Medical professionals are always looking for quality uniforms, well look no further.
Mrs. Cheri L. Jillard is the sole proprietor of Cheri’s Creations. This company is specializes in medical professional attire and apparel. Mrs. Jillard has been sewing professionally for the majority of her adult life. She started sewing at a small factory in Pennsylvania shortly after graduating from high school. Her products include pre-made scrub tops and stethoscope covers, which are reasonably priced. She also offers to make scrub tops from fabric sent to her by her customers for what I would consider a reasonable fee. She was even asked to design a “Santa Claus Jacket” like scrub top, but we will let her tell you more about that. From this point on, CJ will be refering to Mrs. Jillard and SS will refer to SouthsideCentral’s SouthSide Spotlight.
SS: Our readers already know that you have been sewing professionally for most of your adult life. What made you decide to start creating scrub tops for the medical profession?
CJ: My decision to start creating tops was because I was tired of seeing the overpriced, over-manufactured tops in stores. The fact that I love to sew also helped in my decision.
SS: Could you explain a little more about tops being “overpriced and over-manufactured?”
CJ: Overpriced – Buying a set of scrubs for $45 when another place sells them for maybe $30. When you can get the whole set from me for about $15-$20. And you get to choose the material!
Over-manufactured – Seeing the same print over and over again for example, walking into a store and seeing 10 prints of a Tinkerbelle scrub top. Most of my tops are unique prints, and the most you will ever see is no more than two of the same print.
SS: How do you combat the “This is cheaper than the ones I just bought. I wonder what is wrong with it,” mentality?
CJ: Simple…I tell my customers that these are handmade… Those are manufactured. I know what I pay for my material, and I mark my prices accordingly. Most manufacturers are charging you for the material (not just enough for one top, but for as many tops as they can get out of that bolt) as well as their shipping charges, what they are paying their workers, etc
SS: You mentioned that customers can choose their fabric. How do you let your customers take advantage of this unique aspect of your business?
CJ: Basically, they go to a fabric store of their liking and pick out whatever fabric they like. A 2 yard minimum is required for each top. After choosing their fabric, they can bring it to me and for a small fee of $7.00 per top, I will make them a brand spanking new scrub top in the size of their choice.
SS: Have you ever had a custom order that gave you a real challenge and great satisfaction when it was seen by the customer?
CJ: Ahhh, yes. This past Christmas I had a customer order a special “Santa” scrub top. This top was made with Red Velvet fabric. Velvet fabric in itself is hard to work with because of the stretch that it has but I was able to make her a top. She gave me free reign to do with what I pleased. Needless to say, at the end she was VERY happy with the top. (Top can be found here: http://i159.photobucket.com/albums/t160/cheriscreations1/santa.jpg)
SS: Where can prospective customers find you so that they can view your products and take advantage of the fabric of your choice option?
CJ: Prospective customers can check out my eBay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/Cheris-Scrubs From there they can also send me an email if they have any questions or would like to purchase specific prints, or they can e-mail me at: cherisscrubs@aol.com. I have more prints available than what is showing in my store so be sure to keep checking back as I will be moving most of my inventory to that store in the near future. They can also see my feedback from customers that have bought from me in the past as well as what current customers have to say!
SoutsideCentral would like to take a moment to thank Mrs. Jillard for taking the time out of her day to sit down with us to talk about her business. We certainly do wish her all of the best of success with our sincere thanks for talking with us. Stay tuned for another edition of SouthsideCentral’s SouthsideSpotlight. We may be covering a business near you.
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