American Quilt Retailer
editorial team
editorial team
Susan Fuquay is the founder, owner, publisher, editor, advertising director, art director, marketing director and office manager of American Quilt Retailer. With a background in art and design and years of additional experience in retailing, trade magazine publishing and quilting, she knows that all her various job titles over the past 30 years have taught her the necessary skills to handle every one of her current job titles. American Quilt Retailer began 11 years ago as the first — premier — trade newsletter to serve the quilting industry. There was a need to communicate retailing knowledge, industry news and product information to quilt retailers. Since those early days, American Quilt Retailer has grown from a small newsletter into a four-color magazine that suits the needs of the independent quilt shop owner.
"I've always seen my role in the industry as a means of communicating sound retailing ideas and current trends from the experts to quilt shop owners. I don't have all the answers or expertise needed to run a quilt shop, but I love finding the experts and communicating to our 1,100 readers the information they need to know to be successful business owners."
Jim Fuquay is the co-owner, editorial advisor, business consultant, editorial contributor, computer technician, webmaster and grounds keeper for American Quilt Retailer. He has been a business reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, in Fort Worth, Texas, for the past 25 years covering just about every beat from airlines to real estate to technology to finance. His wealth of knowledge, expertise and support in all areas is invaluable to the production of American Quilt Retailer.
Susan Besand is the president of Micro-Solve, Inc., based in Oswego, Ore. She started her business in 1983 and has worked with small business owners training them how to use their computers to benefit their business. She said, "As a small business owner myself, I can relate to the challenges that other business owners face today, and I like to help them understand how they can benefit from technology. I have always encouraged my customers to embrace technology rather than fight it! It is a learning process. The more educated that the American Quilt Retailer readers are about the ways that technology will help their business survive and grow, the more they will feel at ease and trust automation."
www.micro-solve.com
Tink Boord-Dill is the owner of Tink-Boord-Dill Needlework. Through years of experience in the needlework and quilting industry she has virtually harnessed the World Wide Web. She knows many of the “ins and outs” of Web promotion and offers American Quilt Retailer readers a guiding hand. An innovative thinker, with rigorous training in creative problem solving, Tink loves to share her knowledge. She conducts online Workshops for Retailers which provide easy, accessible information and solutions, in a format that works even for busy entrepreneurs. www.tinkbd.comhttp://www.fttRadio.com.
Beth Ferrier is owner of Applewood Farm Publications, Inc., based in Saginaw, Mich. In the last 30 years she has written and self-published six books, 20 patterns and various block of the month and mystery projects. She has a special gift for teaching and conducts classes, lectures and workshops at guilds and shops across the country. Now a well-known TV personality, she is a frequent guest on Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson and Kaye Wood's Quilting Friends. Beth's fun-loving sense of humor and understanding of the human soul shine in each of her Totally Off-Grain columns.
www.applewd.com
Pat Forke has owned Quakertown Quilts in Friendswood, Texas, for over 17 years. During that time Quakertown has expanded from 900 square feet to 5,000 square feet and branched out into the wholesale, design and mail order/Internet business. Pat’s prior life included teaching business classes at both the high school and college level as well as working in both public relations and human resources for Exxon Corp. Recently Pat earned a master’s degree in accounting and took several continuing education classes in computer and business-related subjects.
Pat is a firm believer in the value of life-long education. For that reason, she relies on American Quilt Retailer and other opportunities in the industry for education. She said she feels there is not enough opportunity for small business owners to network and learn from other business owners. Pat welcomes the opportunity to write for American Quilt Retailer. This not only helps other shop owners but also affords her the opportunity to learn by investigating various topics and books.
www.quakertownquilts.com
Jim Salinas is a sales representative for Moda Fabrics with more than 30 valuable years of experience in the fabric industry. He lives in New Braunfels, Texas, when he’s not traveling the roads of Texas in his car.
Jim spent the early portion of his career with Hancock Fabrics as a store manager and then as a district manager in Arizona for 17 years. As district manager, he was responsible for the retail operation of 18 stores. After leaving Hancock to join Cloth World, Jim eventually became vice president of merchandising. When Jo Ann's purchased Cloth World, Jim joined Michael's Arts and Crafts as their director of fabric merchandising. His 26-year chain store career ended as the executive vice president at House of Fabrics.
Jim said, "It is my opinion that the quilt shops of today are the fabric stores of tomorrow. I believe that the future of home sewing lies with the independent retailer. I believe that sharing the knowledge I have accumulated over my career will help independent shop owners run higher volume and more profitable businesses."
Ashley Smith is director of marketing for Possibilities. She's a hip "30-something" who has grown up in the quilting industry, and has worked professionally in the industery for 10 years. She lives in Denver.
Publisher
Susan Fuquay
Susan Fuquay
Editorial advisor
Jim Fuquay
Jim Fuquay
POS Power
Susan Besand
Susan Besand
TechSupport
Tink Boord-Dill
Tink Boord-Dill
Totally Off-Grain
Beth Ferrier
Beth Ferrier
OnTrack
Pat Forke
Pat Forke
Jim Salinas
Just Ask Jim
Just Ask Jim
Ashley Smith
Straight from the Hip
Straight from the Hip
American Quilt Retailer, P.O. Box 172876, Arlington, TX 76003-2876; phone (817) 478–6790; fax (817) 478-8337
Email: sfuquay@americanquiltretailer.com
Email: sfuquay@americanquiltretailer.com
