My sister Gina and I have been collaborating for years. We collaborated as children, as new moms, as gardeners, as quilters, as care givers for our dying sister and brother. When Gina moved back to Kansas five years ago, we began to work together to build a business.
Our collaboration did not evolve from a common goal. The goal simply emerged as we spent hours quilting together, dreaming together and taking endless notes during our conversations. The process was much like the way we created quilt
s. One thing led to another. A color, a word or memory, a smell, one texture paired with an image or a glimpse out a window evolved into the building-a-business idea.
That kernel of an idea began to grow when it bumped up against another bigger need. We were scattered; we needed a “container” to house our ideas and enthusiasm. Perhaps we could turn the farm’s tractor shed into a studio. We shared the idea with my husband who did just that. The tractor, the boxes, the tackle, the roll of carpet, the collection of brooms even the restored Model A Ford found other homes. Electricity, insulation, sheet rock, windows, cabinets, heating and air and the artistry of carpentry made that dusty, oily building into our business home base. The home base, which we call the North Store, was just the “soil” we needed to plant our business: Kellogg Sisters Feed and Seed.
Once we were settled in our North Store, the ideas “rained” down. We created EXPERIENCES: Journal Quilting workshops, a Big Deep Breath, the Amy Kellogg Artist Residency. Our idea of selling ready made products grew into our SHOP: co-creation process. My sister and her daughter created the BRING ON YOUR BRAVERY learning opportunity. And on and on.
We credit the launch of our business to nourishment from sisters, brothers, nephews, nieces, cousins, our children, loves, neighbors and close friends. We are indebted as well to our Stewards, our business associates, who have given time with the hope that our business will fly. Just like we have been supported by others, we look forward to nourishing, creating with and learning from you our customers. We look forward to giving back, creating community and bringing beauty to the world.
And the two chickens? Our first co-created quilt, made for a nephew, included two huge quirky chickens clucking at each other and welcoming our sweet baby into the fold. Those two chickens started it all!
Welcome to our collaboration! Let our ideas bump up against each other. Let our work together disrupt the familiar