Linda Margaret (Maggie) Sutton has a vision: to help women celebrate their curves, show on the outside how they're feeling on the inside, step outside their fashion comfort zone, and build a "transitional" wardrobe that is funky, smart and stylish. She's a fearless serial entrepreneur, builder and inventor who understands what it takes to be successful in business and in life. She's filled with passion, creativity and, most of all, clear intention. All of this energy is packed into a five-foot tall "ball of fire" that exudes competence, intelligence and confidence. No question, Maggie's on a roll.

Her latest venture is Margaret Rose, a very special women's boutique located in a building that Maggie and her husband own in One Tree Hill. In a time when women's fashion seems to be overrun with imports from Australia for size 8 bodies, it is refreshing to meet a mature New Zealand woman who wants to serve the needs of other mature New Zealand women. We talked to Maggie about her new business and here are the highlights of our conversation.

What gave you the idea for Margaret Rose?

I'm a woman with curves and girl on a budget. My wardrobe is filled with either work clothes (for when I‘m on a building site) or really dressy frocks. I had nothing in between; and, hard as I looked, I wasn't able to find clothes that I loved, that fit properly and that I could afford. I realised there were other women out there who were in the same position so I decided I'd do something about that.

I love fabric and creating new things. I've sewn all my life. I worship at the altar of form, function and purpose. And it was time that I did something new. So Margaret Rose was born.

It sounds like there's something even deeper going on. Is there?

Many women, especially New Zealand women, have been taught to be "invisible," to refrain from being the centre of attention, to blend in. What we wear on the outside should be an expression of how we feel on the inside. If we can't find the clothes to do that for us we're in effect suppressing who we are. I'm on a mission to give women permission to wear fun and funky clothes that reflect who they really are.

I also want to help them build a transitional wardrobe that can be added to piece by piece at an affordable price. I want to help them get comfortable with self-expression through their wardrobe and have a fun shopping experience. I'm creating an environment in which a woman can experiment with new looks and get truly honest feedback on whether the clothes she's trying on are flattering. If she's going to take a risk on a different way of dressing, I want to make sure she's going to get positive affirmation on her new look!

My husband teases me that I'm creating the Church of Retail Therapy.

You're a serial entrepreneur. What are your keys to success?

Successful entrepreneurship is about controlling and mitigating risk. I always have a clear vision. I'm prepared to work really, really hard. I'm single-minded and disciplined. And, I don't give up.

It's important to make money in business. For every part of my business I do the maths. I start by creating my "perfect world" on paper and then I pull out the calculator. I have priorities and budgets and goals, and I measure my performance against them. I don't have endless capital so I have to be creative with everything I do.

It's also important to learn to be thick-skinned since you're going to take some hits. This teaches you to know yourself. The first time you try something you might not succeed, but don't stop. Think about learning to poach an egg. There's the perfect technique and there's the perfect pan. You need both, and figuring that out is all part of the process of being successful.

We at Rag Trade Recruitment commend and support Maggie in her success. Production starts with the success of retail and unless successful retailers are New Zealand owned and operated our NZ manufacture/supply companies will cease to exist.

Submitted by Managing Director, Gaye Harford in collaboration with Lorraine Warshaw