Not Just a Business, a Lifestyle

If there's one thing Lynne St. Angelo has learned about running a business, it's that it's more than just a job. It's a lifestyle.

St. Angelo, a lifelong Hopatcong resident, has owned since 1996. Located a quarter of a mile from Lake Hopatcong, Needles & Pins Alterations is nestled off of River Styx Road near Hudson Maxim elementary school.

Patch recently spoke with St. Angelo about her business—from its beginnings to her sewing abilities.

What's the best part about owning a business in Hopatcong?

Getting to meet and enjoy the rest of the citizens and having an ongoing working relationship with the community. I would say (my relationship with the community) solidified almost immediately because I'm a longtime resident. I grew up in Hopatcong. I already had the business in my home and had an established clientele. So it just flourished from there.

What's the biggest lesson running a business has taught you?

It requires many more hours than just 9 to 5. It's at least a double regular work schedule. If you're not working on your business, you're thinking about your business. There's always something going on in your head about how to make it grow and what improvements to make.

How did you get into sewing?

I've been sewing since I was a child. I started learning how to sow when I was 5 or 6 years old. I started making my own clothes and learning from my mom, who was tailor. She had a sewing business in the house when I was growing up. And then I just continued learning on my own from there.

What's something people wouldn't know about running a sewing business?

So many people say, "I could just do it myself," but you really have to know how clothes are constructed. It's not just about running a straight line on your sewing machine. You have to understand how clothes are constructed, how fabric moves and stuff like that in order to be really good. I think anybody who is doing something with their hands, there's always some growth. Maybe a way to make something faster, make something more efficient. Learn a little inside trick of how to make something work. Any craft is always still growing and improving. I can't say that I know it all because I don't.

What do you do for fun?

Spending time with my children. When I'm not running this business, I turn into a mom. I have four children.