If there is one thing that is most important to P.S. Custom Embroidery, it is community. That’s what led two Bowman residents to keep an embroidery business local.
By BRYCE MARTIN
Pioneer Editor | [email protected]
If there is one thing that is most important to P.S. Custom Embroidery, it is community. That’s what led two Bowman residents to keep an embroidery business local.
Pam Fisher and Sharon Holder, the namesake of P.S. Custom Embroidery, have a lengthy history of working together. They’ve known each other for the decades they’ve lived in Bowman and have mulled opening a business together for quite some time.
When Dale’s Clothing & Custom Embroidery closed its doors early this summer, it was an opportunity for the two to open a business, in part to ensure the well-used embroidery part of Dale’s would remain local.
They purchased an embroidery machine, found a perfect location in a friend’s heated garage and started on a business plan.
“It was a huge niche,” said Fisher, 57, who called the closing of Dale’s a huge loss to the community.
While there has been a bit of a learning curve for the two, Holder, 55, isn’t too far off from what she earned a college degree in: apparel merchandising.
Holder attended college in Nettleton, S.D., and obtained her degree, with plans to manage a retail outfitter. But “God laughed,” she explained, as her plans dramatically changed and ultimately led her to Bowman.
Fisher had spent years as an advertising representative and copywriter for KPOK Radio, creating lasting relationships with local businesses.
It was a perfect pairing. Fisher would use her business acumen and Holder would handle the apparel side of their new business, P.S. Custom Embroidery.
“We burn a lot of midnight oil,” Holder said.
“And weekend oil,” Fisher added with a laugh.
That’s because both have regular jobs during the day. Fisher is a counselor at Bowman County Schools and Holder is heavily involved with Bowman Lutheran Church.
But it was the love of community and wanting to deliver a quality product that drove them to work the long hours at their new business.
What separates P.S. from another embroidery service in the area is that the two complete the work locally.
The logos, for the most part, are designed onsite, and the work is completely done in their shop.
Their business’s major services include the ability for people to order all types of apparel, from well-known vendors, having those orders embroidered locally or bringing in previously purchased merchandise to add customized embroidery.
The business, which began at the end of August, is “just getting rolling,” as Holder put it, so they weren’t afraid to start out small. So far, however, they’ve taken on both small and large orders. They already have local customers and commercial accounts, in addition to out-of-town clients.
“We’re home based,” Fisher said. “It’s a place to start until we get bigger.”
The extra point of keeping the service local is the ease of contact for customers. As Fisher said, contact either of the two anytime, or even stop them on the street or at a local sports game.
“It’s all about the customer,” the two agreed.
They will put a catalog in the customer’s hands, provide suggestions and ensure their clients are getting what they want: a quality product at a fair price.
The typical turnaround for them to receive the apparel is about two days, and P.S. can complete the stitching in as little as five to 25 minutes.
As the business develops, the two said they envision growing, perhaps settling into a permanent retail space in the area.
Though it’s already been a busy time for the two, who have received ample support from not only the community but also from a South Dakota embroidery business that has guided them thus far.
“We’ve met wonderful people in this business already,” Fisher said. “And people have said it’s such a positive that it has stayed local.
“(We) appreciate that the local community has given us a chance.”
P.S. Embroidery also boasts the unique distinction of commissioning local artists and graphic designers to help create logos.
“We’re keeping everything local,” Holder asserted.
For P.S. Embroidery, being community minded is their key to success.
You can reach P.S. Custom Embroidery by calling Pam Fisher at (701) 206-0053, Sharon Holder at (701) 440-1674 or by emailing [email protected].
