The highlight of the ACG conference today was the panel discussion about two women owned businesses, Handi Quilter and Making Memories Wholesale, Inc., that had been purchased (80%) by Peterson Partners, a Utah-based private equity fund.
For anyone (as clueless as I) that couldn't imagine how quilting or scrapbooking could create real businesses, it was a fascinating session.
Laurel Barrus, founded Handi Quilter, a manufacturer of quilting frames and equipment, after running a small quilting business out of her home and realizing that she needed better equipment. She designed, contracted for its manufacture and sold the finished products--lots of them.
She decided to partner with Peterson late last year in order to step out of the role of CEO and get back to a more balanced life. Peterson helped her find a new CEO to take the firm to the next level.
