A native Chicagoan Terri is a graduate of the renowned South loop institution Columbia College. It is here Terri began sharing her design skills and the abilities of  collaboration with fellow designers to market to the local markets and fashion community. Ever evolving and willing to meet other creatives Terri fellow under the tutelage of Barbara Bates. Bates Design served as a launching pad for the then novice designer to strengthen her talent for freehand cutting and eyeball sewing.