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JENNIFER CHURCH

Jennifer Church lets customers personalize tote bags offering thousands of choices

Date published: 8/6/2008

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESS: We design and make individualized, hand-crafted tote bags. We convey a unique shopping opportunity to customers by giving them a way to express their creativity. The majority of our business is conducted through "Tote Gatherings" where we bring the store to the customer's home or office. Another key sales venue is through the Web site, where customers can design online. Customers can choose from more than 1,000 fabric samples, trims, handles and accessories to design their own unique tote. We also sell in boutiques, online, wholesale, as fundraisers and occasionally at craft expos.

EDUCATION: High school graduate and some college

FAMILY: Husband, Mac; son, Martel; and dog, Maui

CAREER HISTORY: Eight years as a seamstress in a textile plant; 15 years in medical management. Been sewing for 35 years.

FIRST JOB: At age 16, I worked at William Pretty's & Sons textile plant in Ipswich, England.

WORST JOB: At a fish-and-chip shop in England. Too many burns from the deep fryer.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? In one of England's oldest towns, Ipswich, Suffolk, England.

HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS? About 4 years ago, I decided to make a tote bag from a pattern. As the popularity of fabric totes became evident, I decided to start selling them at craft shows. It wasn't long before I had to find a way for ladies to customize their own totes, as many would make special requests. Tote Gatherings became a forum for sales out of necessity.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? Pleasing customers. I love delivery day to the hostess, when all the totes from her gathering are complete. I love to see the look of delight on customers' faces.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Seeing women around town with one of my totes on their arm. It reminds me that this is a legitimate business and that my and my staff's work is appreciated.

To nominate a business owner for The Deal, e-mail: DealMaker@freelancestar.com Provide a description of the business, how long it's operated, its location, contact information, Web site and why the owner should be featured. The Free Lance-Star's coverage of area businesses in The Deal does not mean that the newspaper is endorsing any particular business.

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Date published: 8/6/2008