Melitastitches4fun's Blog

Hi folks, I would really appreciate everyone’s help for my sister and her husband’s embroidery business. I will let them explain:

Dear Melita,

Thank you for telling me about this contest and I would like to ask for your offered help in obtaining 250 votes so our embroidery business may be considered in this JPMorgan Chase Bank small business competition.

National Federation of Independent Business

National Minority Supplier Development Council

National Veteran Owned Business Association

U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Women’s Business Enterprise National Council

National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

National Urban League

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation

Winning the grant would allow us to embrace the ages-old concept of “PAY-IT-FORWARD” where, in our current early retirement stage of life, the embroidery / embellishment business would obtain a lockable towable trailer.  Taking the equipment to pre-arranged schools for demonstrations would allow us to help teachers inspire young minds by seeing the business in person.  (It is our thought that many school budgets have been cut often and severely for field trips – among other things – so the field trip will go to the school !  Our Hartford business insurance already covers the equipment and liability of such trips.)

First there would be the obvious artistic aspect showing how art / photographs are made into embroidery or placed onto fabric to be used in examples like quilts or tee shirts.  Immediate and tangible, (prearranged with each school) the students would see their own artwork or photography put on a mug or fabric tote bag for them to take home.

The intangible side would be seeing the process.  Seeing an embroidery machine create art on fabric at up to 1500 stitches per minute is very interesting to watch…and how art becomes embroidery involves programming right on our laptop.  It is very similar to CAD programming which is introduced in many high school programs.  Also there is chemistry involved in photochromic technology…Threads or inks that glow in the dark or change color are very engaging!

Running any of the three machines is a factory/production concept.  Plus there are disciplines such as drafting, engineering, machining and maintenance involved in the equipment itself.  Concepts touching upon small and large businesses, entrepreneurial ventures, local / global economies and accounting could be of interest to teachers in such areas.

Our application for the grant also earmarked some funds for completion of our website, some extra thread and inventory items and an apprentice for our local production.  Several part-time sales reps would be added on a commission basis as well.

Just so you know, the legal agreement Photique – and all entrants – had to make with Chase is VERY specific that, if awarded, the funds MUST be utilized as outlined.  No vacations at the beach!!!

Again, 250 votes are needed to be entered in the competition and we at Photique would appreciate your votes VERY MUCH !  Many thanks to any who are willing to vote for us to become an eligible contestant.

To Vote:

1 — Go to https://www.missionmainstreetgrants.com

2 — Click on “Vote”

3 — Enter the zip code “13126” for Photique, our business name.

4 — Connect with Facebook.  (It is the only way to vote.)

5 — Click on “Vote Now.”

DEADLINE  for  VOTES:  Friday NOVEMBER 15th.

Thanks again for finding this, Melita!

Love,

Anita and Steve