Taking the reins of an established business comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. In this episode of Stir, Aginto’s Chris Williams sits down with Zachary Davy, owner of Say It With Stitches in downtown Sarasota, to explore what it takes to buy an existing company, navigate growth, and build the flexible lifestyle of an entrepreneur. From mastering customer relationships to letting go of operational control, Zachary’s seven-year journey offers valuable lessons for anyone considering the leap into ownership.
Buying In, Learning Fast
When Zachary acquired Say It With Stitches in 2015, the storefront was already humming—but sales weren’t his strong suit. “In hospitality, all the sales were done for you,” he explains. “Here, I learned that sales are just talking to people, telling them what you do, and building relationships.” With his background in guest services, he embraced the “client” mindset—preferring partnerships over transactions—and built on existing clientele while forging his own network.
A Strategic Move Downtown
Originally on the busy Tamiami Trail, Zachary’s shop thrived on traffic but lacked local community engagement. When his former landlord sold the building, he seized the opportunity to relocate downtown during the pandemic. “Orange Avenue’s zip code boosted our Google Maps visibility,” he says, noting a surge in walk-in inquiries and a wave of new small businesses seeking custom apparel. Downtown’s vibrant scene aligned perfectly with Say It With Stitches’ growth trajectory.
Balancing Family and Flexibility
Entrepreneurship’s greatest perk? Flexibility. With his daughter arriving amid pandemic upheaval, Zachary became primary caregiver and chief stitcher. “She ran the shop,” he laughs, referring to midday bottle feeds and diaper changes. Crafting a schedule around her needs, he blended fatherhood with full-time business management—and reaffirmed why he’d never return to a traditional nine-to-five.
Mastering Processes—and Letting Go
Precision in turnaround times set Say It With Stitches apart. Zachary honed each service’s workflow—from vector file prep for screen printing to embroidery setup—to reliably deliver orders within two weeks. Yet his biggest internal hurdle was ego: trusting new hires to uphold his exacting standards. The pandemic pushed him to delegate, and as he loosened the reins, the operation’s capacity and his own bandwidth grew.
Growing with an Eye on Impact
Looking ahead, Zachary plans to expand his team—bringing on more creatives like his colleague Giuseppe, whose artistic eye elevates every design. Beyond apparel, he’s launched a coaching arm focused on business mindset and resilience, helping owners pivot past pandemic paralysis into revenue-driving action. His vision: a dual brand that outfits teams and empowers entrepreneurs with both products and perspective.
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Taking the reins of an established business comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. In this episode of Stir, Aginto’s Chris Williams sits down with Zachary Davy, owner of Say It With Stitches in downtown Sarasota, to explore what it takes to buy an existing company, navigate growth, and build the flexible lifestyle of an entrepreneur. From mastering customer relationships to letting go of operational control, Zachary’s seven-year journey offers valuable lessons for anyone considering the leap into ownership.
Buying In, Learning Fast
When Zachary acquired Say It With Stitches in 2015, the storefront was already humming—but sales weren’t his strong suit. “In hospitality, all the sales were done for you,” he explains. “Here, I learned that sales are just talking to people, telling them what you do, and building relationships.” With his background in guest services, he embraced the “client” mindset—preferring partnerships over transactions—and built on existing clientele while forging his own network.
A Strategic Move Downtown
Originally on the busy Tamiami Trail, Zachary’s shop thrived on traffic but lacked local community engagement. When his former landlord sold the building, he seized the opportunity to relocate downtown during the pandemic. “Orange Avenue’s zip code boosted our Google Maps visibility,” he says, noting a surge in walk-in inquiries and a wave of new small businesses seeking custom apparel. Downtown’s vibrant scene aligned perfectly with Say It With Stitches’ growth trajectory.
Balancing Family and Flexibility
Entrepreneurship’s greatest perk? Flexibility. With his daughter arriving amid pandemic upheaval, Zachary became primary caregiver and chief stitcher. “She ran the shop,” he laughs, referring to midday bottle feeds and diaper changes. Crafting a schedule around her needs, he blended fatherhood with full-time business management—and reaffirmed why he’d never return to a traditional nine-to-five.
Mastering Processes—and Letting Go
Precision in turnaround times set Say It With Stitches apart. Zachary honed each service’s workflow—from vector file prep for screen printing to embroidery setup—to reliably deliver orders within two weeks. Yet his biggest internal hurdle was ego: trusting new hires to uphold his exacting standards. The pandemic pushed him to delegate, and as he loosened the reins, the operation’s capacity and his own bandwidth grew.
Growing with an Eye on Impact
Looking ahead, Zachary plans to expand his team—bringing on more creatives like his colleague Giuseppe, whose artistic eye elevates every design. Beyond apparel, he’s launched a coaching arm focused on business mindset and resilience, helping owners pivot past pandemic paralysis into revenue-driving action. His vision: a dual brand that outfits teams and empowers entrepreneurs with both products and perspective.
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