In need of a unique and personalized gift for the holidays?

Shop no further then 9810 Crestwick to visit a home based neighbor-friendly monogramming business.

Bernadette Anderson, owner and operator of Sew B It!, can beautifully monogram a special family linen for your holiday table or customize a wide assortment of in stock items perfect for gift giving.

This week, LH Today introduces you to Bernie (as she’s known to her many friends and neighbors) and her business, Sew B It!

For the Shop LH Deal of the week, she’s offering 20% off monogramming services. It’s a perfect opportunity to get that special Christmas stocking personalized for a loved one!

We sat down with Bernie to find out more about her and her business.

LHT: Prior to owning Sew B It! you worked as an employee of a monogramming business. What prompted you to take over the business?

Anderson: It’s really simple. For seven years I worked with Angie Payne, owner of U Name It Creations. I worked closely with so many good folks that when Angie and her family moved to Austin, I didn’t want to let go of those relationships. I’d told Angie that if she ever sold her business, I was interested in buying it. Well, Angie moved and I bought this great LH based business!

LHT: What other professions have you held, and did you always have an interest in sewing?

Anderson: What I do is not really sewing. It’s learning to operate a machine and that’s what’s funny - I can barely sew on a button! When I was in Junior High I had to take Home Economics and that’s the extent of my sewing! Prior to doing this full time, I was a manager at a bank, specializing in residential lending.

LHT: What are the positives – and negatives – of working within your home?

Anderson: Well, the positives are being able to walk into the office in my PJ’s and getting work done at all hours. It’s always accessible. I’m also flexible to be at my child’s beck and call at a moments notice! Given this economy, the tax advantages are a plus, as well. As to the negatives, I’m at my child’s beck and call at a moments notice! Seriously, I can’t really leave my work, it’s always right here. We also have no living room anymore.

LHT: How effective has ‘"word of mouth" been among your Lake Highlands neighbors in growing your business?

Anderson: Word of mouth is probably the most effective source of advertising I have. I’m very blessed to have a very large and loyal customer base.

LHT: Do you use local vendors?

Anderson: Most definitely. That's one of the things about Lake Highlands that I think makes it so stable: We all feel very strongly to give our support to our local vendors, especially home based businesses. Lake Highlands is one of the most supportive communities I’ve ever lived and worked in.

Customers can bring their own article to her, such as uniform apparel (she does a lot of Paw Prints!), sleeping bags, Christmas stockings, bath towels, sheets, bedding, and throw blankets.

There is also a wide variety of products kept in stock, including cosmetic bags, tote bags (teacher favorites), insulated lunch bags, hand towels, robes and spa wraps, pillow covers, nap mats, back packs, duffles, burp cloths, baby blankets and bloomers.

You can contact Bernadette Anderson at 214 348-4602 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).