It’s hard to miss the Pink Possum Quilting building if you’re driving just north of Greymouth. It stands out on the rural highway like a disco ball in a barn, painted in bright hues of pink, orange, green and blue.
Sewing was a hobby for Sue Roper, whose main occupation had been managing adventure tourism operation On Yer Bike alongside her husband, Mike, and homeschooling their children (including, ahem, myself). They both worship at Cobden-Runanga Parish.
Growing this hobby to a side-hustle and eventually a business, Sue found her vocation in Pink Possum Quilting. When she first opened the retail shop, she decided to start a social stitching group, as that’s what all quilt shops did.
We caught up about what it’s like to find faith at work… at work.
Sue: Pink Possum Quilting began as a small home-based business quilting customer quilt tops, and has grown over the last twelve years to a retail and online store, full of colourful fabrics and threads. I have a design studio, dye room and a classroom. These days I am a one-woman band, but owe a gratitude of thanks to my sister, Rochelle, who helped me develop this business for seven of those years.
Sue: My faith influences me greatly in my work. Not only am I able to trust God for provision, I love the opportunities it gives me to give to others. I am thankful everyday to be able to “work” in an environment that feeds my mind, soul and spirit.
My faith reminds me to value all people equally and to show love and respect no matter what. I try to make the shop a happy place to be and have been told it feels good to be here. Some days there might be a Christian playlist on the go. Hudson, my dog, is always at the front door to greet customers, and he opens up many conversations. I have even been known to slip little notes of encouragement into customers’ parcels.
I remember one woman in particular who came in one day after several years from her last visit. She looked dreadful and was almost hiding under her clothes and in the shop. I asked her if she was okay, and she was close to tears, telling me she was trying to hide because she felt so worthless. It was heartbreaking – all I could do was tell her she was worthwhile, giver her a hug and pop a little note in her bag for her to find when she got home.
A number of years ago I had the opportunity of meeting other quilt shop owners from around the world, and we all talked about the uniqueness of a quilt shop. The shop is a special place where the staff are able to connect really well with the customer, who will often be making things for their family or friend. We talk about our children, grandchildren or the special people they are there for. They will talk about sickness, death, retirement and more, and it’s not uncommon for tears to flow and hugs to be given in the shop.
These connections and stitching groups have become the “why” of why I continue the business. It’s very rewarding.
Sue: The wonderful women that come to the stitching groups are so talented, although most of them deny it. They often come along because they are new to town, are recovering from an illness, have had a bereavement, are newly retired or are just plain lonely.
I love the way our group embraces the newcomer and many close friendships arise because of the group and they don’t allow gossip.
She was in a terrible state nine years ago and now she is a key member and has gained enough confidence to teach classes for me.
We have lost a few members over the years and it’s been a privilege to connect with some of their families and sometimes I can complete a few of their quilts for them. They have also been there for me during the hard times, especially when the shop flooded in 2022.
Sue: The biggest ethical dilemma that bothers me is filling the world with yet more waste. Although I sell brand new fabric, I also love to recycle and reuse and encourage this where I can. I dye and repurpose old New Zealand woollen blankets and this has become a major part of my business.
The biggest challenge to shops like mine at the moment is competing with internet shopping. My faith has taught me I can trust that God will provide for me and my business because I know he has put me here to do it, and he has never failed me. Without that worry, I’m free to focus on the more important things like good customer service and opportunities to bless others.
Sue: For me, it’s to be able to do what I love every day, and for others, it’s teaching, bringing out their creativity and watching them grow in confidence.
You can visit Pink Possum Quilting in Greymouth or look at the website here.
Check out other articles in the
Faith in Business
series below.
More articles in the
Faith in Business
series are to come.
We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
It’s hard to miss the Pink Possum Quilting building if you’re driving just north of Greymouth. It stands out on the rural highway like a disco ball in a barn, painted in bright hues of pink, orange, green and blue.
Sewing was a hobby for Sue Roper, whose main occupation had been managing adventure tourism operation On Yer Bike alongside her husband, Mike, and homeschooling their children (including, ahem, myself). They both worship at Cobden-Runanga Parish.
Growing this hobby to a side-hustle and eventually a business, Sue found her vocation in Pink Possum Quilting. When she first opened the retail shop, she decided to start a social stitching group, as that’s what all quilt shops did.
We caught up about what it’s like to find faith at work… at work.
Sue: Pink Possum Quilting began as a small home-based business quilting customer quilt tops, and has grown over the last twelve years to a retail and online store, full of colourful fabrics and threads. I have a design studio, dye room and a classroom. These days I am a one-woman band, but owe a gratitude of thanks to my sister, Rochelle, who helped me develop this business for seven of those years.
Sue: My faith influences me greatly in my work. Not only am I able to trust God for provision, I love the opportunities it gives me to give to others. I am thankful everyday to be able to “work” in an environment that feeds my mind, soul and spirit.
My faith reminds me to value all people equally and to show love and respect no matter what. I try to make the shop a happy place to be and have been told it feels good to be here. Some days there might be a Christian playlist on the go. Hudson, my dog, is always at the front door to greet customers, and he opens up many conversations. I have even been known to slip little notes of encouragement into customers’ parcels.
I remember one woman in particular who came in one day after several years from her last visit. She looked dreadful and was almost hiding under her clothes and in the shop. I asked her if she was okay, and she was close to tears, telling me she was trying to hide because she felt so worthless. It was heartbreaking – all I could do was tell her she was worthwhile, giver her a hug and pop a little note in her bag for her to find when she got home.
A number of years ago I had the opportunity of meeting other quilt shop owners from around the world, and we all talked about the uniqueness of a quilt shop. The shop is a special place where the staff are able to connect really well with the customer, who will often be making things for their family or friend. We talk about our children, grandchildren or the special people they are there for. They will talk about sickness, death, retirement and more, and it’s not uncommon for tears to flow and hugs to be given in the shop.
These connections and stitching groups have become the “why” of why I continue the business. It’s very rewarding.
Sue: The wonderful women that come to the stitching groups are so talented, although most of them deny it. They often come along because they are new to town, are recovering from an illness, have had a bereavement, are newly retired or are just plain lonely.
I love the way our group embraces the newcomer and many close friendships arise because of the group and they don’t allow gossip.
She was in a terrible state nine years ago and now she is a key member and has gained enough confidence to teach classes for me.
We have lost a few members over the years and it’s been a privilege to connect with some of their families and sometimes I can complete a few of their quilts for them. They have also been there for me during the hard times, especially when the shop flooded in 2022.
Sue: The biggest ethical dilemma that bothers me is filling the world with yet more waste. Although I sell brand new fabric, I also love to recycle and reuse and encourage this where I can. I dye and repurpose old New Zealand woollen blankets and this has become a major part of my business.
The biggest challenge to shops like mine at the moment is competing with internet shopping. My faith has taught me I can trust that God will provide for me and my business because I know he has put me here to do it, and he has never failed me. Without that worry, I’m free to focus on the more important things like good customer service and opportunities to bless others.
Sue: For me, it’s to be able to do what I love every day, and for others, it’s teaching, bringing out their creativity and watching them grow in confidence.
You can visit Pink Possum Quilting in Greymouth or look at the website here.
Check out other articles in the
Faith in Business
series below.
More articles in the
Faith in Business
series are to come.
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