A dressmaker sowed her way into business and is now reaping the benefits of having run Quija fabrics for the last decade.

When Laquita Gay Simmons began making clothing for people at the tender age of nine, she had no idea that she would be the proud owner of a fabric store.

Her fabric store, which is located on the top floor of the Walker Arcade, can only be compared to Aladdin's Cave with all the finery that surrounds her customers.

Today her store is a rare find in Bermuda, since Gloria's Fashions and Fashion Fabrics closed their doors. Gibbons Company still sells some fabric, but it is quilt and craft specific, rather than for the fashionista in all of us.

Ms Simmons told The Royal Gazette about her journey and what she does to stay ahead of the trends.

"I started sewing when I was nine and I became a dressmaker," she said.

"It was hard finding things that you need and I said one day, without thinking, 'it is going to be another store one day'. Within the next year, I was approached by someone who wanted me to sublet in a store, but the store was too small, so I told her that I would when she moved out, which she did within a matter of months and I just got everything started."

With this find, she approached some family members.

"I approached my cousin and his wife who had a business of their own and asked them what I needed to do and whatever, and they (Leslie and Debbie Simmons) opened the door for me and gave me a start. It was between them, my uncle Lionel and my son (Jahrizino Simmons of the Two Fools) where it all began.

"It was just so easy and it has been about 10 years since it started."

Initially her shop was the smallest little place ever and today although her store is larger, she could still use more space.

"Within six years, like the Jefferson's say, 'I'm moving on up!' I had outgrown the lower level and I've pretty much outgrown this one," she said.

"But my motto is that I want a business that I can maintain, I don't want my business to maintain me."

Along the way, although she had support, she found that everyone wasn't as positive.

"I'm happily here and I'm glad I did it," said Ms Simmons.

"There were people that doubted me and I would say to them today, 'I am still standing'.

"She'd say, 'people don't do that anymore, as in buy fabric, but it has been a turnaround and it went downhill for a while and I questioned myself as if I was doing the right thing, but my dear uncle gave me a line, 'you cannot plant a seed and expect it to be grown by the next day'.

"Basically he was saying be patient, so yeah, I'm still here."

When entering Quija, there is very little in the store that you can't see turned into a beautiful garment.

"I hand select my fabrics, I go to New York and I have two vendors that come to Bermuda to me," she explained.

"So I go up four times out of the year.

"It started out small and I never expected for it to be where it is today, I didn't expect for it to be with jewellery, or jewellery making fixtures, it has grown, we cater to the gombeys, the majorettes, the churches, companies, the selection is very wide.

"Most people compare it either as Aladdin's cave or like being in a candy store and every time they come in they feel they have to buy."

In addition to all that Ms Simmons sells, she has a similar wit to her comedian son and the store is always lively with quips flying about everywhere.

"It is a fun store, I don't make it a job, because I meet new people and I have met so many people both local and foreign and I get emails from my foreign customers who always have something pleasant to say," she said.

"It's really a good job, actually the saleslady I have now was telling someone that she wouldn't change her job, because this is the first time that she has been able to enjoy her job, because as you know, there is always laughter, which I like, which I guess is why they call me Jah's Mom.

"I just like to have fun, I like to be lively and I like to assist."

But with all the fun and games set aside, when it comes to advice on which piece of fabric would go with another or in any particular pattern, Ms Simmons has some sound advice for her customers.

"I tell my customers that I am here to sell and to give advice,' she said.

"I don't sell just to sell, it has to be what I feel is right. I offer more than enough (advice), I'm going to have to start charging. I keep telling people, I'm going to charge you for that!"

When asked if she still did the alterations, Ms Simmons said that she was winding down.

"The store is becoming more and more demanding, because working all day and I have to do every aspect of this job, the buying, the selling, the displaying, the pricing, whatever needs to be done, it is not like I have help."

On Saturday night she had an appreciation dinner for all those that assisted in her start.

She has found that people are taking up many of the arts and crafts that were previously done as a matter of course. When asked whether she thought that people were getting back to basics, Ms Simmons said: "Yes definitely, back to the way it was, because you can't find what you are looking for.

"And because so many people are going on line today's fashions cater more to the young, they are so trendy that mostly mature people are getting back to it.

"So it has picked up immensely, it has not gone."

In conclusion, she thanked God, those who have patronised her over the years and to Mr. Walker her landlord.