Karissa Hunter, owner of West Main Co., an embroidery business in Lisbon has had an extremely busy January this year in a new location that has kept her embroidery machines humming.

West Main Co. opened doors in April 1, 2022 in the upper levels of the Lincolnway Golf Carts building. At the time, Hunter was there with her single head and double head embroidery machine, doing custom embroidery orders for businesses.

Late last year, Hunter made an investment in her embroidery business of buying a 12-head embroidery machine.

“That allows me to run 12 different items at the same time,” Hunter said.

Prior to that, Hunter had been working with a one-head and two-head embroidery machine.

“I was just maxed out at what I could do with machines of that capacity,” Hunter said. “Investing in a 12-head machine would increase the number of jobs that could be run.”

When she and her husband had purchased the 12-head embroidery machine, they realized that the space they were utilizing may not be able to fit the machine, so they looked for business space they could rent. They didn’t have to look too far, as the space they settled on was at the south end of Salon 30. It’s a space that has room for West Main Co. to grow in the future as well for more machines.

Hunter said that some of her mentors had advised her that the months of January through March are sometimes the slowest for embroidery business.

For Hunter, that hasn’t been the case. She had an order for 600 embroidered hats that kicked off her January, and her embroidery machines have been running ever since.

Hunter said that most embroidery jobs take roughly two to three weeks to complete, depending on the size of the order.

“Over the holidays, our turnaround time got to be closer to four weeks to complete a job,” Hunter said.

That still does allow for occasional rush jobs for customers who need items very last minute.

Hunter started out as a teacher. When she and her husband were looking at raising a family, that’s when Hunter said she had an idea for an embroidery business, as that would allow her to have a creative outlet.

“I was taught sewing by my mom growing up, but embroidery is different than sewing,” Hunter said. “I’ve been self taught on each of the machines I utilize.”

Hunter said the thing she loves about owning her own embroidery business is tackling projects for customers.

Hunter said she works with a thread company in Iowa City to match colors to a company’s logos as close as possible for any job.

As well as embroidery, Hunter also has a laser engraving business, also purchasing a second laser engraver.

“We have really invested a lot into this business and love the work of embroidery,” Hunter said.

As for what can be embroidered, Hunter said that embroidery works on a lot of different materials, from Carhart coats to shirts.

“We can usually make it happen on anything,” Hunter said.

Hunter and her family love spending their time outdoors during the summer, boating and camping up at Guttenburg.

Hunter said she has also loved collaborating with many local businesses to help them shop locally for their embroidery needs and get their promotional attire and items out in the community.

That’s included locations like Lisbon and Mount Vernon Schools, but also several businesses in both towns.

“Some of my favorite projects have also been some of the sentimental pieces families have wanted to make,” Hunter said.

Production times are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, but Hunter notes they are a small business and sometimes have to make time for errands in the community, so she advises calling ahead at 319-382-6087 to make sure someone is at the shop.

Customers can also fill out an order form at WestMainCo.Com for their orders.