Rebecca Hickey has had an extensive career in retail management, including human resources, training, department management, buyer, and sales promotion. She worked for Woodward and Lothrop, Jacks of York, and The Bon-Ton Department Stores. After her retirement in 2008, Hickey opened an alterations and seamstress business. During this time, she continued to expand her needle arts skills, talents, and seamstress abilities by taking classes in quilting, heirloom stitchery, machine and hand embroidery, applique, English paper-piecing, knitting, weaving, sewing, and jewelry-making.