Kim Newell has owned Kim’s Upholstery Shop in the Lafayette, Indiana, area since 1999. After learning to sew and make custom slipcovers from her grandmother, Kim developed her skills through extensive study, online courses, one-on-one instruction with master upholsterers, and decades of hands-on experience. She served on the founding board of the National Upholstery Association in 2019 and as its vice president through 2025. Kim is dedicated to advancing upholstery education in the United States and preserving traditional techniques, particularly methods that incorporate sustainable, organic materials.