Illness forces Owen woman to consider, start new business

By MAGGIE WILLIAMS
reporter@owentonnewsherald.com

When Jamie Osborne was diagnosed with Soldiers Heart six years ago, it came as a relief to finally put a name to her condition. Formerly a teacher, Osborne was experiencing chest pains, dizziness and difficulty walking which finally forced her to quit her job and submit to round after round of medical tests.
Through all of this, however, Osborne maintained a positive outlook and is now embarking on a new career path as owner and operator of Embroidery Expressions, a custom embroidery business based in Owen County.
Her husband, Jesse Osborne II, first approached Jamie with the idea of an embroidery business after speaking to their neighbor, Jimmy Coyle.
“Jimmy and my husband discussed the fact that I enjoyed the creative aspects of teaching and I have a working knowledge of computers,” Osborne said. She served as the Stamping Grounds School Technology Coordinator before being offered her first teaching position at Mason Corinth.
Osborne met with her rehabilitation specialist about the business prospect and she suggested Osborne apply for a grant through the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. With a commercial embroidery machine running approximately $12,000, Osborne knew she and her husband would require financial support.
One very detailed business plan and one and one-half years later, Osborne received the necessary funding and her equipment arrived in March.
Embroidery Expressions uses top-of-the-line equipment to provide high-quality services for businesses, churches, schools, organizations or individual buyers. Because of low overhead costs, Osborne is able to offer competitive prices and provides all customers with a sample sew-out of their design prior to final embroidery on goods.
“Every job is important,” Osborne said, “and personal attention will be given to each customer regardless of job size.”
For more information regarding services or to receive a job quote, contact Embroidery Expressions at (502) 535-6733 or e-mail Jamie Osborne at josborne35@msn.com. A variety of catalogs are available from which to choose items in all price ranges.