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business spotlight Business Women and Mom's Part III | Business Women and Mom's Part III |
| Written by Wendy W. Jackson | |||||||||
| Friday, 29 February 2008 | |||||||||
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The Stovall Collection & Stationers specializes in fine invitations and stationery, including Crane's, and gifts for all occasions. The Franklin Square shop has been open for two and a half years, and Kathy is already enjoying repeat customers. Such customers, she says, are the best part of her work. "Even in such a short time, I have customers who came in for birth announcements and are now coming to see us as they celebrate their children's birthdays," says Kathy. Those long-term relationships make her job rewarding. Kathy's own children are an integral part of the Stovall Collection. Her 13-year-old son, Austin, spends enough time at the shop to have his own basketball goal in the back. And 19-year-old Ashleigh helps out during school breaks.
Being an authority on etiquette isn't always easy. Kathy says the hardest part of her job is helping her clients stay within the parameters of correctness without stepping on their toes. "It's a fine line to walk," she says. But, it's one of the things that keeps customers coming back. And that's what Kathy wants. Kathy Walker, owner of The Stovall Collection & Stationers located at 9700 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. Phone 865.357.9704
Six years later, Jill became the owner and is putting her stamp on the business. Her customers love the changes so far. One of the changes she's made is the addition of custom furniture. In the future, she's hoping to carry quilting goods and more home decor items. Raised by a mother who was in fashion design, Jill says, "Fabric has been in my blood all my life." She knows what she enjoys, but also what she doesn't, adding, "I don't care for the management and administrative side of the business." Jill hired Christi Selvage as her business manager so she could spend her time with her customers. Jill and her husband Robby have five children ages seven to 27 with two still at home and, if that didn't make her a busy businesswoman, she happily adds that she is also the grandmother of two with another on the way. She explains her secret to success: "I think that in order to make it, you have to provide superior customer care and a product anyone can afford." Jill, along with her staff, can help coordinate fabrics, if you need assistance. At the Fabric Factory Outlet, she's still doing design work - she just doesn't have to leave the store to do it. Jill Johnson, owner of Fabric Factory Outlet located at I-75 at Exit 62 in Sweetwater. Phone 423.337.5831
Wendy came into this business with a degree in fashion merchandising and interior design plus years in both the family business and her own business in Lenoir City. Amy had devoted her time to being a full-time mother but brought her enthusiasm for clothes and accessories. Both work within the challenges of motherhood. Wendy has two girls ages four and seven and Amy has two girls ages eight and 16. Wendy admits, "My heart's really at home. If I didn't have a partner, there is no way I could I do this." She adds, "You have to have a good partner, someone who will give and take. It's like a marriage." The two women are also fortunate to have friends Joyce and Tammy who work for them and are a vital part of the business. They sometimes take them to market in Atlanta so they can make sure they understand the tastes of different age groups - between Amy, Wendy, Tammy and Joyce they represent the 30s through the 60s. Owning a business has been more challenging than either woman imagined. Amy says, "I thought you were going to come in here and it was going to be easy. It's a lot more work than I ever thought. But," she adds, "it is fun." Both women agree, the best part of owning La Posh is meeting all of the people that come into their store. And, of course, spending their days with beautiful fashions. Wendy Stooksbury and Amy Purdy, owners of LaPosh located in the Pinnacle Shopping Center in Turkey Creek. Phone 865.671.3349
Cathy has a degree in Business Management and spent years working in fields as diverse as banking, science and engineering at Oak Ridge and telecommunications sales. She reached a point where she wanted to make a major change. When she talked it over with a friend who was in retail, it became obvious to Cathy that a retail home décor business would suit her well. What she had always loved as a hobby became her new career and A Fabulous Find was born. Cathy says, "Running my own business turned out to be very satisfying and a good fit for me." A Fabulous Find began with a store in Farragut which she expanded with a shop in Bearden's Southern Market. She closed her Farragut store last fall to focus completely on her shop in Southern Market and she's happy to say that she added a second shop there this year. The original shop focuses on home décor with a European or Tuscany flair and the second is French country, Cathy says, "feminine and girlie" with both home décor and gifts. She says, "I have met many wonderful people through my business. Everywhere I go, I see people I know." She adds, "It's been challenging but very gratifying." Cathy Duncan, owner of A Fabulous Find located in the Southern Market at 5400 Hombery Drive in Knoxville. Phone 865.696.8323
Her husband worked in their business for a while but then went back to the corporate world. He's still part of it, though, when it comes to accounting, something Marianne doesn't enjoy. They have two daughters. Their oldest worked at Handyman Connection through high school and college and, Marianne says, "Learned a lot about marketing and business, things that have helped her in her career today." Their 16 year old will start working here this summer. Marianne likes the fact that she's been able to include her kids in the family business so that they can learn good work habits. She truly enjoys what she does, saying, "The fun part is talking to the customers on the phone and helping them with the different things they want done on their home." If you're wondering what to call something you need repaired, don't. She explains that most people call in saying "I want that ‘thingamajig' fixed." Marianne says, "I've learned a lot - a lot about people, business and marketing, a lot about employees." She sees her role in the community as teaching people what to do and not do with contractors such as not paying them until work is complete and buying their own materials, two Handyman Connection franchise rules. She says, "I run a good, clean, honest business. Period." Marianne Heinzen, owner of Handyman Connection, pictured with daughter, Mallory. Handyman Connection is located at 11316 Station West in Knoxville. Phone 865.777.1500           
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Kathy Walker, a former psychologist, knew she would enjoy running her own retail shop. She also had fond memories of shopping at the Stovall Collection's predecessor in Memphis, Papél. She called the company, which had already considered opening a franchise in Knoxville, and it all came together.
Jill Johnson of Sweetwater's Fabric Factory Outlet came into this business because of her love for fabric and design. Years ago, she was managing a medical office and doing interior design on the side when a friend called and offered her a position managing her new fabric business.
Wendy Stooksbury and Amy Purdy were lifelong friends when they decided to go into business together. One day, these two Lenoir City women were both in the same Knoxville business on a Saturday. They started to talk about being partners in business and it wasn't too long before they opened La Posh, a women's clothing store in The Pinnacle in Turkey Creek.
Cathy Duncan opened the home décor shop A Fabulous Find almost five years ago. She says, "I have always loved to decorate and appreciate nice furnishings for the home. I never thought of it as a career."
Marianne Heinzen and her husband Gary moved here 13 years ago to open Knoxville's Handyman Connection. She had worked for years as the administrative assistant to the president of a large corporation and thought, "If I can help him keep order, why can't I help myself keep order?" She adds, "I was always assisting somebody else and now I'm assisting myself."
