Bernie McGuire, Owner, Stitch it Bernie
Bernie has been sewing for the past thirty-two years and has learned a lot over those wonderful years. Bernie started off in a clothing factory where she learned how to make clothes from the start to the end, moved on then to a bridal department in the famous McElhinney's stores in the heart of Ballybofey, where she added bridal to her skills. She got married, had three beautiful children and then decided to open her own alterations shop in Ballybofey six years ago. It has evolved from general clothing alterations and bridal alterations to designing her own range of handmade Irish christening gowns and creating heirloom christening gowns out of wedding dresses (my favourite part of the job) and have created some wedding dresses for customers that couldn't find what they were looking for. It's a busy and stressful job, She loves it and wouldn't want to be doing anything else!
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Facebook, because I find it the easiest to work, I'm not very techy.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I'm the designer and creator of my very own brand of christening gowns, which I have set my time on during the lockdown period. This is the area I love, and I'm excited as to where it's gonna take me and having joined the crafters of Ireland, my designs are out worldwide.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
Sewing doesn't feel like a job, and being my own boss is a bonus, plus I can get creative with whatever my customers come to get made. It's amazing to see the end result of some of the ideas that people come with.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
The best advice was to give it a go; you have nothing to lose by trying it out. And that was my thoughts when I decided to start my business. If it worked, great. If not, no harm is done.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
What keeps me motivated is seeing the faces of the customers when they come to pick up their gowns or their wedding dresses, fitting them for their big day, and just being so happy with what I have provided for them. It's a great feeling.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I'm actually proud of myself for leaving school at fourteen and I have worked all my life. Getting to that point of opening my own business when the children were old enough for me to put in the long hours to make it the success it is today.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Facebook or when people call into my store.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Positive thinking is a big one, and of course, the sewing skills I have learned from the age of fourteen, those years of stitching have really paid off.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
The long hours owning your own business is probably twice as much as an employee, but as they say, no pain, no gain, if you want it to work, you have got to put the time in.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
It would have to be John McElhinney from Ballybofey. He opened his shop in the back of a van and has built it up to be Ballybofeys biggest employer in his fifty-years-old including myself working there.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
I like to head to the gym and head to the beach for walks; my children are the most important before anything else. I try to give them the best life I can.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Definitely a positive one; this time gave me the opportunity to finally get creating my christening gowns range and I got a website up and running selling these gowns.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I had a lady who took me under her wing and taught me the bridal trade. She was an amazing stitcher, and I owe her all that thanks for showing me the ropes.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Take each day as it comes and enjoy it. A positive attitude goes a long way.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
I suppose there are lots of reasons, the bills, the making sure or bring in enough to cover bill and wages is probably the main one.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
If you work for it, it will happen.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
The store Primark is definitely getting it right after the COVID. That's the store everyone was going to head to.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success is keeping your doors open, and if you are getting customers that keep coming back, you must be doing something right. I have learned that working with the public has great days and some challenging days too.