Linda Crawford

Uplifted By New Direction

One of my lifelong hobbies has been my love of sewing. I really wanted to be a fashion designer, but was always quite chubby. For some reason, I believed I needed to be like a model to be a fashion designer. I applied to Ryerson for the Fashion Design program, but my very low self-esteem caused me to withdraw my application. I ended up working for the government instead of pursuing my dream.

Years later, I finally took Fashion Design at Mohawk College, and I think I could have been in the same classes at Ryerson as my Instructor, as that is where she trained! The college offers many advanced courses and one of them was Bra-making. I was still looking for my niche, and when I started bra-making I knew I had found it! In fact, the instructor of the course was looking for a Customer Service Rep for her company Bra-Makers Supplies. I got the job! Bra-Makers Supplies is the largest single supplier in North America, and maybe the world, of every single part needed to make a bra.

Beverly, the owner, has studied bras for over 15 years and is very knowledgeable about their construction and fit. We worked together for four years. She trained me to be an Instructor, in order to teach others to sew their own bras. I took the Professional Bra-Makers Course, and learned to fit made- to -measure bras. In April 2009, Beverly had finished her Bra-Makers Manual, and several patterns that she had been working on, and decided to return to her business full-time. It was time for me to start my own business.

I have been volunteering with the Look Good Feel Better Program, offered through the Canadian Cancer Society, for the past five years. It is a workshop that addresses the appearance- related effects of all cancers affecting women. I have been deeply touched by the women I have met through my volunteer work, and I knew I wanted to include mastectomy products as part of my new business.

I am completely enraptured with this business, as I have never been before. It has all the elements of creativity that I crave. I have the ability to truly help people. I am rewarded for a job well done, both spiritually and one day, hopefully financially!