Faith in Fabric: How Susan Pilchard Weaves Purpose into Pilchard Designs

Weaving Faith and Purpose into Pilchard Designs

In the bustling landscape of business, where deadlines loom and decisions weigh heavy, Susan Pilchard, founder of Pilchard Designs, Inc., stands as a testament to the transformative power of faith-integrated leadership. Her journey, spanning 38 years, is not just a tale of entrepreneurial success but a profound narrative of how unwavering faith can illuminate the path through challenges, shape ethical practices, and foster a thriving, family-like work environment.

Susan’s foray into the world of high-end drapery and upholstery began not with a grand business plan, but with a personal need. Faced with an exorbitant quote for window treatments in her new Washington D.C. home in 1986, she decided to take matters into her own hands. “I told my husband I was going to do it myself,” she recounts, despite his skepticism about “loving hands at home” creations. What started as a DIY project, fueled by necessity, blossomed into a full-fledged business after her work was published, leading to her second job and the genesis of Pilchard Designs. Today, her company, a workroom to the trade, boasts a team of six seamstresses, two upholsterers, and two installers, serving high-end interior designers across the United States and even internationally, with projects spanning from the White House to luxurious locales like France, London, and Cabo San Lucas.

Faith as the Foundation of Leadership

At the heart of Susan’s leadership philosophy is a deep-seated faith that permeates every aspect of her business. When faced with the inevitable anxieties of slow periods or economic downturns, she leans on Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” This scripture serves as a constant reminder that “God holds you in the cup of his hand and… as long as you're doing your life the way you're supposed to live it and you're being faithful and good… God provides.” This unwavering trust in divine provision has been a cornerstone of her resilience, allowing her to navigate market fluctuations with a calm assurance that things will always turn around.

Integrating faith values into business practices, however, is not without its challenges. Susan vividly recalls a pivotal moment when her eight-year-old daughter, Kelly, confronted her about her harsh reaction to a seamstress’s costly mistake. “Mom, you can’t talk to people like that,” Kelly admonished, pointing out that her anger was scaring employees who didn’t fully understand English. This humbling encounter, coming from her young daughter, was a profound lesson in humility and compassion. It taught Susan the importance of treating her employees with respect and understanding, fostering an environment where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, not grounds for humiliation. This incident solidified her commitment to biblical principles of treating others as you would want to be treated, transforming her leadership style from one driven by frustration to one rooted in empathy and grace.

Faith in Client Relationships

This same principle extends to her client relationships. Susan emphasizes that patience and a service-oriented mindset are paramount. “When a mistake is made or when there’s a problem, you need to be able to say, this is our mistake, this is our problem, we will take care of it. Not tomorrow, not next week, we’ll take care of it today.” She recounts a recent instance where a designer, not even a direct client, brought in fabric from another workroom that had an issue. Despite having no obligation, Susan offered her expertise, identified the problem (a printing error, not the workroom’s fault), and even offered to ship the fabric back to the manufacturer. This act of selfless service, born out of a desire to help and build trust, exemplifies her faith-driven approach to client care, fostering loyalty that is rare in her industry.

Harvesting Integrity: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping

Beyond Isaiah 41:10, Susan’s business is deeply influenced by the principle of “you reap what you sow.” This understanding reinforces her commitment to ethical practices, fair treatment of employees, and exceptional customer service, knowing that these actions will ultimately yield positive returns. Her journey underscores that true success is not just about profit margins, but about building a legacy of integrity and compassion.

If Susan could mentor her 21-year-old self, her primary advice would be to “be patient.” She reflects on the impatience of youth, the desire for immediate gratification, and the tendency to focus inward. “When you’re 20, you think, no, I want it now… Nobody appreciates me and nobody understands me.” Her wisdom for her younger self, and indeed for all aspiring leaders, is that “when you make it more of it other people, everything just will come to you.” This shift from self-focus to serving others, she believes, is the key to a blossoming life and career.

Daily Faith Practices for Professional Growth

Reflecting on her career, Susan wishes she had understood earlier the profound impact of a daily faith practice. It wasn't until a difficult divorce later in life that she truly embraced starting each day with God. “If you will start your day with a positive thought and with being grateful for whatever comes your way, you will find… your whole day will turn around.” She recommends utilizing a Bible app for daily readings, a practice that brings her peace and reminds her of God’s presence and provision, even on challenging days. This simple yet powerful habit, she believes, is essential for grounding oneself and navigating the stresses of business with a faithful perspective.

For believers seeking to authentically integrate their faith into their professional lives, Susan offers practical advice: “Get an app on your phone that you open it every day and there’s a Bible reading.” This consistent engagement with scripture, she asserts, helps to reframe challenges, cultivate gratitude, and approach each day with a renewed sense of purpose and trust in God’s plan. Her journey with Pilchard Designs, Inc. is a living testament to the fact that faith is not just a personal conviction, but a powerful catalyst for transformational leadership and enduring success in the marketplace.