We’re delighted to introduce our November Mom of the Month, Maggie Sumner — mom of two, creative entrepreneur, and the talented hands behind The Stitch Studio. What began as a small side project during nap times has grown into a thriving embroidery business rooted in love, purpose, and connection. Maggie’s story is one of balancing motherhood with creativity, showing how passion can blossom beautifully right from home.
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Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
Hi, I’m Maggie Sumner! I grew up in Stilwell, KS and I now live in Baldwin City with my husband, Alex, and our two kids: Trace (2.5) and Navy (14 months). Trace keeps us busy with anything that has wheels or involves dirt, and Navy chases after him! When I’m not chasing the 2 of them around or working on orders, I love to read a book or binge a Netflix show! I love a good murder mystery or a rom com. I was an RN for 7 years before I stepped away to stay home with my babies. We love spending weekends outside, whether it’s at home or at our Ozarks house!
What inspired you to start your business (or get into your field)?
I’ve always loved creating meaningful, personal things for people, and embroidery felt like the perfect mix of creativity and heart. I started “Stitched by Maggie” as a small side project during nap times as I transitioned to a stay at home mom, just making gifts for friends and family. Over time, it grew into something so much bigger & I have recently rebranded to “The Stitch Studio”. The idea that a simple monogram or custom stitch can make someone’s day or mark a special moment inspires me to keep creating!
What does a typical day look like for you as a mom and business owner?
Most days start early — usually with an iced coffee or matcha and a toddler asking for snacks before sunrise. I try to tackle business tasks like packing orders or responding to messages while the kids are napping— but truthfully, I am still figuring out the work-life balance when work is at home! Both of my kiddos go to daycare 3x a week and I use those days to fully commit to my business. I spend the other days with them keeping them entertained and catching up on house chores! It’s full mom mode until bedtime & some nights that means stitching late into the night! My husband travels for work often and is sometimes gone for days/ weeks/ months at a time — which adds an extra level of complexity to my days & nights! Every day looks a little different, but that’s part of the beauty (and challenge) of it!
What has been the most rewarding part of running your business?
The most rewarding part has been seeing something I created with my own hands bring joy to others. When customers share photos of their little ones in something I’ve stitched, it’s the best feeling. It’s also pretty cool to see someone wearing something I have made while I am out & about in the community. I also love being able to raise my kids to see what it means to work hard and build something from scratch. They are growing up watching their mom creating, learning, and growing right in front of them!
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What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and how do you handle them?
Balancing both roles is definitely a daily juggling act. The hardest part is feeling like I’m being pulled in two directions — wanting to give 100% to my kids / my husband and 100% to my business! I’ve learned to give myself grace and accept that not every day will go perfectly. I set small goals, take breaks when I need to, and remind myself I can’t do everything (as much as I want to!) Thankfully, I have the best customers who always understand that I am a mom first! Some days are messy, but they’re also full of meaning and we are always learning over here!
What advice would you give to other moms thinking about starting their own business?
Start small. You don’t have to have everything figured out on day 1– just start. You’ll learn so much as you go. Also, don’t compare your pace to anyone else’s.
Progress can be slow, but it’s still progress. Find something that genuinely lights you up, and build it around your life, not the other way around. And most importantly, give yourself grace — your business doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be a success!
How do you and your family like to spend time together when you’re not working?
We love doing simple things together — anything that gets us outside or lets us slow down as a family. That might be exploring local spots, playing in the backyard, or having Saturday morning errand runs! When we’re home, we love living room dance parties, a big weekend breakfast, and just being together without a set schedule. Those slow, in-between moments are my favorite. In the summer you can almost always find us enjoying the lake with my parents!
My kids love playing beside me while I work. Trace likes to help me “work” on my machines with his tools, while Navy steals the thread spools I leave laying around. Sometimes there’s more giggling than stitching, but those moments remind me exactly why I started this business in the first place — to create, to be present, and to build something meaningful right in the middle of motherhood.
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Follow Maggie Summer's journey and learn more about The Stitch Studio:
💼 The Stitch Studio
📍 Location: Based out of Baldwin City, KS
🌐 Website: www.shopthestitchstudio.com
📸 Instagram: @shopthestitchstudio
Maggie, thank you for sharing your creativity, warmth, and the heart you stitch into everything you do. You’re an inspiration to moms everywhere—proving that building a business doesn’t mean sacrificing motherhood, but celebrating it.
💬 Know a local mom who deserves the spotlight?
Know a mom who deserves the spotlight (including yourself)? Nominate her by emailing brittanym@macaronikid.com or filling out the form below. This is all about uplifting and connecting women who are doing amazing things—both at home and in the community.
