VIDEO: Empowering at-risk women, Weave Gotcha Covered founder reflects on journey

About 10 years ago, Kelly Wilson’s family was one of the many that was hit hard by the Great Recession.

A former stay at home mom, Wilson had to figure out a way to support her family. She eventually found a job at a local fabric store for $5 an hour, which was the minimum wage at the time.

“I realized at that point, that my life belonged to that store for that $5 an hour,” Wilson said. “One time my daughter called and she needed lunch money and I couldn’t leave to take it to her. It was really devastating to me as a mom to not be able to take care of my kids.”

As Wilson’s sewing skills improved, she began to dream up ways she could offer her expertise to the world while being able to care for her children.

In 2005, Wilson and her co-founder Lonnie Vanderslice, launched Weave Gotcha Covered. The firm specializes in the installation of custom window treatments, fabric furnishings and upholstery.

“We can do anything for the home, in terms of pillows, bedding, or custom window treatments,” Wilson said. “Basically, we’ll do anything related to a window and anything that’s fabric that you don’t wear.”

Weave Gotcha Covered has grown “exponentially” each year since, Wilson said. Now, the socially focused firm empowers underserved women by offering employment. The woman-owned business is committed to training women constrained by generational poverty, addiction, incarceration and other life-circumstances as they work to reclaim their lives through economic sustainability.

Currently, the sewing staff consists of 18 women, many of whom hail from Kansas City’s urban core.

“We are really passionate about being a champion of women,” Wilson said. “We help them in any way we can — through mentoring, job security, job placement and job training.”

Wilson said that Kansas City is an excellent place to build and grow a socially-conscious enterprise.

“There are so many free resources, it’s amazing,” Wilson said of Kansas City’s support for entrepreneurs. “You can get a complete free Master’s education in business if you ask enough questions. … If you want to start a business, Kansas City is the town to start it in. The entire community pulls together for everything.”

To learn more about Weave Gotcha Covered, watch the video below.