Since 2023, Kelly Strong has served as the president, owner, and chief executive officer of The Quilted Bee LLC in Monticello, Indiana. She opened the sewing supply store in the loving memory of her mother, Gigi, who passed on her love of sewing to her daughter. Ms. Strong holds particular expertise in fabric curation, utilizing her skills in discerning the texture, pattern, and quality of material. At The Quilted Bee, her husband manages the store during the daytime. Ms. Strong assumes her position starting at 3 p.m., when her responsibilities include attending to customers, handling financial transactions, researching patterns, and coordinating inventory orders, among numerous other duties. Recently, The Quilted Bee became a shop to serve Quilts of Valor, which produces quilts for veterans.
Ms. Strong attended Indiana Business College and graduated with an associate degree in medical coding and medical billing in 2008. In addition to her formal degrees, she is a certified professional coder through the American Academy of Professional Coders. Since 2014, Ms. Strong has employed her expertise in medical coding with Indiana University Health. Prior to this role, she was an administrative assistant with the Niagara Peninsula Children’s Centre from 1977 to 2004 and a contract administration clerk for The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation from 1984 to 2002. Dedicated to giving back to her community, Ms. Strong donates to the White County Shrine Club and the White County Aging Center through her business. For her contributions, she received a certificate of appreciation.
As an ardent proponent of family and community values, Ms. Strong is committed to having a positive impact on the world and helping individuals facing challenges. Among the services offered by The Quilted Bee, the business provides quilting space and supplies to customers. Ms. Strong considers launching her business to be a noteworthy entrepreneurial achievement, as she spent two years conducting market research and learning how to organize a business. In the future, she hopes to establish a retreat center catered to crafters and scrapbookers. Ms. Strong believes the center will deliver value to both the community and the broader quilting industry.