Parker opened Across the Stitch, an embroidery brick and mortar, in November of 2023 after years of success selling online and at farmers markets. She specializes in cross stitching, embroidery and T-shirt printing—customizing items like stuffed animals, bags, polo shirts, sweatshirts, onesies and hats.
The background
Parker discovered cross stitching at the start of her army career, using it as a creative outlet. After 23 years of service, she converted her hobby into an online store and sold her cross-stitch creations to customers on Etsy in 2017. One year later, Parker expanded with an embroidery machine and sold to local community members at farmers markets.
“If I just stayed on Etsy and didn't do the markets, I wouldn't have been able to grow,” Parker said.
Through her time at markets, Parker met customers who told her about small business networking opportunities, such as Business Network International, which helped expand her brand.
“Once I found BNI, I found other business owners then it helped me to find other people in the community to help me grow my business,” Parker said. “It's all connected.”
What they offer
Since opening, Parker has expanded her embroidery equipment to accommodate larger orders and focus on efficiency. She has several machines, specifically for hats and multi-garment production. Although she has the capacity to fulfill bigger orders, Parker said one thing that customers appreciate is that she has no minimum on any order.
“If you want one thing embroidered, you could bring it to me,” Parker said. “When customers come to me, I give them that undivided, one-on-one attention. They appreciate that, so they come back.”
Parker does personal consultations for customers looking to place an order. In store, she has examples of different embroidery and printing offerings, allowing people to feel the textures of each fabric and see what the finished product would look like to scale. Parker said customers appreciate the attention to detail because it allows them to have an accurate visualization of what their design will look like when it’s complete.
“My favorite thing about owning this small business is when a customer comes in to pick up their garment and they see it and they light up,” Parker said. “I love watching their reaction.”
What else?
Her favorite items to work on are the glittery embroidered sweatshirts hanging at the front of her store. She has two on either side of the front desk–each representing her own life, she said. On the left is a yellow sweatshirt with the words “Female Veteran U.S. Army” embroidered on the front in black thread. On the right is a black sweatshirt with a glittery “MOM” in the middle, and her two daughters' names on the right sleeve—both are bookends to the neon Across the Stitch signage.
The store is open to customers 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and by appointment on Saturday and Sunday.
- 1108 S. I-35, Round Rock
- www.acrossthestitchembroidery.com
