Meet Jackie Brunetti of ChairDo in Katy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jackie Brunetti.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been in the sewing business for 17 years and have been a sewing and reupholstery instructor for 10 years. I love to create, taking something old and transforming it to serve a fresh new purpose, especially old furniture makeovers. Teaching has always been my passion as well. The idea for ChairDo came about as a way that melds my creative passion with my teaching passion.

ChairDo is a sewing and reupholstery school that is set up to have a hands-on approach to training students to obtain skills through my expertise. We collaborate to make their creative ideas come to life. They share how they want their piece of furniture customized and I help them “make it happen”. Excitement and passion are contagious and I love to see it in my students.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It took a while to save the $5,000 to start my business, a small amount. I found an old beat up house, and I could see its full potential, but it needed lots of work. I lovingly reconditioned it without hiring contractors since money was short. My friends and family helped with this labor of love. I still smile as I fondly recall our late nights of hard work.

Many days I’d start early in the morning and some days I worked alone and other day’s friends or family would show up to help and those were the most wonderful of all. They gave me the burst of energy I needed to keep pushing forward. Even when I was exhausted I kept pushing to “make it happen!”

ChairDo – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
ChairDo is a sewing and reupholstery school where students get to bring in their own furniture. Many students have chairs that have passed through multiple generations of their family and have been waiting all their lives for an opportunity to restore it with their personal touch. Other students just love to purchase run-down furniture that needs a makeover.

I teach sewing and reupholstery fundamentals: of fabrics, materials, and design principles. Students learn the professional “tricks of the trade”. These are skills that can be applied to other projects the student may do after leaving the classes.

I’m very proud of my students work over the past year, so much that we are having a Chair Art Exhibition of some student’s chairs at our 1st year anniversary celebration where they are so happy to show their beautiful work.

I very proud of the fact that most of my students take multiple classes. “It’s addicting” they say!

ChairDo operates on the “open hour” idea where students buy hours of class that can be used flexibly any time the studio is open.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
My students love the joyful, intimate atmosphere and the wonderful friendships they build. Many of them have become my dearest friends and had a helping hand in bringing my ChairDo dream into reality!

I’m thrilled that several of my students are taking my classes to become professional upholsterer’s, it gives me great pleasure to know I have a part in their future.

I have students of all ages, 14 to 85. It was a great pleasure to learn that a grandfather and his grandson took my classes to restore a chair as a way to bond and have fun.

Some of the students drive over an hour each way from The Woodlands, Pearland, or other places.

Contact Info:

• Address: 5709 5th St
  Katy, TX 77493
• Website: ChairDo.com
• Phone: 281-574-0355 or 281-392-0446
• Email: jackie@chairdo.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChairDo-1578225342418120/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chairdo-katy-7

Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.