Inverness BID Small Business Focus Q&A: Sewing business is tailor-made for Anna and Peter Kubiak of T&U by Anna, Queensgate Inverness
Small Business Focus in association with Inverness BID
Q How would you describe your business to a stranger?
A We are running a family business which offers a range of tailoring and upholstery services. Including any alterations of trousers, shirts, skirts, curtains, jumpsuits, men’s suits, wedding dresses for example. We also offer re-upholstery and repairs of chairs, armchairs, sofas, stools, boat and caravan cushions, and much more.
Q What inspired you to start the business?
A I have always been passionate about fashion and my work with people always gives me satisfaction. After 14 years working in the Victorian Market, I wanted to pursue my own ideas and decided to join businesses with my husband Peter, who was working from home doing re-upholstery. We launched T&U by Anna in November 2023 and moved to our premises at Queensgate.
Q How has your business developed?
A Our business has developed very well. Since we opened the shop we have more and more wedding dresses to alter and also much more furniture to re-cover. I expected to keep some of my regular customers but I didn’t expect that we would get so many new customers which makes us really happy!
Q What are your plans to develop your business in the future?
A I really want to keep our business in the family so we are teaching our son about the trade and encouraging him to get involved. We are planning to get more machines so in the future we can offer embroidery and heavy leatherwork. People have been asking about fixing leather bags and suits, and we also have many people asking about embroidery. In the future we could work with private customers as well as with companies.
Q What lessons have you learnt from your time in business?
A Running our own business has been very positive but it also costs a lot in sacrifices. We don’t really have a lot of time for anything else except work. We work seven days a week, usually between 10 and14 hours. We didn’t get any advice about starting our own business. We’re doing everything ourselves. But we have learned that our hard work is rewarded with customer satisfaction.
Q What do you love about working in Inverness city centre?
A Working in the heart of Inverness means our customers have easy access to our shop and it also gives us the opportunity to cooperate with different clothing shops. We work with quite a few shops in the city centre. They can offer their customers a guaranteed one-hour service with no extra cost. Also, the city centre community is very friendly and helpful.
Q Can you tell us something interesting about yourself?
A I really like listening to podcasts, especially crime podcasts.
