We were lucky to catch up with Laura Treas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Laura, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Too often the media represents innovation as something magical that only high-flying tech billionaires and upstarts engage in – but the truth is almost every business owner has to regularly innovate in small and big ways in order for their businesses to survive and thrive. Can you share a story that highlights something innovative you’ve done over the course of your career?

I became a self-taught small batch manufacturing expert! As a designer that has sewn my whole life, I partnered with a company that wanted to start manufacturing their own products and stop buying from vendors. I now have over 10 years experience and have taught many women how to sew. I also help women set up their own micro factories in their homes so they can be independent sewing contractors. We need more on-shoring of products and I”m doing my part locally!

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 provide confidence! As a designer/seamstress I was asked to help a post-surgical garment company build their in-house manufacturing so they could stop buying from overseas vendors. I built a team of 15 stitchers sewing 200 garments a day and became a small batch manufacturing expert. While I was at that company I identified a need for garments for people transitioning from female to male and male to female. This was before it was in the news regularly. I frequently received calls for custom garments and always made these myself. Customers were always instructed to call me after trying on the custom garment so we could discuss the fit. It was emotional listening to them because they finally saw in the mirror the way they felt on the inside. After 5 years I left that company and took my designs with me. I now have a compression line for the trans community with a show room that is very private. Every fitting is still emotional as my garments are literally mental health products. I still make each garment myself and am a full time ally. I am an ambassador with our local LGBTQ Chamber.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As an innovator I have had people want to collaborate but they were actually trying to take credit for my work. This has happened more times than I care to count. Each one approaching with smiles and solutions for growth. One went on tv with my garments without me knowing, even though it was stated no promotions until the contract was signed. They were only supposed to be photographing them. They got national coverage saying they were the designer of my garments. I was mentioned as the seamstress, or pattern maker, not the inventor! Another wanted to pair up because they had a big following. They submitted a contract requesting 49% of my company I had made all the monetary investment in! These were well known people in the community and it was like walking a tight-rope socially.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I have showcased at national conventions and been invited to shows as the only vendor doctors deem safe for binding a chest. And our local hospital and therapists send me clients. This has been because I do the work of showing up and exhibiting. I believe in relationship building.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.affirmawear.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_f_f_i_r_m_a_w_e_a_r/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.treas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-treas-93984216/

Image Credits
Tiffany Marie Photography