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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 05-04-2005, 09:16 AM (1 of 8)
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Just a very brief rundown of how Nancy Z got started. In 1979, she began free lancing, giving seminars for fabric stores and educational groups. At each seminar she passed out one sheet of paper created at her kitchen table. It featured a handful of sewing books and notions. The sheet was titled Nancy's Notions. About a year and a half later, she acquired two employees - her in laws. They worked out of her basement to produce a twelve page catalog. Shortly after that she began her own cable TV show. The show gave Nancy's Notions, the program's only sponsor, great exposure. Her father in law renovated their thousand square foot chicken coop in 1983 into their first warehouse complete with carpet and air conditioning. Her husband then joined her full time that year. The next move came in 1985 to a remodeled 6,000 square foot distribution center. Two years later their growth took them to the current 49,000 square foot building. Now they process anywhere from 500 to 2,000 mail orders daily from a 164 page catalog. Quite a story. Twenty six years later and still going strong. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: Hogmami
Date: 05-04-2005, 09:21 AM (2 of 8)
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Just goes to show if you have the will, you can do it.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: BRG
Date: 05-04-2005, 09:37 AM (3 of 8)
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Wow thanks for the history lesson ... it's always nice to hear success stories but at the same time, how a person got started! Congrats to Nancy to her success! - Brenda -
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User: BRG
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 388 
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From: MaryW
Date: 05-04-2005, 11:54 AM (4 of 8)
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Her first handouts showed 7 products. Now she has over 4,000
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: wghmch
Date: 05-06-2005, 12:40 AM (5 of 8)
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On another board, a former Pfaff dealer was asked about what she knew about why Nancy sold out to Tacony and started selling Babylocks, after Viking took over Pfaff. This was her answer, and I'm pasting it here with her permission. - Bill Holman .............................................. I met the Tacony guys at the first Nancy's Notions weekend after they purchased her business. They were very approachable and at the dinner were most gracious, trying talk to everyone. Although Nancy's business has changed it is still reliable and up to date. I order wholesale from them often and have always been satisfied with the service and products. I especially like the way that they treated Nancy, like she was a lady. The previous year when Viking did the weekend it was quite noticeable that there was no respect for Nancy, her workers or us gals who went there as Pfaff volunteers. It was a miserable week to say the least. The Tacony weekend was much better and certainly less stressful. |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-10-2005, 05:25 AM (6 of 8)
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Such a shame. If my understanding is correct, Pfaff treated their dealers like crap.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: wghmch
Date: 05-10-2005, 07:32 AM (7 of 8)
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"Pfaff treated their dealers like crap." More accurately Mary, Viking treated their Pfaff dealers like crap after they took over the distribution. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: MaryW
Date: 05-10-2005, 09:05 AM (8 of 8)
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How dare they? Those dealers are their lifeline. They are the ones down in the trenches taking the crap and handling the problems.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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