We were lucky to catch up with Becca Wood recently and have shared our conversation below.

Becca, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Any time that I get the opportunity to create a suit for an athlete that has sentimental meaning for them, It is always such an honor. Competing in bodybuilding is already such an intense and humbling experience. The fact that some competitors wish to take that vulnerability a step further and use their suits as a nod to something or someone near and dear to their hearts is so inspiring. I always put my entire creative being into each suit, but there’s something about tribute suits that push me to make It that much more special. Whether it’s as subtle as a single pink rhinestone on a teal suit for the client’s best friend battling breast cancer, to as bold as an entire suit embellished with pink ribbons, they all tell a story, and I’m so honored to have been part of them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I learned to sew at a very young age and worked for several years in a costume studio here in Pittsburgh, creating garments for theater, opera, and ballet. I have worked on projects that have been seen on cruise ships, Broadway, and Disney.

In 2013, I began making suits for myself and friends. I am heavily involved the bodybuilding industry, spray tanning, and working behind the scenes to help shows run smoothly. In 2018, I transitioned into making this my full-time gig.

There are dozens of suit makers out there, but I believe my formal training, industry involvement, and the time I take getting to know and understand my clients definitely sets me apart. For me, it’s more than a transaction, it’s creating something truly unique that my clients feel amazing in.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

It might seem a little counterintuitive, but my business competition. I have found invaluable benefits from befriending some other suit makers in the industry. And while I’ve had some times where my designs were replicated or my promo images used by anther company, the friendships that I’ve established with other suit makers has been game changing. They are the only ones who will truly understand every struggle and victory in this specific business. Once I stopped seeing them as my rivals, they became resources and dear friends.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think a common misconception, is that because what I make is “homemade”, it will be less expensive. In most cases, It is actually the opposite. Small business owners have to consider so many aspects when pricing items: bills, materials, cost of living expenses, website and e-commerce subscriptions, (for some) childcare, etc. In my case, it has very nearly always been just me running the business, between emails and creating and setting up at events, I learned very quickly that my time is valuable. Everything I make is made from scratch, there’s no warehouse, no employees, no outsourcing parts of my business.
Bodybuilding is such an expensive sport, so it only makes sense for a client to get sticker shock when they see my prices. But I think if there was more openness and understanding to what all goes into that number, It might not be as surprising.

Contact Info:

• Website:Www.bbcustomsuits.com
• Instagram: @bbcustomsuits