Conversations with Ellen Baker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellen Baker.

Hi Ellen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Raleigh Fabric and Design started as a way to continue the legacy of Premier Fabrics that was located in the same space for over six years. In September 2019, our parent company, Premier Prints, decided that they did not want to have a retail store located so far from their home in Mississippi. As they closed, the employees of Premier Fabrics created our own company, Raleigh Fabric and Design, LLC. We simply picked up where Premier left off. We have the same great services (custom sewing, upholstery, and monogramming), and we have expanded our fabric selection to include not only Premier Fabrics but also P Kaufmann, Hamilton, Europatex, Schumacher, Brunschwig & Fils, and Thibaut. We also carry beautiful trims and tapes and a wide assortment of alternative down pillow inserts.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth road? NO!!! We have had our share of bumps!!! I have chronicled our speedbumps, potholes, and SINK HOLES on our Instagram page so followers have seen our hardships! The major hurdle, obviously, was COVID and the mandatory shutdowns and uncertainty that we all faced. Add to that the downtown riots that came dangerously close to our location and a car that drove through our storefront just three weeks after opening and we have seen A LOT! We are thankful, though, that our loyal customers have stuck with us and continue to tell their friends about our great services and product lines!

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We strive to serve each customer- be they DIY craft sewers to designers with million-dollar properties- with the same level of respect and attention. We have fabric by the yard and design services and sources at our disposal!

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
At this point, I am not looking for a mentor or to be a mentor! With a new business and COVID navigations, I am just taking care of what is in front of me right now! 2022 will be the year to branch out and explore new markets and associations!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.raleighfabric2020.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/raleighfabricdesign/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/raleighfabric2020