Today we’d like to introduce you to Felicia Puckett
Hi Felicia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins where all stories start, in childhood. My grandma Betty was the most creative person I have ever met. Everything could be turned into a craft and life should be enjoyed. She definitely shared that spirit with me, her only granddaughter. By age 7, she introduced me to sewing and I immediately found comfort in the hum of the machine. In fact, it was comfort in a sewing machine that helped me through the stress of college, then 9 years in my previous career. I often sewed or cut out projects during lunch, and launched an etsy shop way back before it was cool. It became clear that my passion was sewing. I felt trapped. So I quit. I went from being an Assistance Program Director for a transitional housing program for women, to working the cutting counter at Joann Fabrics. I then took every sewing job I could for the next several years, learning from each while trying to find my way, even though I was unsure where I was going. I just knew, sewing was my ticket to enjoying this life. I eventually found my way to a drapery factory in town and fell in love with the work and the company. When the owner sold to a large international company, I knew it was time to move on. But the love of window treatments stayed with me. I just knew, this is it! I was fortunate to be taken in as an apprentice by friends who operate an upholstery shop. They fine tuned my sewing skills, pattern making abilities, and taught me to use a staple gun. But more than that, they showed me how to turn this passion I had into a way to make a living, without working for an international company or anyone else. With their blessing and my husband’s support, I opened Drapery by Felicia in January of 2021. We remodeled our basement to house a drapery workroom and I have been creating beautiful window treatments in the East Tennessee area ever since!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It may be taboo to talk about, but the biggest struggle was that first jump. When you meet someone, one of the first things they usually ask is what do you do for a living. I was used to saying I worked for a well respected nonprofit. And then, I was working part time sewing jobs trying to make a living. I was embarrassed to even answer the question. As a continued on my path I learned that following your passion and working on your craft is nothing to be embarrassed about, in fact it is something to be proud of. I would still feel trapped in that office if I hadn’t taken that first step.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I believe everyone wants their home to be a reflection of their personality and life, and custom window treatments are what takes a room’s vibe to the next level. I specialize in working with clients to create something that functions as beautifully as it looks. My process starts with a consultation to view fabrics, hardware finishes, trims, and design options in the client’s home, providing a one-of-a-kind custom shopping experience. This allows lighting, furnishings, decor and paint colors to be considered unlike a traditional retail setup. It usually feels like a hangout looking at pretty things more than an appointment and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I am most proud when I can turn uneven or oddly spaced windows into a stunning focal point with drapery design. I perk up when a client says “I have no clue what to do here”, because that is where I excel. I often say that the space and the fabric tells me what it wants, I just listen.
How do you define success?
Success in my industry is reliant on exceeding expectations. The biggest compliment I can receive is a review, referral or repeat work. Professional success has been maintaining a full schedule without the need for advertising.
To me, personal success is having control over my time, never having to count down how many hours I have left in the workday, and being able to say “no” without being penalized. I think back often to all the family events, weddings, and funerals I missed and home emergencies complicated because it didn’t fit the criteria for allowed time off or because work required me to be there during certain hours. The ability to adjust my schedule has allowed me to be more productive in the workroom as well as be there for my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://draperybyfelicia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draperybyfelicia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DraperybyFelicia/
