March 2010

Gina Martorella – owner of Gina’s Fashion Fabrics

Gina has seen many changes in her industry over the years; changes in sewing, changes in fashion and changes in business in general.  Gina came to Canada 50 years ago from Central Italy between Rome and Naples.   She married her husband Bernie who worked at Inco during his career.

Gina began her business career in 1975.  Her three daughters were in high school and they just didn’t depend on her as much.  So for almost ten years, Gina taught sewing classes at night school.  She enjoyed her work and was able to help hundreds of people learn the art of sewing and fashion.   It was an opportunity to pursue something that she loved.  She loved beautiful fabric and fashion and so she purchased the retail space from Swartz in 1975.

Gina says, “I didn’t start out a businesswoman.  I didn’t know what I was doing at the beginning when it was just me and 2 other women. But we began to grow the business and within 5 years I had 7 women working with me.” Some of those women are still with Gina and now work part-time for her.

Gina, like most female entrepreneurs was always hard on herself.  She said, “I didn’t go to school so I didn’t think I could do anything, but it worked out.”  When asked what were things that helped make her business successful she comments, “I always wanted to please my customers, that was very important to me.  It came before profit sometimes.  I was very focused on customer service”.  With 35 years in business, one can imagine that Gina has a lot of business advice she can give women.  Two important tidbits of advice from Gina are to always take care of your financial books, don’t ignore them and make sure they are up-to-date”.  With that said though, Gina’s second piece of advice is very important as well.  “I always trust too much sometimes.  I would recommend you surround yourself with people you trust but at the same time, always double-check their work to ensure it’s up to your standards”, says Gina.  “Some people have different thinking than you and it’s important to know that or set the standards right away”.

Gina’s best memory of her business career is traveling to Montreal and Toronto to all the fashion shows.  “I loved seeing all the latest fashions and designs and bringing that information back to my customers.”

Much has changed in the fashion industry now-a-days.  Mass production of clothing has lead to less expensive clothing being more accessible to the modern working woman who fights a time-crunch to have her clothes custom-made or to order unique fabric.  But Gina’s Boutique has her consistent client base who value quality and access to unique, high quality fabrics.  Her boutique features Bridesmaid dresses that are ordered in and can be altered and numerous books of fabric.  Customized designs are still the feature focus for Gina and her team.

Gina has been a member of BPW since she began her business on Elgin St.  She makes a point of attending almost 80% of all the meetings.  She believes networking with other women and building relationships is the single most important part of her business building tools.  “BPW is a great organization with wonderful women so full of potential.  BPW gives these women many opportunities to grow and develop and expand their businesses.  It’s a great organization for women in politics too where you can get support and learn about the issues that important to women.”

For more information on Gina’s Boutiques

28 Elgin Street, Sudbury, ON

Phone: (705)-675-8651

Email: gina@ginasboutique.ca

Website: www.ginasboutique.ca

“Gina Martorella is the consumate entrepreneur.  She is in a very specialized niche type business and she has been in business a long time because of her dedication to client satisfaction.  She herself is a walking advertisement of the elegance of the products and quality of service that a client will find in her store.”

Cathryn A. Nadjiwon, O.L.S., O.L.I.P.
(705) 691-5755