Success Stories
SUCCESS STORIES
From Nursing to Quilting: Retired Couple Turns Lifelong Passion into Thriving Small Business
In a world that sometimes feels increasingly disconnected, Zelia and Roger Kifer are creating a vibrant oasis of community, creativity, and camaraderie in the heart of Tulsa.
Their dream of opening a one-of-a-kind quilting studio has blossomed into The Quilting Studio & Fabric Mercantile – a warm, welcoming space that celebrates the art of quilting and the power of shared experiences.
A Second Act
“The main reason we decided to start our business is retirement,” recalls Roger.
“Are we going to sit at home when we retire, or do we want something to do now? I can’t say starting a quilting business was my vision. But after 20 years of Zelia wanting to have a quilt store and me saying no, she finally wore me down,” Roger says with a laugh.
Establishing a new business venture – during the COVID-19 pandemic, no less! – was the perfect challenge for Zelia and Roger.
Zelia has been a successful business owner with a career in nursing. A passionate seamstress/quilter with 30 plus years of experience, she has visited and analyzed hundreds of quilt shops around the world and online. Over time, she built a vision of what a quilting studio represented to her.
Roger also has a background in nursing and medical services. He brings a technical component to the new venture. The maintenance of the space and all its resources, including the servicing of all makes and models of machines within a week or less, ensures The Quilting Studio lives up to its mandate of community, service, and quilting expertise.
Securing Financing
Armed with sheer confidence, determination, and steadfast belief in their fully realized business concept, the pair approached First Oklahoma Bank to get the funding they needed to launch their store.
As a startup, it made sense to pursue a Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan.
“If I were to have to do this whole process over again and was trying to decide on a bank, I would choose First Oklahoma,” says Roger.
“Any questions we had, we got immediate answers. And we always had someone to call.”
Roger and Zelia agree that the experience with First Oklahoma Bank was like working with a hometown bank, where customers receive dedicated attention and service.
Living the Dream
The studio is a fabric lover’s paradise, stocked to the brim with the highest quality 100% cotton fabrics from top brands. But it’s much more than just a retail space.
Zelia and Roger have thoughtfully designed the studio to be a hub of activity, with sewing stations equipped with machines available for rent, along with cutting mats, ironing boards, and ample worktables for those who prefer to use their own equipment.
“It’s a place to shop, design, sew, visit, attend workshops, seek advice, share experiences, and make friends,” Zelia explains, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. And that community-centric vision is precisely what sets The Quilting Studio apart.
As Zelia and Roger look to the future, they see endless possibilities for The Quilting Studio to grow and evolve, always with the needs of the quilting community at the forefront. From expanding their online presence to hosting larger-scale events and retreats, their vision is to make this space a hub of creativity, connection, and community for quilters near and far.