Valentina Pereira

I attribute my success to a deep respect for craftsmanship and a commitment to continually learning and improving my skills. I began sewing at a young age and have carried that passion throughout my career, developing my abilities through self-teaching, formal education, hands-on experience, and mentorship. Creativity, patience, precision, attention to detail, perseverance, and a strong work ethic are central to everything I do, but I also believe success comes from being resourceful and adaptable when challenges arise. I take pride in listening carefully to my clients, understanding their vision, and turning their ideas into quality, tangible results. Most importantly, my passion for sewing, design, restoration, and helping people feel confident in what they wear and surround themselves with continues to motivate me.

The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my father, who taught me that while I may always be better than someone else at certain things, there will always be someone who is better than me, so I should always do my best. That lesson taught me to remain humble, focused, and committed to continuous growth rather than comparing myself to others. My sister, who is also a business owner, gave me equally valuable advice by encouraging me to recognize that having a talent is only part of building a successful business; I also needed to understand the practical side of entrepreneurship, including permits, forming an LLC, and managing the responsibilities of business ownership. Together, their guidance taught me to stay humble, work hard, keep learning, and move forward with confidence rather than allowing fear or comparison to hold me back.

My advice to young women entering the tailoring, fashion, and upholstery industry is simple: don’t let fear stop you from trying. Start, learn, make mistakes, and keep going. Experience is one of the greatest teachers, and mistakes and setbacks are a natural part of growth. Trust your abilities, remain open to learning, and give yourself permission to develop your skills along the way. There are more opportunities today for women to pursue entrepreneurship and build successful careers, so I encourage young women to use their voices, recognize their value, and have the confidence to create something that reflects their own talents, creativity, and vision.

The biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now are closely connected. One of the greatest challenges facing tailoring, alterations, and upholstery is that the trade itself is becoming a lost art, with fewer sewing and vocational programs available in schools and a growing culture of disposable fashion. At the same time, this decline has created an incredible opportunity for skilled craftspeople because finding someone with the expertise to handle specialized work, particularly intricate alterations and wedding gowns, is becoming increasingly difficult. Through Beautifully Bad Designs, I have responded to this growing need by providing specialized, personalized services, including 24-hour alterations and repairs for clients who need expert craftsmanship on an urgent basis. I believe preserving these skills while making them accessible to today’s customers is both a responsibility and a meaningful opportunity for the future of the industry.

The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are craftsmanship, integrity, perseverance, family, and excellence. I believe in treating every client and project with care while remaining humble enough to continue learning and confident enough to bring my own creativity and vision to my work. Family is especially important to me, and one of my most meaningful projects has been completing my late grandmother’s unfinished sewing projects and sharing them with family as a way of honoring her memory. That experience reminded me that what we create with our hands can carry meaning far beyond the finished product. Ultimately, I value authenticity, purposeful service, and leaving something meaningful behind, whether I am repairing a treasured garment, creating a custom design, or preserving a piece of my grandmother’s legacy.