[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 3 (Monday, January 8, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S15]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING TILLIES QUILTS

 Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week it is my privilege to recognize 
Tillies Quilts of Fort Dodge, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the 
Week.
  Driven by her dream of owning her own quilt shop, Jo Seltz founded 
Tillies Quilts in 2011 to serve both expert and novice quilters in Fort 
Dodge and the surrounding communities. Jo and her husband Rich are 
staples of the Fort Dodge community, with the couple also owning the 
Dariette ice cream shop since 2008 and Ardys Mae Coffee and Dessert 
since 2022.
  Prior to opening Tillies Quilts, Jo spent over a decade as the youth 
director at St. Paul Lutheran Church from 1999 until 2010. Jo left her 
position at St. Paul Lutheran Church to focus on Tillies Quilts, aptly 
named after her Great Aunt Matilda ``Tillie'' Jacobs, who gifted Jo her 
first quilt. Tillies Quilts is a one-stop-shop for all of your quilting 
needs. They offer designer fabrics and patterns, quilt kits, quilt 
supplies, and quilting classes. Tillies Quilts also offers a block of 
the month club and hosts various social events. In February 2024, 
Tillies Quilts will host their Super Bowl Sunday quilting class where 
participants will make a 16-inch by 16-inch quilt block.
  In addition to owning Tillies Quilts, Jo and Rich Seltz are actively 
involved in the Fort Dodge community. Jo currently serves as the 
president of the Blanden Charitable Foundation board of trustees, an 
organization promoting the Blanden Art Museum in Fort Dodge. Jo also 
serves as a trustee on the Ann Smeltzer Charitable Trust, which 
promotes community involvement in the arts and preserves Fort Dodge's 
historic Ringland-Smeltzer home. Despite no longer serving as youth 
director, Jo has remained involved in the St. Paul Lutheran Church over 
the years. Tillies Quilts is a proud member of the Greater Fort Dodge 
Growth Alliance, and in 2023, the team celebrated their 12th business 
anniversary. Great Aunt Matilda ``Tillie'' Jacobs passed away in 1994, 
but her legacy of hard work, kindness, and passion for quilting is 
honored at Tillies Quilts.
  I want to congratulate Jo and Rich Seltz and the entire team at 
Tillies Quilts for their entrepreneurial spirit and diligent efforts to 
build a community for quilters in central Iowa. I look forward to 
seeing their continued growth and success.

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