Being a young entrepreneur was the last thing a Richmond seamstress thought she was going to be after moving to Canada.
Maho Nagata opened her shop, Maho’s Sewing Studios, in Richmond’s Aberdeen Square after she found it difficult to improve and grow in her craft while working in larger tailor shops.
She told the Richmond News she often felt undervalued and overlooked due to her young age, and it was difficult to advance in her career as a seamstress with the age and experience gap in the industry.
“I can do so many things because I like sewing, but (companies) never give me anything beyond basics,” said Nagata, adding she was only ever given basic hem and alteration work for several years.
“You want to do something to improve yourself and be creative in something you love to do, but it was difficult to do that.”
Most experienced workers in the industry are in their 60s and 70s, something she “can’t compare to” despite being a creative and confident sewer, according to Nagata.
Nagata started sewing while attending elementary school in Japan -- an educational requirement for all students in that country.
Her passion truly began around high school when she started making clothes for her corgi after realizing that factory-made garments often slipped off her family pet.
While her corgi didn't particularly like the idea of wearing any clothes, Nagata said she enjoyed sewing cute jackets or dresses for her.
"(My dog) hated it every time I tried to put clothes on her, but they looked cute and I think from then I just really liked sewing and making clothes," said Nagata.
After moving to Vancouver in 2017 and working for a few years, Nagata felt the lack of creative freedom and opportunities to improve began to affect her mental health.
She added working under others can be alright but "can be limiting."
"I want to improve. I don't want to stay in the same place. I don't want a life like that."
The Richmond seamstress quit her job in August and opened her own store a month later, under the suggestion of former bosses and family.
Starting a business as a young entrepreneur wasn’t easy for Nagata. Finding an affordable space, waiting for a business license and learning about business insurance were all new to her.
“Just like that, your money is gone.”
Luckily, the space she rented did not need construction, and she already had all the sewing machines, tables and equipment she needed.
The space allowed her to enjoy her job and focus on her own health and well-being, she explained.
Despite having run her own business for less than a year, Nagata highlights the appreciative and kind customers who have visited her tiny shop.
"They're so nice and supportive. Sometimes it's hard, but because of them, they make my work worth it," said Nagata.
While working as a one-woman operation doing daily alterations, Nagata also offers various workshops, including embroidery and sewing lessons.
She told the News that many individuals have asked her for lessons to sew personal projects, from animal clothing to making backpacks or jackets, and even boyfriends learning to make a scrunchie for their girlfriends.
"I want people to be able to come in with an idea and project they want to work on and not just some sewing curriculum," said Nagata.
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