Texas Correspondent Rich Stops By.
Sue was born in Taiwan to a family of farmers where she learned her hard work ethic. She moved to the United States in 1984 with her husband and children.
While working at a Chinese restaurant a friend knew of an auto upholstery shop that was for sale, and after her friend saw the amazing work Sue had done on her husbands 1968 Grand Torino, he knew she was meant to do upholstery. Sue had always enjoyed making clothes for her children and herself so Sue’s friend encouraged Sue to talk over the venture with her husband and open up shop. The opportunity to step into the auto upholstery business was one of the best career moves Sue could have ever taken but honestly she never imagined that her hard work and dedication to her small business would grow into a well known upholstery force in the hot rod community, and local dealerships. Certainly, she would never have thought she would have fans from all over the world come to visit her.
ASM Auto Upholstery shop was born in 1990 in a 1000 square foot garage in no time flat Sue was in demand and knew It was time to expand to the 8800 square foot permanent home of ASM Auto Upholstery.
Sue is not the type of boss to just sit back and point her finger like some business owners do. Sue will actually get out into the shop and work side by side with her employees. Even during the blazing hot Texas summers you can see Sue installing a back seat or pulling off seat covers. Sue’s employees have told us that she has to be one of the most hands on and hardest working female business owners they have had the pleasure of knowing and working with. Sue has remained very humble and giving through her success and is exactly the same person that you see on TV as she is in person. Sue prides herself in her integrity and strict business practices. She is tough but kind, always fair, and firm and so incredibly funny. You never really know what to expect when she opens her mouth, she is definitely one of a kind and is always making time for her fans when they swing by the shop.
Sue strives for quality while delivering to her customers an efficient turn around time so her customers can get back into their vehicles as soon as possible. Sue believes that all the cars, trucks, motorcycle seats and boats that pass thru her garage doors are unique and no matter how big or small the job all of Sue’s clients get treated with the same respect and quality work.
Sue has had clients from all over the world ship her items. We recently completed a motorcycle seat for a gentleman from Whales. We also shipped 1958 Daimler Conquest custom seats to Herndon, Virginia. They always find time for Aunt Mable’s daily driver with the leaky convertible top that needs to be replaced too. At ASM there is no such thing as a job too small, or too big, they can handle it all.
You name it and I’m sure that Sue has recovered it or repaired it. Bars, dining table chairs, dashboards, steering wheels, auto seats, marine seats, convertible tops, motorcycle seats, car covers, carpet, grill covers, RV’s cars, trucks and recently a Red Bull Flugtug Kite. She will even cover whatever vehicles the Monkey’s drive and various items of junk that they drive up. Sue works on it all.
ASM Auto Upholstery currently has a staff of 10 employees that sew, trim, and work in the front office. Don’t forget to sign the Dragon Lady Sue’s guest book when you come to visit, she likes to know everyone’s name and the city, state, country that they came from.
Sue and her office staff enjoy time with the customers to help them find the perfect material sample and color, helping make their custom upholstery dreams come true. It’s very rewarding to see the customers face for the first time when they come to pick up their vehicle or item once its finished.
Sue is passionate about giving back to the community and enjoys working with her local wounded warrior project and the ASPCA. During Sue’s off time she enjoys playing Mahjong and going to car shows, auctions and enjoy the beauty of the steel and upholstery.
Photos: Rich Pierce, Story: Blacktop and ASM staff
As Seen In Blacktop Magazine Special Print Edition #12