Episode #29: Building an Inclusive Sewing Pattern Business with Intention with Lily Fong
October 27, 2026
Click to watch on YouTube.
She Built a Successful Sewing Business, but the Long Hours Came at a Cost
Episode Summary
What happens when the business you've worked so hard to build finally gives you the freedom to slow down, but you've become accustomed to doing everything yourself?
In this episode of The Building Well Podcast, Amanda Magho sits down with Lily, founder of Lily Pad Designs, to explore what it looks like to build a business around something you love while raising a family, protecting your health, and learning to define success on your own terms.
Lily has spent nearly three decades sewing and approximately eight years building a business specializing in inclusive lingerie sewing patterns. What began with a personal struggle to find a comfortable, well-fitting bra became an opportunity to help others create garments designed for their own bodies.
But growing that business came with challenges that had little to do with sewing.
Between caring for her three children, managing customers, developing patterns, and handling the responsibilities of running a small business, Lily found herself working late into the night and sacrificing much of her personal time. Eventually, she began questioning whether continued growth was worth the pace she was maintaining.
Amanda and Lily discuss the conversations that helped shift responsibilities at home, the difficulty of asking for help when you're used to being independent, and why Lily is now comfortable with slower business growth if it means having more time for her family, friends, and health.
They also explore the business decisions behind Lily Pad Designs, from growing through word of mouth to expanding into inclusive everyday clothing patterns. For sewing enthusiasts, Lily shares practical encouragement for finding time to create, even when life only allows ten minutes at a time.
This conversation is a reminder that building something meaningful doesn't always require doing more. Sometimes it means deciding what you want your business to make possible outside of work.
3 Key Takeaways
Success Can Look Different After Years of Building
Lily once spent 12 to 16 hours a day working, but her priorities have shifted toward having time for her children, friendships, and personal health. Although her business may not be growing as quickly as it did previously, she recognizes the value of a pace she can maintain. Her experience challenges the idea that increasing revenue should always be the primary measure of entrepreneurial success.
Asking for Help Is a Skill You Can Learn
As someone raised to be independent and figure things out herself, Lily found it difficult to ask others to share responsibilities. Having direct conversations with her husband about school pickups, meals, and family logistics helped her recognize that she didn't have to carry everything alone. Her story highlights how changing the way a household operates can be just as important as changing business systems.
Progress Doesn't Have to Happen All at Once
Whether she's making incremental improvements to her business or encouraging busy parents to sew in ten-minute sessions, Lily believes meaningful progress can happen in small steps. Her approach leaves room for responsibilities, unexpected interruptions, and changing seasons of life. It also removes some of the pressure to move at the same pace as everyone else.
Guest Bio
Lily is the founder of Lily Pad Designs, a sewing pattern business specializing in size-inclusive lingerie designs. With approximately 30 years of sewing experience and a background in business and education, she combines technical garment design with a passion for helping others create clothing that fits their individual bodies.
Her work includes lingerie sewing patterns covering an extensive range of sizes, and she is expanding into everyday clothing patterns with similarly inclusive sizing. In addition to designing patterns, Lily has taught sewing through educational events and retreats, including an international retreat in Scotland.
A mother of three boys, Lily brings a personal perspective to entrepreneurship, particularly the challenges of balancing family responsibilities, creative work, and the demands of running a business.
Resources Mentioned In This Episode
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