Aurora business personalizes lifestyles
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August 26, 2020
Heather Newton and Phil Clark; Owners of Ozark Rustic Livings. Find them on Facebook
Sheila Harris
Heather Newton and Philip Clark, of Aurora, label their new business a “lifestyle company.”
“With our custom embroidery, screen-sprinting and sewing capabilities, we’re personalizing lifestyles for businesses and individuals,” Newton explained.
The duo, who purchased the business in June, then changed the name to Ozarks Rustic Living, are excited to expand their services beyond what the previous owner had offered in the same location on the west side of the square in Aurora.
Newton, who had operated the business from her home for the past four years as a sideline to her full time position as a science teacher at Verona High School, discovered, quite by accident, that previous owner, Carla Francisco was looking for a buyer.
“I sent my husband Earl in to inquire about some thread for face masks and he came back with the news the business was for sale,” Newton said. “I immediately contacted my brother-in-law, Phil, because I knew he’d been looking for an investment opportunity, and we were able to swing the deal to purchase Carla’s business. In fact, Carla was looking for a particular type of buyer: someone who would essentially take up the business where she left off.”
Phil Clark, who moved to Aurora from Colorado, installed floor-covering in his previous life.
“The only stitching I’d done before running this four-station embroidery machine was sewing two pieces of carpet together by hand,” he said.
Newton calls Clark the business’s “freehand specialist.”
“Phil can draw any design by hand,” she said. “I’m a graphic artist and create digital designs. We work together to make whatever a customer wants, in whatever quantity they want. We’re not just a cookie-cutter business. We personalize your lifestyle.”
Newton, who has degrees in art and education, also has a certificate in Print Technology, which she puts to full use.
In addition to custom embroidery, Ozarks Rustic Living offers printing using high-grade vinyl on cloth, in which the vinyl is actually infused into the cloth, leaving no raised surface.
Sewing is another of Newton’s specialties.
“I can make items from scratch, or make alterations as required,” she said.
A unique service she offers is “mobile-tailoring.”
“Mobile tailoring comes in really handy for weddings,” Newton said. “I make myself available to be an onsite seamstress for your wedding, just in case there’s a need for emergency alterations or repairs.”
Newton and Clark are currently filling orders coming in from around the world, as well as from local customers.
“We’re committed to quality,” Newton said. “We stand behind our work. We want our customers to be satisfied.”
The front room of their business, located at 321 S. Madison, Aurora, contains the booths of local artisans, with gift items ranging from handcrafted jewelry to items made with alpaca wool. There is no additional charge for gift-wrapping.
Newton also sells a line of essential oils and goat’s milk soaps which she makes onsite.
According to Newton, the business plans to expand to a full time print shop in the near future.
They are an authorized Carlson Craft retailer.
They may be reached by telephone at 417-678-6714, online at www.ozarkrusticlivingllc.com.
Heather Newton and Philip Clark, of Aurora, label their new business a “lifestyle company.”
“With our custom embroidery, screen-sprinting and sewing capabilities, we’re personalizing lifestyles for businesses and individuals,” Newton explained.
The duo, who purchased the business in June, then changed the name to Ozarks Rustic Living, are excited to expand their services beyond what the previous owner had offered in the same location on the west side of the square in Aurora.
Newton, who had operated the business from her home for the past four years as a sideline to her full time position as a science teacher at Verona High School, discovered, quite by accident, that previous owner, Carla Francisco was looking for a buyer.
“I sent my husband Earl in to inquire about some thread for face masks and he came back with the news the business was for sale,” Newton said. “I immediately contacted my brother-in-law, Phil, because I knew he’d been looking for an investment opportunity, and we were able to swing the deal to purchase Carla’s business. In fact, Carla was looking for a particular type of buyer: someone who would essentially take up the business where she left off.”
Phil Clark, who moved to Aurora from Colorado, installed floor-covering in his previous life.
“The only stitching I’d done before running this four-station embroidery machine was sewing two pieces of carpet together by hand,” he said.
Newton calls Clark the business’s “freehand specialist.”
“Phil can draw any design by hand,” she said. “I’m a graphic artist and create digital designs. We work together to make whatever a customer wants, in whatever quantity they want. We’re not just a cookie-cutter business. We personalize your lifestyle.”
Newton, who has degrees in art and education, also has a certificate in Print Technology, which she puts to full use.
In addition to custom embroidery, Ozarks Rustic Living offers printing using high-grade vinyl on cloth, in which the vinyl is actually infused into the cloth, leaving no raised surface.
Sewing is another of Newton’s specialties.
“I can make items from scratch, or make alterations as required,” she said.
A unique service she offers is “mobile-tailoring.”
“Mobile tailoring comes in really handy for weddings,” Newton said. “I make myself available to be an onsite seamstress for your wedding, just in case there’s a need for emergency alterations or repairs.”
Newton and Clark are currently filling orders coming in from around the world, as well as from local customers.
“We’re committed to quality,” Newton said. “We stand behind our work. We want our customers to be satisfied.”
The front room of their business, located at 321 S. Madison, Aurora, contains the booths of local artisans, with gift items ranging from handcrafted jewelry to items made with alpaca wool. There is no additional charge for gift-wrapping.
Newton also sells a line of essential oils and goat’s milk soaps which she makes onsite.
According to Newton, the business plans to expand to a full time print shop in the near future.
They are an authorized Carlson Craft retailer.
They may be reached by telephone at 417-678-6714, online at www.ozarkrusticlivingllc.com.
Heather Newton begans running the four station embroidery machine at 3 a.m. on weekdays
