Potential, creativity and skill can lead to so many endless possibilities in the plus size industry.
I worked for Wells Fargo in Canada for 10 years as a marketing manager. While I loved the diversity the position provided, and worked with super dynamic people, promoting financial services can be limiting. Especially when your creative juices are flowing!
My department was transferred to the US; after all Canadian marketing positions were cancelled in November of 2008. I basked in the luxury of having some time off especially during the holiday season. I spent the next four months looking for a new job which became my new full-time job. I explored every resource available: online job sites, professional outplacement services, networking, library listings, government resources and so on. The month of May rolled around and I was frustrated that I hadn’t yet found a new job. Being someone who always worked hard and built a solid professional reputation, it was hard not to take it personally.
Over the past year I contemplated the idea of opening up my own plus size clothing business. A native from Montréal and a female of a size 16 with a flair for fashion, why couldn’t I take things into my own hands and start something new? Trendy, sexy and affordable plus size clothes are very difficult to find in Canada and us plus-size women need to dress and feel as sexy as everybody else. There was definitely opportunity and demand for trendy plus size women’s’ fashions, and I felt the need to fulfill that demand.
On May 31st I was exposed to four successful women that were being interviewed, and when asked what their underlying key to success was, they all replied, “Believe in yourself and what you are doing”. That was a sign for me to take action and start my career in the plus size industry. I decided to take a huge risk! Despite the economic downturn and complete lack of knowledge about this niche market, I turned down an attractive job offer to pursue my dream of owning my own online fashion boutique for plus size women.
I was now completely committed to getting business off the ground, and tapped into government resources to educate myself on the requirements and challenges of starting a small business. One resource that was very valuable for my new small business was Enterprise Toronto. They provide free seminars, helpful staff, free research and networking opportunities for small businesses alike.
I decided on SexyPlus Clothing as the business name, registered the company and designed my logo. My marketing and graphics background allowed me to truly tap into my talent and training. I wrote a business plan in about 2 weeks, and started networking in the plus size industry. I flew to New York in July for the first annual Full Figured Fashion Week in hopes of finding wholesalers, and shortly after to Vegas. My mission became finding wholesalers who had the styles that I wanted at the right price so that I could provide my customers with great value and competitive pricing. I quickly invested in inventory for my online boutique, a company website, and other start-up expenses.
Now SexyPlus Clothing is well on its way. I’ve connected with some great people in the industry and have received tremendous support from the plus size community. Our styles consist of sexy club wear, casual wear, denim, beach wear, and holiday products that also include plus size costumes.
I knew that networking was essential for any business, and I proved it to myself yet again when I met a co-owner of Curvaceous Consignments – a specialty consignment boutique catering to women sizes 14 and up. They wanted to add cool, funky, urban styles to their extensive collection at their two locations (Ajax and Thornhill) and SexyPlus Clothing was the answer. Now customers can access our unique styles in the East, North and West ends of the Greater Toronto Area. Catherine Leteinturier from www.bellesplus.com was also a great contact that provides an international directory for plus size products and services from around the world.
While the fashion industry was new to me, I always had a natural flair for fashion and I believe that it provides a vessel to express one’s personality. Women need to learn to focus on their assets like their beautiful faces, curves, hips, breasts, femininity and personality. Recently, I posed for an episode of “How To Look Good Naked Canada” which will be aired in February.
Here are a few practical tips to help women look, and more importantly ‘feel’ great no matter what their size:
1. Know how to dress for your body shape (some styles are more flattering than others on certain shapes); we can help women identify their shape and pick the most figure flattering cuts (our website has “browse by shape” functionality)
2. Shop smart: pick up staple items that are timeless (i.e. little black dress, great jeans, classy sweater, club tops) when you have lots of time or when they are on sale – do not wait till the last minute as your selection will be limited and satisfaction diminished
3. Accessorize – like many fashion experts have stated over time, accessories make the outfit. Pick up great belts, jewellery, shoes, scarves and shawls when you see ones that you love. And be adventurous with ; express your moods and personality
4. Smooth out your shape: if you are comfortable in shape wear, whichever brand you prefer, have a few on hand in different colours. They bring you down a size or two, smooth out your shape and some even help with your posture.
Lately I teamed up with Curvacious.ca (hosts of plus sized events in the GTA) to celebrate the launch of the SexyPlus Clothing website. On October 17th, 2009 at 8:00pm we kicked off the evening with a fashion show, champagne and DJ spinning the latest hits. The event was free and a great place to network helping the evolution of Sexy Plus Clothing.
As our company expands, SexyPlus Clothing will carry an extensive array of sizes (4, 5, 6X). We will also host monthly open house fashion events in the Toronto are where ladies have the opportunity to shop in a comfortable and unique environment. Our website and integrated blog has launched and we are open for online shopping. We will provide consumers with international shipping, fashion news, events, trends, and topics of interest and will feature real women who embrace their curves and our company.
I look forward to serving women in Canada and around the world. Great service is easy to deliver when you love what you do, and see a woman transformed because she found a garment that simply elevates her spirits.
SexyPlus Clothing – sexy, affordable, finally.
