By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

One of the most difficult initiatives in business is starting a new enterprise and turning it into a success. Few small businesses are able to get off the ground. But Vera Abbott has been making it work from her home for 18 years — continuing what she started in 1969.

“I didn’t know anything about monogramming,” Abbott said. But that was before she took up the task at Leon’s, the ladies’ clothing store where she was employed.

“It was really hard to learn,” Abbott said. “It was on a free-hand machine.”

Abbott worked monogramming at Leon’s for about 25 years, upgrading to a manual machine in 1980 to accommodate demand.

“I was working long hours,” Abbott said. “I would take a whole lot home with me and stamp them at night and then bring them back the next day and monogram them.

“(My husband) had to drop me off about 7:30 (a.m.) at Leon’s. I’d go on in and clock in — they give me a key — and I would clock in and go on in and start to work two hours before the store opened.”

Abbott said people would bring in everything from sweaters to fur coats to get their initials and names affixed by monogramming.

“For 25 years I was the only one in town who did monogram for the public,” Abbott said.

When Leon’s closed in 1993, the company sold the monogram machines to various people. Abbott promptly bought them from their new owners. Although she’s also purchased a more high-tech machine, she said she still prefers the old Meistergram she’s been working on for years — and most of her customers prefer it, as well.

“They’ve been discontinued … but it still does a fine job of monogramming,” Abbott said, adding she believes she’s the only person in Selma who has one.

Or, the only person in Selma who has three — two of which she uses for spare parts. The one she now uses in her home cost $400 when she purchased it in 1993.

“My son said, ‘Mama, it’ll take you 20 years to get your investment back,’” Abbot said. “So the first day I did $113 in one day, took off for lunch and finished up by 4 o’clock, I had to call him and rag him.”

Abbott said her business has been successful and profitable, but she’s experienced a downturn in recent years.

“Hopefully it’ll pull up and do better,” Abbott said. “Things go in cycles.”

Because she has been in the business for so long, Abbot said she has a low overhead. A monogram costs $4.

“Most of what I do is towels or baby items,” Abbott said. “Very few people get a monogram for themselves. They do it for gifts.”

With multiple letter styles and thread colors, Abbott is prepared to monogram shirts, bibs, pillowcases, towels and more. She said it’s a job she enjoys, and a job that’s good for her — it keeps her mind and body active.

“I just like it,” Abbott said. “I always have.”

Abbott’s business hours are 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday at 320 Selma Ave. — officially, at least.

“I always tell my customers, you’re welcome to stop by any time except Sunday,” Abbott said. “As long as they see my car here, I’ll probably be here.”

While Abbott has her busy times and her not-so-busy times, it’s clear her business has stood the test of time.

“Others have come and gone, but I’m here to stay.”