Today we’d like to introduce you to Austin Ballard.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Austin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I moved to Long Beach in 2004. I graduated from college in 2006 and needed a job. A friend of mine offered me a job in an embroidery company in San Pedro. I started at the bottom only looking for more. I worked at that job for 11 years. Over the years I helped grow that company into what it is today. I learned from their mistakes and their successes.
I come from a long line of business owners, so I felt right at home trying to do something on my own. My wife and I decided it was time for me to take the plunge in the summer of 2016 and buy my own machine. I had currently been able to use a few at my place of employment.
3 days before my birthday I received my machine, and it hasn’t stopped running since.
I started with Instagram. Gorilla marketing, asking every company in Long beach if I could help them with any embroidery. I started gaining customers left and right.
I made a yelp account and haven’t had to look for work since. If you’re in the Long Beach area or even surrounding areas, I’m the #1 embroidery company in Long Beach.
My customers love my turn around time, usually finishing orders within a few days. My quality is on par with some of the best out there. I have customers that tell me I should charge more for my services.
There is nothing I love more than the look on their face when they receive the finished product.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I haven’t really had any struggles in my journey. I have a great support group of friends and family. I’m sure there will be some hard times to come, but for now everything is just moving smoothly.
I would love to grow, but I’m content with the pace I’m working at. I don’t want to over extend my self and let this get away from me.
Just recently I moved my machine into a warehouse space with room for me to grow. I’m currently looking to buy a new embroidery machine and possibly hire an employee so I have more time to find more business.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Coastline Stitches – what should we know?
Coastline Stitches is a custom digitizing and embroidery company in Long Beach CA. We have been working in embroidery for over a decade now. We’re looking to grow in to more types of embroidery as well. We do everything from hats and shirts to blankets and socks.
For graduation season, we’ve done many graduation sashes. Wedding season, we see a lot of gifts for groomsmen and bridesmaids. Socks, vests, silk robes, pocket squares and decorative handkerchiefs.
I love that we are able to do exactly what the customer wants and within a time frame that blows them away.
We take any size order as well. If you want one… you can have one. We don’t have a minimum like other companies and will work with you on the price for whatever you’re looking for.
We do also take larger orders in the hundreds of pieces and still keep a very fast turnaround time.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for my family. Learning from my parents at a young age about managing your own business. I really wouldn’t be where I am today without my wife. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have bought my first machine so soon.
Pricing:
- One time setup fee of $25
Contact Info:
- Address: 859 W 34th St.,
Long Beach, CA 90806 - Website: Coastlinestitches.com
- Phone: 530-510-0176
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @coastlinestitches
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Coastlinestitches
- Twitter: @coastlinestitches
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/coastline-stitches-long-beach
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