Local Entrepreneur Expanding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:             

Mark Heath
President/CEO
Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation
276-403-5944
mheath@yesmartinsville.com
 
Valerie Harper 
Director of Small Business Division 
Martinsville Henry County Economic Development Corporation
276-403-5950
vharper@yesmartinsville.com

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Mollies Originals LLC will expand into the Solid Stone Fabrics building on Walker Road, thanks in part to a $36,350 grant from the Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) The grant was approved Thursday by the EDC board.

“We are extremely pleased to assist Mollies as they continue to grow and expand in our community. Their locally grown business embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that has been the foundation of this community,” said Mark Heath, President/CEO of the Martinsville-Henry County EDC.

The grant, from the EDC’s Existing Industry Grant program, will be used to buy 17 various industrial grade sewing machines needed to expand Mollies Originals’ products, customer base and productivity at its new location. These machines, in addition to the prospective contracts that they will support, are expected to generate 16 new jobs and additional sales of nearly $1 million within two years between Mollies Originals and Solid Stone Fabrics.

Sharon Sleeper, owner of Mollies Originals, said the specialized sewing machines, each with specific electrical and space requirements, are essential if her business is to grow. In her existing location in the McCollum Ferrell building in uptown Martinsville, Mollies operates within 2,500 square feet in the back of the building; the front of the building is occupied by retailers. The area was designed as a retail space but currently houses Mollies’ office, cutting room, fabric storage and 22 sewing machines used in production. The electrical capacity of the building cannot accommodate Mollies expansion.

The idea of moving Mollies Originals into manufacturing space in the Solid Stone building came from David Stone, president and owner of the fabric company.

“We had a project that we didn’t have enough capacity for; she had the ability to help us. We worked together on that and the customer was happy,” Stone said. “Then we started brainstorming.” 

Stone’s suggestion that Mollies move into part of his new facility, which formerly housed Bassett-Walker and VF Corp., “surprised me because I’m so small and he’s so big,” Sleeper said. “But we are both certain the partnership will be a success.”

Solid Stone and Mollies will share the cost of renovations that will range from nearly $75,000 to $115,000. They also will share some synergies under one roof. Solid Stone Fabrics can provide access to human resources, accounting and sales staff, as well as graphic designers, state of the art machines and additional sewers under a memorandum of understanding with Mollies Originals, according to Stone and the memorandum.

For its part, Mollies has the ability and experience to take on many projects that Solid Stone would not normally accept, and it has a more sophisticated time/cost estimate process than Solid Stone possesses.

“The key is that the departmental strengths of both companies will be shared to achieve success for all. Both companies will learn from each other and act as one entity when required to achieve what is best for all,” the memorandum states. “It’s a win- win situation all the way around when two local companies partner together to achieve growth . . . keeping their investments and job creation right here in our community,” added Heath.  

Sleeper approached the EDC for help in buying the machinery so Mollies could expand. The $36,350 grant was approved from the EDC’s Existing Industry Grant program that helps local, stable companies with the cost of new machinery or their physical plant. Grants of up to $50,000 are considered and must be approved by the full EDC board.

Sleeper has used the EDC’s services through its Small, Minority, & Entrepreneurial Division since Mollies was started in 2011.  She said the company’s growth would not have been possible without the EDC’s help. She went through the EDC’s SmartSTART program for local entrepreneurs as well as many of its classes, and she has used its staff and resources to learn how to run and grow a business.  

“I’m constantly calling on Valerie for something,” said Sleeper, a former nurse. “She has been a critical resource for me and has always provided valuable guidance and support.” Valerie Harper is the Director of the Small, Minority & Entrepreneurial Division. 

“Mollies Originals willingness to diversify their products has been one of the keys to their success. Using talent from our area’s rich textile heritage and cross-pollination with other local companies are added bonuses with positive impacts for our community,” said Harper.

Sleeper also received help from the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce and Dick Ephgrave at the Longwood Small Business Development Center. She said she received a small grant from C-PEG, and she constantly applies for other grants.  She also credited Dr. Mervyn King, who owns the McCollum Ferrell Building, with making her rent affordable.  “It was a community effort” that helped Mollies grow, she added.       

 

ABOUT MOLLIES

Mollies Originals was formed in 2011 to make scarves for dogs — including Mollie, a beloved “save” dog that belonged to owner Sleeper’s daughter. The scarves didn’t sell, but the word of the business’s custom sewing spread.

The company started with only two original owners, Sleeper and Hope Johnson, performing all the sewing. The company currently has 12 employees with an abundance of varied experience in the area’s once-bustling textile industry.

Mollies Originals provides services such as cut and sew projects, personalized and embroidery services and couture items for companies nationwide. Mollie’s customers range from small to mid-size companies in fields of retail, fashion, service, and medical equipment. Local customers include RaesWear, an athletic apparel company owned by Leigh Cockram; and Flex Fab, an advertising company offering form-fitting fabric display items for convenience and retail stores, owned by Rick Martin. 

Other customers include Kiya Tomlin LLC, a New York based design company that specialized in fleece designer wear which recently ordered 2,000 pieces and placed exclusive production of its spring clothing line to Mollies; and Annand Co., a New York-based contract for exclusive aprons and pants. In addition Mollies has several contracts with customers in the medical supply field.

                

ABOUT SOLID STONE FABRICS

Solid Stone Fabrics sources, prints, cuts and sews fabric at its new 81,000-square-foot building on the site that once housed Bassett-Walker and later VF Corp. manufacturing facilities. Its major customers for fabric are in the fields of dance, gymnastics, ice skating and theme parks. Swimwear, activewear and marching bands are the main customers for its printed fabrics. It sews banners, flags and bollard covers.  

The company started in Stone’s home in 2003 and currently employs 35 people.

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