For fact accuracy, it's Eleanor Burns of Quilt-in-a-Day who started the quilt revolution when she recognized that adopting production line assembly techniques would speed up the quilt piecing process. Her place in quilt history should not be forgotten.
I'm one of those crazy quilters who loves to watch his mom & seriously, I love the value that they bring to the quilting world. Jenny just has one of those personalities that you can't help but fall in love with. I haven't gotten to go to the store yet, but plan to this summer. They get bus loads of quilters who journey to their store & quilters have a hard time saying no to pretty fabric! In planning our visit to Hamilton, I am amazed at what this company has done for this small town! They have purchased several store fronts downtown & opened themed stores - one is full of just holiday fabrics, one has all floral fabrics & so on. Also, there are other local businesses that have been either taking off or just getting started to help handle the influx of visitors to their town. It is really amazing to see what they've built. But I do believe that a lot of their success comes from their caring attitude towards their customers. This would be a great company to study!
It's nice to hear about the history of MSQC. It's great to hear about the "business" side of this company but just an opinion here... Al's mom is the reason this company has the following it does. The daily deals and the magazine... all these things are great but without Jenny, there would not be the customer base there is. Jenny is a gifted lady that draws you in with her authentic personality, her "it doesn't have to be perfect" ease and her contagious joy as she helps her customers and viewers to feel confident in stepping out and trying things that she simplifies for us. With Al's talented mom, he has, with his business acumen, taken the opportunity and run with it. This has to be a team effort where each contributes in such a tremendous way. I'm not sure what sis does, but I bet she is as talented as the rest of the family!
Love these guys. I can tell from his story that they are homeschoolers. They have done their research different than public schooled, they have great imaginations, not afraid to try different things, different ways, independant thinkers, etc. good work. You make homeschoolers proud.
Visited Hamilton this summer! Loved it! I love your mom's faith based messages and you definitely sold me and my friends on the low cost of your magazine!
I just learned about the family's history here, how wonderful for you all, smart guy who took chance after chance and collaborating with your family, you have now an amazing business. Love the story of how it all came together, maybe someday I can visit coming from CNY, where it seems quilt shops are far and few between. TY for sharing.
Al great insight in starting and enjoying a business. My parents had their business for 45 years. The most thing I learned from them was you do not have to do it all. Hire someone to do the jobs they can do;. You do the jobs that your are fantastic at; because it is much more important for your for the growth for your company that is loved millions.
While this is two years old, I find the whole MSQC story amazing. Thanks for this behind the scenes peek a the real struggles and ups and downs. Yes, and I am one of those women who looks forward to my e-mail from you daily. On Friday, when new tutorials are posted, I grab a cup of coffee, a quilt and my laptop and sit back and enjoy. I recently made a trip to Hamilton and was v. impressed with the level of friendliness---it is very evident that time has gone into the training of your employees. While they have the innate Midwest friendliness, there is an extra layer there making the customer feel valued.
My mind is officially blown. God bless us everyone with my personal shout out to the Doan family. God willing , I will find a way to do something parallel to what you have done in my community. My dream would be to just achieve a fraction of your success. It just seems that you have focused on being effective . Everyone claims to do that oftentimes with alot of pompous word salad. I love your humility , integrity, and critical thinking skills. BRAVO.🙂🙂🙃❤
Wow, I have to say, what Al says about those employers "owning your soul" is absolutely, 100% true. I mean it. I happen to be a Quilting enthusiast whose favourite online store is Missouri Star Quilting Company, but I also happen to have worked in "Corporate America" (in Canada) for IBM for 14.5 years and then at CIBC for 9 years (one of Canada's Top 5 banks), so I know that of which I speak. GREAT speech, Al, and I am so hoping to go "glamping" in Hamilton Missouri this upcoming summer, so I can meet your rock star of a mother, Jennie Doan. Now I hope I will also meet you as well.
These quilting tutorials have been a great therapy for me I had a blood clod in my head after a fall and sometime I could not think but I could walk some then Go back then it worked out I could see how it was done thanks for doing more than you think
Non-death loss happens to us all... not being invited, in 2nd grade to you 1st grader's best friend's birthday party & you are told, by your parents (Mom), " oh, it's ok, there will be more parties." You stuff that unresolved grief... & deal with more "losses" the same way... eating more, paying attention to others (I'm ok as long as others are ok); caring for self LAST, maybe not even knowing how to self-care... giving/ doing for others...quilting & giving these away to make others happy... still not self-care, is even important. Then, quilting for self, try making classes. Ahh... self-care IS important! Still overweight, but... beginning to be cared for by OTHERS. Now, beginning to LIVE! still quilting, but now sharing with others about self & self-care blooms! Thank you Jenny, & your family, for helping us bloom!
I was thinking what Lynn Benton said in the comments down below - what happens when Mom finally retires. She is the face of the company and really the reason many quilters buy from MSQC. It will be interesting to see.
I am facinated with the entire story of MSQC and Jenny is WONDERFUL!!! I do, however wish to know where you got the GRESHAM hoodie. I really need one of those since my last name is GRESHAM!!! Fantastic story!
I appreciate all he had to say, but there is always more to the story. The family goes bankrupt and secured a loan for a building and a sewing machine, I assume from a bank, at a time of horrible economic downturn. Then, and again, I am assuming, that they sold so many patches, that they could afford to spend $185,000 to start a magazine. Were there banks or investors to make this all happen? No one tells that side of the story.
