Six years ago, Katy Rhodes and her mother, Kay Johnson, turned their hobby into a business.

With the talent and passion for making clothes and embroidery, they set out to sell their clothes and designs at farmers markets and local craft shows. Their new shop, located in the Red River District, was selected as the winner of the Downtown Development Authority’s Pop UP Shop project. Rhodes and her mother enjoy the new space rent-free for a year. Rhodes tells us how she got her start and the key to her business success.

Can you give us some background on your business? How did you start? RHODES: My mother, Kay Johnson, began making clothes for my daughter, Abbey. We had friends and family that loved the designs and uniqueness in the clothing. We purchased a small embroidery machine, and I began learning how to do embroidery. We kept getting orders from friends of friends, and the hobby we were doing started to become more of a business. A few years later, we decided we could do this as a weekend side business. My father came up with the name ‘Appli-K’s,’ which is from Katy and Kay for the Ks in our name. We then started setting up on the weekends at the farmers market and traveling to local festivals. In 2014 we entered the Pop UP project and were chosen for the Holiday Pop UP.

Q. What kind of shopping experience do you want customers to have? RHODES: We are a very customer-centric store. We cater to the busy customer that can’t always come down and place an order face-to-face. We know our customer needs and know their busy lifestyle. That is why we have made ordering and pick up easy! We are unlike any embroidery business in that we take orders by phone, email or in person. We offer the highest quality product along with the fastest turnaround time you’ll find. We care about our customer. We not only take your order and complete it, we will help you make your design and assist you in the process. Tell us your idea and we will make it a reality!

Q. How did you feel being the winner of the Pop UP shops? RHODES: It was an incredible opportunity for us to take our business to the next level. I am still truly humbled at being chosen out of all the great businesses that were in the Pop UP project. We are very thankful to The Committee of One Hundred for believing in us.

Q. What kind of opportunities has this brought to you and your business? RHODES: We were able to establish ourselves as a brick and mortar business and have an actual retail environment. This has allowed us to be in one place instead of just during a particular season or event.

Q. You mainly do appliques in your shop, but what else do you offer your customers? RHODES: We do much more than appliques! We do embroidery, monogramming, handmade children’s clothes, leather embroidery and monogramming, custom T-shirts, logo design and business logo digitizing for embroidery. We also offer vintage regional gift items.

Q. You and your mom, Kay Johnson, are co-owners. What is it like to own a business with your mother? RHODES: We work well together. While my mother creates hand-made clothing, bags, scarves and custom items, I do the embroidery and run the business.

Q. What advice would you give other women who want to follow their passion and start their own business? RHODES: I would [say] be smart, start small and build your business just as we did. We didn’t get here overnight, and it has been a long process with hard work by everyone involved. Customer service and building relationships is key as well.