Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Fletcher.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I did not set out to start an upholstery business. Far from it. I have a B.A, in Communications from Millikin University and my plan was to become an Advertising executive. But, after moving to Knoxville, TN during the recession most businesses were pulling the reins on advertising and letting their marketing and advertising departments go. So, I had to pivot and find something else to do.
Fortunately, the Clarence Brown Theatre at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville was looking for a Props Assistant and I fit the bill. It was at the CBT where I learned how to stretch fabric over a chair seat and then learn how to match patterns and button tuft. Little did I know that this experience would shape my future and Knox Upholstery would eventually be born.
After working on my own for five years I was invited to join an upholstery group called the Professional Upholsterer’s Network where other professionals could network and ask questions. I later become an Administrator of this 3,000+ group. From there a think-tank was formed and the National Upholstery Association was born, of which I am now the President.
I also teach at the Custom Workroom Conference and have had a few speaking engagements.
Alright, 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?
The road has not been smooth. Starting a business, from scratch, is scary. For the first couple of years, I struggled to find my footing. I would say YES to every project that landed in my lap and it took quite some time for me to really find my niche and learn how to say NO to projects that did not fit my scope.
I think the biggest struggle was finding like-minded businesses that wanted to be collaborative instead of competitive. And in this business that’s a real struggle as the Upholstery trade can be rather traditional and insular and that’s something we are striving to change through the Professional Upholsterer’s Network and the creation of the National Upholstery Association.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I dress up furniture for a living! Knox Upholstery is a furniture upholstery workroom and I prefer to focus on residential work. There is something so satisfying about working with someone who is emotionally attached to their chair or sofa and I can help bring their idea to fruition and give that piece a second, third, and sometimes a fourth lease on life. Great-Grandma’s chair is an important part of our families and we attach feelings to them and it’s important to take special care of those pieces and turn them back around in a way that would make my great-grandma proud.
At Knox Upholstery, I am known for my precision pattern matching and for giving each piece of my personal attention. I’m incredibly stubborn about my projects and I want them to be perfect when leaving the premises. I think I am most proud of my ability to solve problems as they arise during the upholstery process. If something isn’t fitting right I love being able to get creative and make it fit right.
I also still do a little happy dance when I make a pattern from scratch and it comes out perfect the very first time. What sets me apart from the competition is the attention to detail I give to each piece that walks through the doors. I’m putting my hands all over it and making the creative decisions. I also love working with my clients and getting their opinions on a design. After all, the pieces they bring me eventually need to go back home.
I want my clients to be happy with their projects and I don’t always want to make carte-blanche decisions without their input. As my slogan says, It’s Your Furniture, But Better!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I really try to remove my ego and be open to new ideas. I don’t want to be that upholsterer that’s a know-it-all. No one knows it all and it is so important to continue to learn and evolve, not only as an upholsterer but as a person. And when you take your ego out of your work it allows you to see things differently and, perhaps, solve a problem with an outside-the-box solution.
Sure, do I think my stuff is great? Absolutely. Is there space to learn and grow? 1000%.
In 15 years, I still want to learn something new from this craft.
Contact Info:
- Email: rachel@knoxupholstery.com
- Website: www.knoxupholstery.com
- Instagram: @knoxupholstery
- Facebook: @knoxvilleupholstery
- Other: www.nationalupholsteryassociation.org
