Beatrice Atkinson turned a negative situation into a positive one.
She could have bemoaned her fate after she was laid off from her job in a sewing factory in March.
Instead, she changed her part-time seamstress work into a full-time business.
Atkinson found she enjoyed creating things when she took a job 40 years ago in a factory.
It occurred to her that she could do this on her own, but it wasn't until 1986 when she started taking work on the side.
In 2003, she and her husband, James, enclosed their double carport and created a larger work space for her than the spare bedroom she had been working from.
She also began reading books and took business ideas from other small businesses she patronized.
"Most of my knowledge is self-taught from books," she said. "I didn't go to school for this."
While alterations make up the bulk of her work, she really enjoys working with formal wear.
Last month, for example, she altered a wedding dress for a bride who would be married on the beach.
"I hemmed it and took up the straps. The hem had to go up six inches in the front," she said. "When she came to try it on, it was perfect."
That satisfaction and appreciation from her customers is why she does this kind of work, she said.
Last week a customer hugged and kissed her because she was so pleased with her work, Atkinson said.
"That means as much as money," she said.
In addition to alterations, she can make articles of clothing from scratch if the customer will bring her the pattern and materials.
Atkinson hopes her story will inspire other people in tough situations to look for opportunities to create something positive from them, the way she did.
"I've watched so much television and read so much press about people losing their jobs," she said. "I'm here to tell you, people can talk about negative all day long. You've got to look for the positive. That's what I've done."
Reach Lisa Kaylor at lisa.kaylor@northaugustatoday.com.
SEAMSTRESS BEATRICE ATKINSON
ADDRESS: 1473 W. Martintown Road
PHONE: (803) 278-2647
HOURS: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday by appointment
