In 1980, two friends became business partners. They were young mothers who wanted to have a ministry out of the home. Neither one knew a lot about business but they did know that they enjoyed cross stitching!
Their main purpose was to publish a cross stitch book with Bible verses. There were very few of these products in publication at the time. When they went to print their book, they discovered that the cost was more than they had expected. So they developed a plan to raise the money for the book. They worked very hard to research and graph names. Sometimes that meant working long hours at night. They were rewarded when, while attending craft shows, their work was overwhelmingly accepted! They were in business!
For five years they worked together and became closer than sisters. They attended wholesale markets in Charlotte, Atlanta, Birmingham, Houston, and Baltimore. They continued to sell at craft shows around the southeast. They even appeared on TV. There was never any disagreement that stood between them in the business. They prospered. They were finally able to publish a book and three leaflets.
Then one of the partners decided she wanted to return to college and earn her degree. She wanted to teach. The other partner bought out her share and continued business…but really did not have the heart anymore. She continued to do mail orders only. This meant she did not have to travel. Orders came in consistently from new customers as well as those who had previously ordered.
I know all of this because my mom is the partner who bought out the other and has owned and operated Counted Blessings for the last several years. In 2003, my wife and I purchased Counted Blessings from my mom.
As a result of our circumstances, we have closed the business’s Post Office box and moved everything to the web!
My mom has said that she cannot count all the blessings she has received from seeing Scripture cross stitched and placed in homes. It is our desire to continue to provide traditional, Christian, cross stitch over the internet so that these blessings will continue.
