Fashion, frocks and fearlessness

I want to extract myself from the sticky floor. What’s the sticky floor, you ask? Read my previous article here.

Some of you may know I won a professional development scholarship last month. From this, I’ve met many inspiring and successful female executives and entrepreneurs.

One lady who I have much in common with (our shared hometown and hello….. can anyone say fashion?) is womenswear designer Lisa Barron.

For those that know me, you’ll know I’m an avid learner with a healthy curiosity.

Keen to hear how this woman not only survived, but thrived, in the cut-throat world of fashion, I visited Lisa at her Armadale store to get the low down.

How did you get to where you are today?

Curiosity from an early age. This is what made me want to discover what was outside of school high school and fashion school. I knew there was a big world outside of Perth and this wasn’t the place where I was going to live that dream.

While at fashion school I won a competition at Ahearns Department store (now Myer) whereby you designed a dress from a piece of fabric from their store. The prize was a trip to Melbourne to meet five designers of your choice. I won, came to Melbourne and realized this is where I want to be.

I moved across the country with $500 and a sewing machine. I rented an apartment in South Yarra for $40 week. It had an old garage which was half underground and empty. I decided to start the empire in that mouldy old garage. There was only 1 power outlet which I ran my iron, light, sewing machine and heater. Powerboards didn’t exist back then.

I went to Queen Vic Markets, bought some fabric, made 10-20 dresses and put them in a black garbage bag. I traipsed up and down Chapel Street offering stores to buy my dresses. Many said no. Many shooed me away. One didn’t. He was Joe Sillitoe and quite an icon. He asked me leave to them in the store and return next week. If they sold I’d get paid.

A week later – all my dresses sold. He asked me to make more. I did. Numerous times. This continued and the business grew and grew. As he owned an iconic street boutique, people from across the country saw my clothes and contacted me. It was a very organic way of growing.

Over the years, more accounts were added. I moved out of the mouldy old garage. When it rained in winter water would seep through walls, I’d have to move everything into middle of garage or I’d get electrocuted!

Who has inspired you and why?

My mother was (still is) a great business woman. Her advice was:

1. Never borrow too much money.
2. Don’t have a partner unless you marry them.
3. Work hard.
4. No one will give you anything for free.

Everything I wanted to do she let me believe that I could do it.

When I was 21 and headed off to become fashion designer, I had every belief it would happen. I had no idea we were in the middle of a recession, or harder than it was. I created this word – oblivism - oblivious optimism. No matter what the situation was, it’d be ok and I’d make it work.

How do you approach obstacles?

One time an early delivery of leather was stuck on the wharf due to strikes. That was so annoying for me. I found out who the politician was that was upsetting the wharfies, hunted his number and rang him. He answered the phone. I said, “Look you’re holding up my orders and it’s stuck on the wharf.”

 I had no idea this wasn’t what you do. I tackle them head on.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your industry, particularly as a woman?

Poor government decisions are made without any understanding of what it’s like to run a small business. I find it frustrating with a swipe of a pen they can impact so many people. Its 86% of our population. I find it challenging because this holds me back.

Author's note: In an organizational context, my thoughts are this is akin to a board of directors or the executive management team making decisions which impact the majority of employees without consultation or involvement. This happens time and time again.

Time to get out of your little bubble, folks.

Successful female executives and businesswomen comprise a large part of your clientele, what do they have in common?

I've found the women at the very top are willing to share and lift as they grow. It’s the women halfway up that are still struggling and fighting who are not as helpful. I’ve also noticed that women are better at ‘getting there’ (i.e. to the top of the ladder), but it’s the staying there that is challenging.

What does work life balance mean to you? Have you achieved it?

Having your own business is very demanding and I have two daughters. There were many times I felt guilty, no matter how many magazine articles I read telling me not to! I think setting an example for your children is important so they can see you have a life outside of the home. They’re young women now, both have an amazing work ethic and an appreciation for how things happen.

How do you stay calm under pressure?

This is when I seek the mentors and the great women in my life. I always ask the question “how would so and so deal with this?” We are not perfect. I’ve thrown garments off the rack, had emotional break downs, when all the perfect storms have aligned. I’m only human. It’s important to self-reflect and say that’s not the person I want to be. I can’t stress enough the importance of women finding mentors. Someone they relate to, who connects with you, shares your values and has the same philosophy on life.

What do you wish you knew 10 years ago that you know now?

I was in the midst of child rearing. I wished back then, that I knew it would be ok that I missed one sports day. The guilt I felt in the big scheme of things wasn’t going to make a difference. They’re the things you worry about. The sports day, the concerts, you try so hard to make it. 

#1 piece of career advice

Look deeper. This relates to everything. Look deeper into the people around you, don’t take them at face value. Look deeper into a role before you take it. Do your homework.

What are your keys to success?

1            Hard work.

2            Seize every opportunity.

I’ve accepted offers to go to China with the State government when there was no chance I was going to sell there. But I went anyway. The relationships I made during the trip have helped advance my career. Too many people say “I’ll get nothing out of that, I already knew that, or I can do that myself”.

Just go. Even when you’re tired. Even when you’re hungry. Even when it’s bucketing down and cold.

You’ll never know what will present itself.

3            Don’t risk too much – financially. Bigger isn’t always better.

4            Be careful. It’s not that easy to make money. Don’t get fooled into seeing all these people who look like they’re living it up on Instagram. 

5            Grow the intangibles. Feed that right brain. Foster creativity, get into nature, be inspired by conversation, visual or intellectual stimulation. It’s so easy to let slip.

Thanks for sharing your story, Lisa.