Sadie Ayton is backing a campaign to find and encourage new entrepreneurs in the region. She explains the secrets of her success

WHEN Sadie Ayton left Consett Grammar School, little did she know that she would create her own business, be named retailer of the year in 2000, receive a top five nomination for the Best Shop Awards 2007 and star in a Channel 4 documentary.

Having recently celebrated her 71st birthday, Sadie, better known as the Bra Lady, had an interesting start to business.

In the late Sixties, with her flair for fashion, she won a number of small beauty and fashion competitions.

Her first boutique opened in October 1970, retailing mens' and ladies' fashions.

Selling bras began as a sideline in an attempt to help sell more dresses.

However, fashion was soon abandoned as the bra trade took over.

"In the early days, when I was selling fashion garments, I struggled. I had no business training. I made plenty of mistakes, learnt by them and never repeated one."

Sadie's success is down to her fitting method, developed after discovering that the Measurement Guide, introduced in the 1900s, was seriously out of date.

"The Measurement Guide has been in place for so long and is so misleading that I would like to abolish it. My main concern is that every lady is wearing the correct size and style bra that suits her body shape, " she said.

With six shops across the North-East and North Yorkshire, Sadie is tackling that concern on a daily basis and is challenging the outdated systems, sticking firmly to the belief that it is her job to put the bust back where it started and to eliminate 'the bounce'.

It's not all about business, however, says Sadie.

"The lifestyle is great. I can leave work at three, have a bath and go home or out with my husband, Tom, " she said.

The couple have just celebrated 50 years of marriage.

"Being your own boss is hard work, but rewarding with perks scattered along the way. If I can do it, you can, " she said.

THE "If we can you can" challenge aims to nurture emerging entrepreneurial talent - of all ages and backgrounds - and recapture a spirit of enterprise in the NorthEast.

If you are thinking about starting a business, already running one or about to expand your existing enterprise, why not enter and become the face of North-East entrepreneurship.

* To enter the challenge, visit ifwecanyoucan. co.uk/challenge