We recently connected with Elizabeth Gerdes and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I am the fourth oldest of twelve children. My parents did everything they could just to put food on the table and clothes on our backs. My father worked long hours at the local nuclear power plant, and was always picking up extra hours to help with the family income. For many years, my mother picked up weekend shifts as a night nurse in an extended living facility, even with her growing belly. It seemed like she was pregnant for my entire childhood, but she never let that stop her. With a newborn and several toddlers in tow, she was our taxi to all of our sporting events, school events, and more. With all of that, she still had dinner on the table every night too. I seriously don’t know when they slept. It was during my childhood that I learned about work, ethics, and how important it was for everyone in the household to contribute in some way. Even if the young ones couldn’t reach the sink, they were expected to help clear the table. The older ones would make sure the dishes were cleaned and the vacuum ran. After bath time for the little ones, it was time to help get them to bed. Then there would be homework and bedtime for the older ones. There was never a question of whether you were going to help with the chores, it was simply just a part of our lives. I find myself doing similar things now. If a job calls for working around the clock in order to meet a deadline, I will do that. If a project gets particularly tough, I don’t give up. I push through, find ways, and lean on others. Things don’t come easy in business and I’ve learned to adapt and move forward no matter what road blocks get thrown in my way.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
You know how most people move into a home and are so focused on decorating and putting things in the proper place that they forget about their windows until they need privacy from those crazy neighbors? We bring in a sense of calm to residential and commercial environments by providing custom window treatments. Stitch Above The Rest provides everything from draperies, to shades, shutters, blinds, and more. When you want to finish your space so that you have privacy, light blocking or just want to feel proud to show it off, we are the ones that get the call. Custom window treatments provide more than just a privacy layer. They provide that extra layer of design for the room, while also giving you a piece of mind and extra layer of confidence that what you do in the privacy of your own home, will remain private. This year, we have opened up a new location in Woodstock, Ga and are so excited to show off our combination showroom and workroom. A concept that is not seen in this area. We want you to pick out your finishes and have a first hand look at how the treatments are made. You can see exactly what’s behind the scenes when it comes to the making of your custom window treatments.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think one of the most important things any entrepreneur can do, is to always be learning. No one says, “I’ve made it, I can stop learning now.” No matter the level you’re at, there is always something new to learn. In addition, I think early entrepreneurs need to be prepared to do the hard stuff. Don’t ask others to do what you’re not willing to do. Roll up your sleeves, get dirty, work hard and commit to your ideas. Confidence is half the battle, working hard is the other half. Lastly, be open to new opportunities. Say yes more to things that scare you. That is the only way to push yourself to the next level.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Opening up a new location in 2023 has pushed my business into a new direction and has allowed me to open up more opportunities for my referral partners and potential collaborators in the design field. In 2024, we will be working towards a more specialized design program that allows designers a safe space to come, bring their client, and collaborate with our window treatment specialists. This is a space where we allow the designers to take the lead, but yet are there during the initial stages to provide expert advice and feedback on the designs. In addition, they will be able to go through fabrics, trims, hardware, and hard window treatment samples during this phase, right inside our showroom. In addition, they can stop in and see their designs being made during the fabrication process and take a few selfies to show the progress of a project. Seeing the creation of their design come to life, from start to finish, will make it even that much more exciting on the day of install.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stitchabovetherest.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stitchabovetherest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StitchAboveTheRest/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/uas/login?session_redirect=%2Fcompany%2F574097%3Ftrk%3Dtyah
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/stitchabovether
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfT9DOXjAbPUq8VMfM2hEIg
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stitch-above-the-rest-woodstock-2
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/window-treatments/stitch-above-the-rest-llc-pfvwus-pf~92522033?
https://www.pinterest.com/stitchabovether/
Image Credits
Woodie Williams Photography J King Images Photography
