarm-quilting-business-jerry-peterson/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-59-starting-longarm-quilting-business-jerry-peterson/ 2026-09-20 Jerry Peterson shares how he added longarm quilting to his established quilt shop, covering pricing, workflow, and lessons learned. Jerry Peterson, owner of Cotton and Chocolate Quilt Company, shares his experience adding longarm quilting to his established quilt shop after 21 years in business. He discusses how he structured pricing, trained staff, managed workflow, and what he wishes he’d known when starting a longarm quilting business. His story offers practical advice and a candid look at integrating new services into a thriving retail environment. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-55-starting-longarm-quilting-business-sandy-kuhl/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-55-starting-longarm-quilting-business-sandy-kuhl/ 2026-09-20 Sandy Kuhl shares her 15-year journey, from her first t-shirt quilt to a full-time, profitable longarm quilting business. In this episode, Sandy Kuhl details her evolution from making t-shirt quilts for family to running a successful longarm quilting business serving over 160 quilts a year. She covers equipment choices, pricing, workflow, and the importance of word-of-mouth and customer service. Sandy's story offers practical guidance for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-54-starting-longarm-quilting-business-don-sutcliffe/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-54-starting-longarm-quilting-business-don-sutcliffe/ 2026-09-20 Don Sutcliffe shares 20 years of practical advice on starting a longarm quilting business, from finding customers to pricing and workflow. Don Sutcliffe, a longarm quilter from Peculiar, Missouri, shares the story of launching and sustaining his quilting business over two decades. He discusses how he and his wife got started, how they found their first customers, set prices, and balanced quilting with other life commitments. Don’s experience offers practical, honest insights for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business today. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-46-starting-longarm-quilting-business-cynthia-wheeler/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-46-starting-longarm-quilting-business-cynthia-wheeler/ 2026-09-20 Learn how Cynthia Wheeler built her longarm quilting business, found customers, set prices, and balanced multiple careers. Cynthia Wheeler shares her journey from traditional hand quilting to running a successful longarm quilting business in Clayton, California. She discusses how she found her first customers, set her rates, and manages her workload while balancing multiple businesses. Cynthia’s story offers practical advice for quilters considering starting a longarm quilting business today. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-45-how-much-to-charge-longarm-charlene-smith/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-45-how-much-to-charge-longarm-charlene-smith/ 2026-09-20 Charlene Smith shares her journey, pricing strategy, and workflow for a thriving longarm quilting business. Charlene Smith, a longarm quilter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shares her experience building a successful quilting business over 13 years. She discusses how she set her rates, manages a high volume of quilts, and why she focuses almost exclusively on edge-to-edge work. Her practical advice and transparent stories offer valuable guidance for quilters considering their own business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-40-starting-longarm-quilting-business-jeri-soens/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-40-starting-longarm-quilting-business-jeri-soens/ 2026-09-20 Jeri Soens shares 45 years of practical advice on starting and running a longarm quilting business. Jeri Soens, a longarm quilter with 45 years of experience in rural Colorado, discusses her journey from discovering industrial longarms in 1976 to running a successful home-based quilting business. She shares practical advice on pricing, customer service, workflow, and the evolution of technology in quilting. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-38-starting-longarm-quilting-business-norma-stark/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-38-starting-longarm-quilting-business-norma-stark/ 2026-09-20 Norma Stark shares her story of starting—and restarting—a longarm quilting business, with candid advice on building a client base, pricing, and workflow. Norma Stark has built a thriving longarm quilting business not once, but twice—first in Texas, then again after relocating to Washington. In this interview, she shares her journey from hobbyist to professional, the challenges of starting over in a new place, and practical advice on finding customers, setting prices, and managing workflow. Norma’s story is packed with actionable insights for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-34-starting-longarm-quilting-business-alex-wilhelm/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-34-starting-longarm-quilting-business-alex-wilhelm/ 2026-09-20 Alex Wilhelm shares the real story of starting a longarm quilting business, from buying equipment to finding customers and overcoming setbacks. Alex Wilhelm, owner of Captivating Threads in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, shares her journey of starting a longarm quilting business. From discovering quilting just six years ago to building a client base across Wisconsin, Alex's story is full of practical lessons, marketing strategies, and the realities of balancing work, life, and entrepreneurship. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-31-starting-longarm-quilting-business-trudy-cleveland/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-31-starting-longarm-quilting-business-trudy-cleveland/ 2026-09-20 Trudy Cleveland shares her 13-year journey, practical marketing, pricing, and workflow tips for starting a longarm quilting business. Trudy Cleveland, a longarm quilter from Oceanside, California, shares her experience building a quilting business over 13 years. She discusses how she found her niche, developed marketing strategies through guilds and photography, balanced custom and edge-to-edge work, and set her pricing. Trudy’s story offers actionable advice for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-62-starting-longarm-quilting-business-christine-duvall/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-62-starting-longarm-quilting-business-christine-duvall/ 2026-09-20 Christine Duvall shares how she launched her longarm quilting business from scratch, found customers, and set her rates in her first year. Christine Duvall opened her longarm quilting shop in Elmira, NY, with no prior longarm experience, but over a decade of quilting and a background in business. In her first year, she grew her customer base organically, set competitive rates, and invested in equipment, all while balancing other businesses and learning custom work. Her story offers practical insights for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-52-starting-longarm-quilting-business-deborah-jenkins/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-52-starting-longarm-quilting-business-deborah-jenkins/ 2026-09-20 Deborah Jenkins shares how she started and grew a longarm quilting business in an isolated Canadian community, from pricing to finding customers. Deborah Jenkins, owner of Crazy Quilt Cottage in Powell River, BC, shares her journey of launching and sustaining a longarm quilting business in an isolated community. She discusses her approach to pricing, equipment upgrades, finding customers, and balancing work with life in a small town. Her story offers practical advice for quilters considering starting a longarm quilting business, especially in less populated areas. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-51-starting-longarm-quilting-business-donna-goldbeck/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-51-starting-longarm-quilting-business-donna-goldbeck/ 2026-09-20 Donna Goldbeck shares her story and practical advice for starting a longarm quilting business, from finding customers to setting prices. Donna Goldbeck, a longarm quilter in Glendale, Arizona, started her business after leaving her corporate job in 2010. She shares her journey from learning the ropes to building a steady stream of clients, with practical advice on marketing, pricing, and managing workflow. Donna’s story highlights the importance of community connections, clear communication with clients, and adapting processes for efficiency. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-48-starting-longarm-quilting-business-kristi-droese/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-48-starting-longarm-quilting-business-kristi-droese/ 2026-09-20 Veteran quilter Kristi Droese shares her journey, lessons, and practical advice for starting a longarm quilting business. Kristi Droese, owner of Windswept Quilters near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been running her longarm quilting business for over two decades. In this interview, she discusses how she got started, built her client base through word of mouth, balanced work and life, and adapted to new technology. Her story offers practical, grounded advice for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-47-how-much-to-charge-longarm-quilting-kate/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-47-how-much-to-charge-longarm-quilting-kate/ 2026-09-20 Kate Wellen shares how she set her longarm quilting rates, built a high-volume studio, and what she’d do differently. Kate Wellen, co-owner of Creative Longarm Partners, runs a high-volume, edge-to-edge quilting business with her husband Tom in central Massachusetts. In this interview, she details her approach to pricing, workflow, and customer service, explaining why she charges 2.8¢ per square inch and how she maintains a two-week turnaround on up to 900 quilts a year. Kate also reflects on lessons learned, from building a customer base to streamlining production. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-44-starting-longarm-quilting-business-andrew-snavely/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-44-starting-longarm-quilting-business-andrew-snavely/ 2026-09-20 Andrew Snavely shares how he launched and grew his longarm quilting business from scratch, including pricing, marketing, and workflow tips. Andrew Snavely started his longarm quilting business less than two years ago, with no prior quilting experience. In this interview, he details how he and his husband grew from their first customer to quilting 300 quilts a year, relying on practical marketing, clear pricing, and strong community ties. His story offers actionable advice for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-43-starting-longarm-quilting-business-danielle-butler/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-43-starting-longarm-quilting-business-danielle-butler/ 2026-09-20 Danielle Butler shares her journey from novice to thriving longarm quilting business owner, with practical advice for getting started. Danielle Butler, owner of Ritzy Quilting Company in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, shares how she started her longarm quilting business after a career pivot in 2020. She discusses the challenges of taking on her first customer quilt, how word-of-mouth and Facebook fueled her growth, and why she believes in building for the next generation. Danielle offers practical advice on workflow, equipment, and the importance of faith and community. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-33-starting-longarm-quilting-business-cathy-kleinschmidt/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-33-starting-longarm-quilting-business-cathy-kleinschmidt/ 2026-09-20 Learn how Cathy Kleinschmidt started her longarm quilting business, found customers, set prices, and paid off her machine in just two years. Cathy Kleinschmidt shares her journey from reluctant quilting class attendee to running a successful longarm quilting business for over 23 years. She explains how she paid off her machine in two years, found customers through community connections and word of mouth, and balanced work with family life. Cathy’s story is full of practical advice for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-50-starting-longarm-quilting-business-ava-boothe/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-50-starting-longarm-quilting-business-ava-boothe/ 2026-09-20 Ava Boothe shares how she started and grew her longarm quilting business at age 21 in rural Louisiana. At just 23, Ava Boothe has built a thriving longarm quilting business in rural Mangum, Louisiana. She shares her path from learning to quilt with her grandmother, to acquiring her own Gammill Statler, to running a busy quilt shop. Ava discusses her workflow, customer growth strategies, and the realities of balancing passion, business, and family. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-42-starting-longarm-quilting-business-vivs-russ/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-42-starting-longarm-quilting-business-vivs-russ/ 2026-09-20 Veteran quilters Vivs Laliberte and Russ Lee share hard-won advice on starting and sustaining a longarm quilting business. Vivs Laliberte and Russ Lee, owners of Bear's Quilt Shop in Southern California, have spent over two decades building a thriving longarm quilting business. In this interview, they discuss their journey from hand quilting to running three longarm machines, share strategies for finding customers, and reflect on the challenges and rewards of the trade. Their story offers practical guidance for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-41-how-much-charge-longarm-quilting-claire-marks/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-41-how-much-charge-longarm-quilting-claire-marks/ 2026-09-20 Quilter Claire Marks shares her exact pricing, how she finds clients, and lessons learned from moving her business. Claire Marks, a longarm quilter based in Exeter, California, reveals her exact pricing for edge-to-edge and custom quilting, and explains how she built a loyal customer base in two different states. She discusses the realities of moving a quilting business, the importance of guilds and show quilts for marketing, and the lessons she learned about equipment and workflow. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-37-starting-longarm-quilting-business-robin-jordan/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-37-starting-longarm-quilting-business-robin-jordan/ 2026-09-20 Robin Jordan shares how she started her longarm quilting business, grew her customer base, and built a thriving studio in rural Ohio. Robin Jordan, owner of Thread White and Blue in rural Ohio, started her longarm quilting business with no customers and a single machine. Over twelve years, she grew her studio to three longarms, built a loyal customer base, and developed a reputation for personal service and quality work. In this interview, Robin shares the practical steps, challenges, and lessons learned from her journey. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-35-starting-longarm-quilting-business-holly-potvin/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-35-starting-longarm-quilting-business-holly-potvin/ 2026-09-20 Veteran quilter Holly Potvin shares her journey, pricing, workflow, and advice for starting a longarm quilting business. Holly Potvin, with over four decades of quilting experience, shares her story of starting and running a successful longarm quilting business in Connecticut. She covers her transition from hobbyist to professional, her approach to pricing and workflow, and the importance of turnaround time and customer relationships. Holly’s candid insights offer practical advice for anyone considering starting a longarm quilting business. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-61-how-much-to-charge-longarm-quilting-linda/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-61-how-much-to-charge-longarm-quilting-linda/ 2026-09-20 Linda Thielfoldt shares her real-world method for setting longarm quilting prices, handling custom jobs, and building a sustainable business. Linda Thielfoldt, with over 24 years in the quilting business and 50 years quilting, reveals her direct approach to pricing, communicating with customers, and balancing custom and edge-to-edge work. She shares how she sets her hourly rate, manages costs, and finds fulfillment beyond the numbers. Her advice is grounded, practical, and shaped by decades of experience. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-60-how-much-to-charge-longarm-quilting-page/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-60-how-much-to-charge-longarm-quilting-page/ 2026-09-20 Veteran quilter Page Johnson shares her real-world pricing, workflow, and customer advice from 25 years in business. Page Johnson, owner of The Quilting Page in Minnesota, has been quilting for over five decades and running her longarm business for 25 years. In this interview, she shares her exact pricing model, how her business scaled from a home basement to a bustling storefront with five machines and 12 employees, and the systems that keep her workflow efficient. Page’s candid stories and specific advice offer a roadmap for quilters considering professional longarm work. https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-58-starting-longarm-quilting-business-brenda-farris/ https://quiltingbusinesssuccess.com/episodes/episode-58-starting-longarm-quilting-business-brenda-farris/ 2026-09-20 Brenda Farris shares how she took over and grew a longarm quilting business, building loyal customers and doubling her output. Brenda Farris took over her father-in-law's longarm quilting business in Yuma, Arizona, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. With no local connections, she built relationships, modernized marketing, and doubled the business's annual output. Brenda shares her approach to customer service, workflow, and community-building, offering practical advice for anyone starting a longarm quilting business.