SD Designs Custom Embroidery

07/01/2025

I apologize for the gap in my posts concerning 5 Reasons I Started an Embroidery Business at 70 -- I have been preoccupied with making sure my mother has the best possible care in these last days of her life. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Let me just summarize the 5 Reasons -- Because:
1. I can
2. I love living
3. I love learning -- You are never too old to learn something new every day. As a matter of fact, the older I get, the more I realize how much I don't know.
4. I love to create and produce a quality product.
5. I love making a difference in people's lives -- My life's goal is to leave each life better than it was before my encounter with them.

Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to develop this page and strive to provide you with the highest quality embroidery possible.

06/28/2025

We believe that every business should have a commitment to help those in need within their community and sphere of influence. SD Designs is partnering with the Sons of the American Revolution in offering support to the homeless veterans and veterans at risk of losing their housing in the Evansville, IN metropolitan area in cooperation with the VA support group through the local VA Clinic.

The embroidery designs posted will be stitched on a shirt size you order with $10.00 of each shirt being donated for this cause. The cost is $35.00 (S-XL); $40.00 (XXL), $45.00 (###L). Reach out and help us help our veterans in need.

06/27/2025

5 Reasons for Starting an Embroidery Business at 70 (cont'd)

Welcome back!

I apologize for being so late in my continuing story. The reason is that my mom, who is 99, is entering into her last days on this earth. I have been preoccupied with her care and having to make sure she is being well cared for. So, our family would appreciate your prayers.

Actually, my #2 reason can be tied to how my mom impacted my life. It's because I love life and living life to the fullest measure. I learned that attitude from my mom. She taught me to never take life for granted. Life is too precious to squander and waste. Too many opportunities lie ahead.

Like you, my life has had its share of obstacles and challenges.

Like you, I have had to pay my share of "stupid tax" from situations of my own making.

Like you, I have failed with tremendous success.

Unlike most of you, I am not even supposed to be alive today. The reason is that I am a two-time survivor of esophageal cancer...the first time was in 2013 and the second was 2016.

What makes me the more unusual is that the statistical survival rate on the first go around with esophageal cancer is about 20% - which means that for every 100 people who had that type of cancer, only 20 of them were still alive after 5 years. The survival ratio after the second bout is 5% - which means that for every 100 people who go through it the second time, only 5 people live past the 5-year mark.

That's why my digestive care doctor expressed, "Dan, there is nothing normal about you."

So, what does this mean and how does it fit in with starting an embroidery business?
1. You cannot allow your life crisis (cancer, chronic illness, addiction, financial, relational, etc.) become the focal and defining point of your identity. You are much bigger and more important than that. If you allow your crisis to become what defines your life you will become discouraged, disgusted, and depressed. After a while, you become paralyzed by the power you allow it to have over you. You deserve better than that, even more, the people you love deserve better as well.

2. The faith to which I referred in my first post guided and anchored me. No matter how hard things got, I always met each day with a heart of appreciation for the gift each day brought. I never take a sunrise or sunset for granted. No matter what, I have always been cognizant of the presence of my God with and in me.

3. God doesn't pay attention to statistics. I would go for my regular checkups to the doctors (yep, I had a lot of them). After examining me I quite often heard, "You're doing a lot better than you're supposed to be! How do you account for that?"

My answer: My faith in Jesus (yeah, I'm one of "those"), prayer (I had people all over the world praying for me), and God's grace.

The doctor's response: Well, whatever you're doing, keep it up.

4. I believe God brought me out of the cancer simply because he had some things for me to do? So, I am committed to taking full advantage of every second and opportunity that come's my way.

How does this relate to starting an embroidery business at 70? I'll give you a clue, it's not the money.

Don't get me wrong, our goal is to make a profit and cushion our retirement years.

But that's not the primary driving force. The primary driving force of our business is to provide a quality product to the best of our ability. Why? Because Shirley and I feel strongly that providing a quality product at a fair price with a commitment to each customer's satisfaction is a way to communicate that every person we encounter and embroider for is worth our best. It is, in essence an expression of our faith and value of living and serving you.

So, next time you are wanting your business logo embroidered on a shirt, hat, bag, or even toilet paper (yup, we can do that), what kind of embroidery business would you like to have work for and with you?

SD Designs Custom Embroidery will help you communicate professionalism, trust, and quality to your current and prospective customers.

We are looking for individuals, business owners, small to medium businesses, sports teams, special events, and non-profits.

Send me a message through messenger or send me, Dan Risinger, an email: [email protected].

Tomorrow, Reason #3 I Love Learning (even when it hurts)

06/26/2025

06/26/2025

5 REASONS WHY I STARTED A NEW EMBROIDERY BUSINESS AT 70

"Why did you decide to start an embroidery business at YOUR age?" That's the question I am most asked when I am talking to people about SD Designs Custom Embroidery. What about MY age?

At the time, I was 70 (I'm not allowed to tell you how old my wife was - I'm six months older than she). Now, I'm 72 going on 50! At least, that's how I feel.

So why? There are 5 reasons for starting a brand-new embroidery business from scratch:

First, I did it "because I could." There have been times throughout my life experience that I have been told that I couldn't do something because I didn't have the skills, the know-how, or the intelligence. I am sure that some of you reading this have, at times, traveled down a similar road.

There are some things I have learned along the way. I am more versatile, creative, committed, and determined (hard-headed) than I had first given myself credit. I listened too often to the "nay sayers" and those who licked their chops in anticipation of being able to say, "I told you so..."

Honestly, I didn't want to give them the satisfaction.

Fortunately, I had mentors, confidence builders, coaches, and accountability partners who saw (and see) the value and the potential to be more than what and who I believed I was.

Additionally, I had a growing faith, not just in myself, but in my God. Yes, I am a man of faith. That was and still is the difference maker more than anything else.

Did I strike a familiar chord in your life experience? Hang with me over the next few days. Who knows, I might just provide a nugget you will find beneficial and useful.

Hey, this is more than about running a business and selling something for your business or personal benefit or enjoyment. This is also about helping you invest in and grow your life.

See you tomorrow! Find out why my digestive care doctor told me, "Dan, there is absolutely nothing normal about you!"

04/08/2025

Shirley and I (Dan) want to welcome you to our NEW S(hirley)/D(an) Designs Custom Embroidery page. So, what makes SD Designs a standout business?

1. Integrity--we will always be above board and honest in doing what we promise and at the price we agree.
2. Quality--If we wouldn't want to wear it, we don't want you to wear it. We are passionate about our quality!
3. Customer service and satisfaction--We acknowledge that we are responsible and accountable to our clients. You never have to pay for our mistakes.
4. Customer involvement--we welcome and encourage customer input in the process of designing and stitching what you want. We don't do the final embroidery until you approve the design.

We look forward to serving you!

Send a message to learn more