Inverurie Company Deliberately Sets Out To Go ‘Bust’

Going bust is certainly not something most businesses aim to do when they set up, but for Inverurie based Kathleen Baxter, that’s exactly what she aims for. She’s set up Katsize, a specialist bra fitting service which aims to ensure that the women of the north east find perfect fitting bras for their size. Kathleen operates the company from a fitting room at her own home, but also travels to fit bras for women who have difficulties getting to shops, such as those living in nursing homes and sheltered housing.

With over 17 years in lingerie retail, much of that time as a specialist bra fitter, Kathleen saw a gap in the market for a discrete service. However, Kathleen had little business experience, so turned to Enterprise North East (Enterprise) for advice and support.

"Usually we’re helping companies not to go bust," says Joyce Duncan of Enterprise, "But we’re all very supportive of Kathleen in her mission to make women more comfortable!"

"Many ladies are embarrassed to be measured in a shop setting," says Kathleen. "They fear the curtain being opened suddenly and dislike the feeling that they are one of many people in the changing rooms. Here at Katsize, they tell me they feel far more relaxed knowing that they are in total privacy and a one-to one session with no-one coming in straight after them."

Kathleen originally thought that her service would be used predominately by ladies with a larger bust, however, she is finding that smaller busted women also value her personal service.

"Most women are wearing the wrong size of bra," continues Kathleen, "If they have a small back and a large bust, they often mistakenly buy a 36 or 38 C or D cup, when in fact they may need a bra which is only a 32 or 34, but in an F cup. It’s not enough to be measured once and then assume you can buy that size of bra from every shop thereafter. Even in one shop, there will be bras with the same size tag which are actually completely different sizes."

Stocking most of the leading brands such as Gossard, Charnos, Fantasy, Panache, Triumph, Berlei and Platex, Kathleen is confident that she has a bra for every woman – and if not she can order one.

Starting the business was quite daunting however for Kathleen, who admits that paperwork is not her strong point. The support and practical help which Kathleen received from Enterprise was – and still is – very welcome.

"Having my own business advisor is great," Kathleen explains. "They give me 100% encouragement and back up. I fully admit that I was baffled about the whole business of keeping accounts. I’ve been given help to understand the whole process and to see how vital it is that I keep up to date with all my paperwork. I would encourage anyone who is considering starting a business, but who feels daunted by any step of the process to contact Enterprise North East where they will receive as much help as they need with any element of getting established."

"Equally important to the business advice I’ve received, is their general supportive. Starting a business can be a lonely experience, but I know that my adviser Evelyn is always at the end of a phone for me and I feel that I can pick up that phone at any time. Working with the Enterprise team has give me great confidence – and some of them have already become customers which is fantastic."

A large part of Kathleen’s business now involves her travelling to nursing homes and sheltered housing complexes to fit bras for ladies who are unable to shop for their underwear. She can also visit housebound and disabled clients. The next step for Katsize is to help ladies who have had mastectomies. Working with a seamstress, Kathleen is having pockets sewn in to her branded bras to fit a prosthesis, allowing cancer survivors to select from a wide range of everyday and special occasion lingerie.

Katsize is based In Inverurie and can be contacted on 01467 620893