Today I’m joined by Leslie Stanfield of Lace Envy Alterations in Spokane, WA. Leslie is known in our community for her endless energy, her willingness to always learn something new, and the beautiful work she delivers to her brides.

In this episode, Leslie shares her story of starting out sewing from home while raising five kids, and how that eventually led to opening her own bridal studio. We talk about what it really looks like to make the leap from working for a shop to running your own space, including how to budget for rent, find the right location, and price your work with confidence.

Leslie also opens up about some of the tougher sides of this business, from handling emotionally draining fittings to navigating a serious shoulder injury right in the middle of wedding season. Her perspective on boundaries, resilience, and leaning on your community is one that every bridal seamstress needs to hear.

In this episode:

• Leslie’s journey from sewing “fun money” projects at home to running a professional studio

• How she found and afforded her first storefront

• The importance of setting boundaries in busy season (no more 4 a.m. sewing nights!)

• How she handled a shoulder injury and kept her business afloat

• Her encouragement to seamstresses who are thinking about taking the leap into business ownership

Connect with Leslie:

Website: https://laceenvyalts.com/

Join the membership here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.com/

Learn more about the retreats here: https://secretsofabridalseamstress.squarespace.com/new-page

Connect with Nadine on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsofabridalseamstress/