Tales Of A Fourth Generation Textile Executive: All The People I Meet

August 7, 2017 /

I hate when people cancel on me, so I rarely ever cancel on others unless I have a legit reason.  It’s just not my thing and drives me absolutely crazy. With that, I kept my promise to speak at the fabric retreat thrown by Scarlett Wells of the Fabric Cobbler in Forsyth, Illinois. Scarlett did give me the “out” when she heard my uncle passed away, but I didn’t want to let down all the attendees or my friend, Scarlett.

Once and awhile it’s nice to be the only guy in the room.

Above you can see the great picture that was taken with myself, Scarlett (red head to my left) and the rest of the Cobblerstock Crew of 2017.  The thing about the fabric business is that my customers and the ultimate consumers are spread out all over the country and world.  So it isn’t like when I was in finance and all the people that I worked with were a stone’s throw away.  That makes it really hard to build relationships as I am sure you can imagine.  That being said, when I attend events like this, I truly bond with all the people in attendance.  By the end, we are exchanging info, joking around and connecting with each other on social media and such.  When it is all said and done, I hope to have made a lasting impression on each and everyone of the attendees.

The people are shockingly listening to everything I am saying. It’s amazing what the offer of some free fabric can do to get peoples’ attention. Works every time! Too bad my kids are not that in to fabric.

This isn’t very different from when I attend quilt market.  Year after year, I meet people at the market where we work together and bond over our mutual interest of fabric.  Perhaps the customer and I have a meal together, run in to each other at a schoolhouse, say hello in passing, grab a drink together at the bar or see each other in the am at the gym. However, it is sad to say that this may be the only interaction that we have with each other during the entire year since most of the customers have their own sales rep for their territory.

The thing is that I wish I could be in touch with all the people that I meet in the fabric industry because they are all truly so nice to me….especially as compared to those Wall Street guys from my prior life. The kindness was clear from all the cards, emails, blog comments and social media comments from people expressing their condolences when my uncle died. Also, when I recently blogged asking people to help me to collect sewing machines for my local JCC. I was absolutely floored about how many people stepped up.  There were so many offers that I think we will have too many sewing machines and nowhere to store them. Go figure.  Thanks for your kindness.

The bottom line is that the fabric community is full of kind and special people.  I appreciate you all and hope you appreciate me a modicum of how much I appreciate all of you.  With that, I would like to challenge you and I would like you to challenge me to try to stay in touch more throughout the year instead of just at quilt market or at a speaking engagement.  An email, a call, a note, a social media interaction what have you.  I will take what I can get and I will appreciate it.  It’s so easy to communicate nowadays, so let’s make this happen because I am not going anywhere any time soon (I am turning 45 in December and my grandpa worked until his early 90’s.  Even if I work until 70, that is still another 25 years.  OMG!)  In other words, the sooner we start, the better.

Stay In Touch Scott

655 words

 

9 Comments

  • Renee Kendall

    August 10, 2017 at 3:00 am

    I really enjoyed your time with us at Cobblerstock. We all love Scarlett and The Fabric Cobbler. Now we can actually put a face to the fabric lines that we all love as well. Your stories were entertaining, and having an opportunity to talk with you one on one was awesome. Thanks so much for understanding the value of a good relationship with your clients and the end consumer.

  • Barbara Esposito, The Quilted B

    August 8, 2017 at 6:28 pm

    Scott – thank you for being “real”. Individuals can so quickly get lost in a world where hurry is the norm, and where the bottom line is, well, the bottom line. We so often forget that people and relationships are the fiber of life, the things that make us balanced in this whirlwind. Thank you for the reminder!

    • Scott Fortunoff

      August 9, 2017 at 9:17 am

      Barb,
      You are welcome. I am trying my best. As I get older and experience life, I am realizing that there are a lot more important things than just the usual. I think my uncle’s death definitely contributed to my fresh outlook. Appreciate the comments and hoping we can meet in person soon.
      Scott

  • Cristina

    August 7, 2017 at 10:46 pm

    It was really fascinating to hear you speak about the industry and meet someone who truly cares about the end consumer of their product. Not many people in your position would take the time or bring the gifts that you did for a small group of sewers. So glad I was able to find your blog and look forward to seeing what you have to say next.

    • Scott Fortunoff

      August 8, 2017 at 8:21 am

      Thanks Cristina for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the evening and found it valuable. You are welcome for the gifts. I always come bearing gifts. I know that is the secret to a quilter’s heart. Thanks for following the blog. I also appreciate the comments so please keep them coming. Have a great week.
      Regards,
      Scott

  • Megan Bangerter

    August 7, 2017 at 10:14 pm

    It was so much fun to hear you speak! You have some fabulous stories and I and quite enjoying reading the book of you previous blogs. I can’t wait to see what other stories are told what other new things I’ll learn!