Hi Michelle! Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I grew up in Tenafly and always knew I wanted to raise my family here in Bergen County. I met my husband, Scott (he’s from Long Island) at Syracuse University. We moved to Haworth from West New York in 2018 and fell in love with its small-town vibe. I love how I can walk everywhere in town from the library, grabbing a latte at Humphrey’s, eating pizza at Alessandro’s, and sharing a cragel with my daughter at Guzzo’s.
Tell us a little bit about your kids!
I have two kids; my son is in 1st grade and my daughter is 20 months old. When trying for our second child, I ended up miscarrying and went through 1.5 years of secondary infertility. Fortunately, we had a successful IVF cycle and were able to have our daughter.
What is your favorite thing to do with them?
It’s a bit chaotic right now in my house between building a business and having two kids under 7! To keep myself sane, I love being silly and dancing around with them or what my son likes to call “crazy time.” He loves music and is really into putting on concerts while the rest of us are his audience. My daughter is princess obsessed and won’t leave the house without a tutu or dress on. He recently told me that his sister is his favorite person ever and it made my heart explode!
Are you involved in a business venture? Please share!
My business, Embroidery Babes allows customers to customize clothing and accessories such as personalized denim jackets, sweatshirts, hats and pouches with hand embroidery and hand sewn appliques and patches. I also carry specialty items such as personalized hand beaded accessories, knit sweaters and appliqued tutus. Currently, Embroidery Babes is a one-woman show operated out of my home, but it’s been growing fast, and I can’t wait to see what’s to come.
Why is this so important?
I have always been creative and have a background in retail and marketing but Embroidery Babes started in an unexpected way. While going through IVF, I taught myself to hand embroider to help ease my anxiety. Once I found out I was pregnant, I started embroidering baby clothes for my daughter. When she was born, people would see her wearing them and ask where they could buy them. I started sharing my work on Instagram and Facebook and orders started coming in and Embroidery Babes was born. A majority of my orders are custom hand embroidery projects so I use social media as a portfolio of my work. I love getting to know my customers and learning the stories behind each purchase. I embroidered “Let Yourself Live” on a sweatshirt for a customer going through a difficult divorce. I designed a jacket with a son for his mom as a thank you gift for her support during his transition surgeries. My most popular adult item is a sweatshirt for a mom with their kids, pets (and even husband’s) names or initials on them. I just made matching “Besties” sweatshirts for Mother’s Day (see first photo). People love having something one of a kind and meaningful and I love making that for them!
What sets you apart?
Whether you speak with me in person or through social media, I make sure that each detail is made for you. I can even take photos of different thread colors and layouts for customers to choose from and offer personalized gifting with wrapping and direct shipping. My favorite part of the business is getting photos and messages from my clients who love their purchases. I recently received a message from a customer that her son wore his custom hat all day at daycare and another mom asked if it was from Embroidery Babes because she had bought a similar one for her son too! The response has been amazing, and I am so thankful. One of my customers wrote a review on Facebook, “Michelle was so creative and thoughtful in helping me choose a color and design. I love the custom embroidery; it really is such a special piece. If you are looking for something unique and personalized, I highly recommend Embroidery Babes!”
If you could give one tip to fellow moms, what would it be?
You never know how something challenging and unexpected can lead you to something beautiful and fulfilling. Without the infertility struggles I went through with having my daughter, I wouldn’t have started this business that is so meaningful to me. Although I am not usually a public person, one of my goals is to share my infertility journey so other women do not feel alone whether it be from miscarriage and/or infertility. I’ve had people reach out to me on social media and thank me for my openness and share their experiences with me. If anyone wants to talk, know that they can always get in touch (my contact info is at the end of the story).
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I make super cute and colorful clothes and accessories but if you see me on a day-to-day basis, I’m pretty much wearing my husband’s sweats and a messy bun. I really need to make some new clothes for myself!
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Embroidery Babes wouldn’t be where it is now without the Bergen County support I’ve received. Through my amazing customers and local community, word of my work and service has been spreading faster than I could have ever imagined! Helping promote other small businesses and giving back to local organizations are two of my top business goals. I recently participated in an event at Five Dimes Brewery in Westwood and a Valentine’s Day collaboration with Crave Chocolate in Old Tappan. I have also helped raise money for the Closter, Haworth and Emerson HSAs (Home School Association), Women’s Auxiliary, and charities including Table to Table and the Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County. I love meeting amazing people right in my neighborhood that I wouldn’t have met without Embroidery Babes. It’s crazy that through the power of social media and customer referrals, I’ve started receiving orders from around the country. I am so grateful for the local support I’ve received right here in Bergen County and am excited to see where Embroidery Babes will take me next.
You can see examples of Michelle’s work and contact her for orders through Instagram and Facebook @embroidery.babes, her website EmbroideryBabes.com or by emailing embroiderybabes@gmail.com.