About the Virtual Chapter
The WCAA Virtual Chapter is one chapter among many in the Window Coverings Association of America. We provide education to make it easy to grow your business exactly where you are, join a supportive community and learn from other experienced business owners. We provide monthly educational webinars that include best business practices, fabrication techniques, social media and marketing ideas and vendor resources. As an organization, since we believe in community over competition, our goal is to provide an environment where that is exemplified. We are under the very supportive umbrella, WCAA National, Your national membership provides you access to some wonderful window treatment vendors and industry partners - make sure to get familiar with them. You can find links to the industry partners websites here. |
Meet the Virtual Chapter Board |
 President Kathryn Dillon owns and operates Kathryn Dillon Drapery and Design LLC, a full service window treatment and soft goods design and fabrication business. Kathryn has built her business by consistently providing exquisitely handcrafted products and services in addition to window coverings, such as furniture, upholstery, rugs and paint color selections to busy homeowners and executives. Over the past 28 years, she has created lasting relationships with repeat clients and those that value attention to detail throughout the design and fabrication process. Kathryn credits the success of her business to the trust her clients have placed in her collaborative style, her ability to listen and transform their design dilemmas into beautiful as well as functional solutions. Kathryn completed a Bachelor of Science in Textiles and Clothing along with a Studio Concentration in Fiber Arts from Colorado State University. She has continued to add to her own professional development by attending seminars, conferences and receiving business coaching. Kathryn is an avid learner and has received certification in Slipcover Fabrication Techniques and Shades and Advanced Top Treatments and certification as a WFCP Designer and Workroom Specialist by completing the Window Fashions Certified Professional Program. In March of 2017 she received an award at the IWCE Vision Workroom Competition in the Bedding and Pillows category. She had been a local and national WCAA member since 2005 and has served on several committees in the Atlanta Chapter. She is currently the President of the WCAA Virtual Chapter. Kathryn has also been a frequent contributor to Vision Magazine since 2017. |
Born in the Midwest, Jill grew up in Minnesota, started college in Wisconsin, took a brief hiatus to travel, and then continued her studies in Minnesota. She received a thorough education in interior design, window treatment design/fabrication, and upholstery. Jill started Impressive Windows & Interiors LLC when her children were young and worked part-time until they were older. In 2015, before her boys left the nest, she opened a showroom in downtown Hastings, Minnesota. She recognized the need for access to a broader range of products and services for her peers, so Jill founded My Designer Concierge, a buying group for the soft furnishing industry in 2017. In 2019, she furthered her dedication to the soft furnishing industry by founding a cordless shade distribution company focused on child-safety called Cordless-Shade.com. She is a self-proclaimed neat freak and organizational wizard. |
Like many others in this business, Amanda Smith did not start out as a fabricator of window treatments. She attended college at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte earning a bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education. After teaching English and Social Studies for seven years, she attended graduate school earning a master’s degree in Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and worked as a high school media specialist for three years. She became a stay-at-home Mom in 1998 when her twin boys were born. When her boys turned three Amanda knew she wanted to work but did not want to return to teaching full time. While visiting a friend one afternoon, she noticed her friend had new window treatments in the family room. It was an “ah ha” moment. She thought, “If I can make cocktail dresses, I can surely learn to make window treatments.” Amanda comes from a family that sews. Her mother, an accomplished sewer and quilter, taught Amanda the art of sewing at age 12. Her father owned a successful auto upholstery business for 25 years. Both of her grandmothers and all of her aunts sewed. With her family’s support, she set up a small workroom in an extra bedroom and completed her first job in July 2001. What started out as a small, retail business has grown into a to-the-trade full-service workroom offering fabrication of panels, valances, bedding and decorative accessories as well as several lines of fabrics, hardware, shutters, blinds, woven woods. Over the years her work has been published in several local magazines and online design sites. She has provided fabrication for several designer show houses in North Carolina. Amanda continues her fabrication education by belonging to the Window Coverings Association of America and by attending local and national conferences. She is currently serving as treasurer of the Virtual Chapter of the WCAA. |
Jennifer owns a one-person workroom which is located in her home. She is primarily a retail workroom, selling fabric, foam, and drapery hardware, however she also enjoys working with young designers in her area. Jennifer has become well known in Florida for slipcovers so she stays very busy with that part of the business. Recently, she has been receiving more interest in draperies and Roman shades, which she is enjoying very much. Prior to starting her workroom 6 years ago, Jennifer worked for 10 years at a local Bernina dealership. She sold machines and taught all their guide classes as well as a lot of project classes. It was a great launching pad for her workroom business. |
Meet The Committee Coordinators
Robin Matthews opened her workroom in 2000. “Seams Sew Right” specializes in window treatments, bedding, slipcovers, cushions and pillows. Robin is known for her innovative fabrication and installation techniques. Her work has been featured in DIY Good Housekeeping, Design NJ and Vision magazines. Robin has taught at The Custom Workroom Conference and Workroom Tech. She is a member of the WCAA, WCAA NJ Chapter and WCAA Virtual Chapter.
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Kate Winton is the owner of Kate Winton Designs, she has over 30 years of experience in the interior design, textile, and marketing industry. She has held positions with Macy’s, F. Schumacher & Co. and P/Kaufmann, Inc and recently added a custom workroom to her business. Kate’s dedication and passion for design allows her creativity to help fabricate delightful interiors for her clients. She is an active member of WCAA, the WCAA Virtual Chapter and the New Jersey Chapter. She also a WAM member and a PRO+ Member of the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Research Library. |
Marie Mouradian, owner of Window Designs Etc., is as passionate about window treatments today as she was when she started her business over 35 years ago. She has created beautiful interiors for thousands of clients throughout the central Massachusetts area. Her residential projects range from small cottages to multi-million-dollar estates. Marie's portfolio includes designs for commercial properties such as boardrooms, lobbies and historical libraries. Learning to sew at as a child, Marie pursued a degree in Clothing, Textiles and Design. Fresh out of college, her talent with fabric quickly developed into a prosperous business creating home décor. As a persistent learner, she continues to take courses in all aspects of interior design. Marie has earned certifications as an Interior Graphic Designer, Benjamin Moore Color Consultant, Hunter Douglas Certified Professional and Master Window Fashion Certified Professional. She keeps up with design trends and technology by attending classes at the Boston Design Center, attending the Design Influencers Conference and the International Window Covering Expo. Marie was an early adopter to motorization and home automation. She designed her first motorized window treatment in 1989. She is certified in Hunter Douglas Motorization. Marie has received numerous awards including several from Window Fashion Vision Design Competition and she's a 7-time winner of The Landmark-Best Home Decorating Services award. The support of her tight knit local central Massachusetts community plays a large part in Marie's success as an interior design professional. Marie remains involved and supports small business owners as the current President of Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce. She also maintains her strong values as a seasoned professional by serving on the regional Better Business Bureau Board of Directors. Marie enjoys gardening, experimenting with new recipes, playing with her twin grandchildren and relaxing on the beaches of Cape Cod. |
Jamie Terral owns Workroom Creations by Jamie LLC. Encouraged by her husband and Susan Woodcock, she made her love for sewing and design, into a second career. Jamie is wife to her husband of 30+ years, mother to three wonderful children and Mimi to one granddaughter. Prior to launching her business, Jamie was a trial paralegal in Houston, Texas. She enjoyed the challenges of pretrial work during the energy and banking decline in the 80s, breast implant litigation through the 90s, and toxic mold, sick building suits in the early 2000s. Her career wound down working for a boutique securities firm, on an as-needed-basis. Once retired, Jamie directed her energy to dozens of home decor projects. Because of their unique use of textiles, she was inspired by Designers Sarah Richardson and Candice Olson, of HGTV-fame. However, duplicating their designs was not within her budget, so she learned to sew home decor, do simple upholstery, repair and texture drywall, cut and install crown molding, paint, lay tile, and install wood flooring--all from books, blogs and YouTube! Through all the projects, she discovered her passion was sewing home decor and found Workroom Tech and Home Dec Gal. During a 3-day class at Workroom Tech, Jamie gained the confidence to open her workroom. However, opening a workroom is not just a sewing machine and a pair of scissors! Jamie continues her education with podcasts, webinars, virtual courses, meetings with the Houston Area Custom Drapery Association, and annual conferences like the Custom Workroom Conference & Marketplace and the IWCE virtual events. Jamie is a member of the National and Virtual Chapters of the WCAA, Pro Plus Member of the Curtains & Soft Furnishings Resource Library, My Designer Concierge, and the Workroom Accountability and Mentoring Group ("WAM"). Jamie's mantra is "So Much Fabric, Sew Little Time!" |
Hi! I am Susan Sousa and I grew up in the suburbs of Long Island, NY and after finishing high school, went to the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. I was petrified to go to school in the big city, but found I really loved the whole atmosphere of being in the fashion world and the city! When I landed a job as an assistant designer in a children’s wear firm in the garment center, I had no idea what my future held for me. I met my future husband when I went on vacation to Bermuda, which is where I moved after we married. How fortunate is that? However, since there weren’t any jobs in fashion design, I worked as a Facilities Administrator in an insurance company for years. I really missed working with fabrics though and making clothes and pattern drafting. It was my good fortune to find Workroom Tech online and thought it would be fun to take a few classes – something different than the insurance industry. The knowledge and skills I learned in patternmaking for clothing has transferred seamlessly while drafting window treatments. In 2019, I opened “Fathom” desiring to focus primarily on marine projects. As I have waded into the business, I am doing very little marine work but am able to use the knowledge I gained in the classes I took at Workroom Tech by providing clients with drapes, roman shades, pillows, and cushions. I look forward to moving back to the US once I retire and will open another workroom with a new name. |
