Business
Profile: Angela Samuels – founder and CEO Voluptous Clothing
Samuels, grew up as one of six kids in the rough Toronto neighborhood of Jane and Finch, was ready for the challenges of being in retail as well as pioneering a business idea in an underserved niche.
Her plans were met with skeptics, who thought she was crazy and didn’t think that full-figured women should be in miniskirts and form-fitting tops.
To finance Voluptuous Clothing, Samuels used her house as collateral to secure a loan, as well as financial support from her mother and sister. Samuels chose the name Voluptuous for her company because she wanted something that conveyed a positive outlook and sexy attitude.
Ms. Samuels is self taught. “I learned everything on the job. I took a few business courses to understand the basics. Everything I needed to do, I learned about it. How to start a company? I took a course. How to manage employees and merchandise clothes? I read a book. I’m completely self-taught.”
“Within my staff are women who fit into my market and fit into my clothing. I try to change those employees’ perceptions of how they see themselves. I also show them how to give back. I teach those women to take their life experiences, and what they learn at Voluptuous Clothing, and change the lives of others.”
