A Designer’s Dream Come True

By Ebonie Walker

Janine Adamyk stands with “Celia,” a gown made from Chantilly lace and beaded tule. [Photo © Ebonie Walker]

On the corner of Bronson and Sunnyside, lies a small bridal boutique. Janine Adamyk, the boutique’s owner and namesake, has been operating the store for 23 years but, she has been designing and making bridal gowns since the late seventies. “I didn’t always know that I wanted to own a business, but I always knew I wanted to create. I was always playing with different fabrics.”

Although business ownership was not a part of Adamyk’s childhood dream, she has become quite successful. “Every season is busy, except for December and January. But that is changing more and more. People come throughout the year now, I even have some brides shopping for 2018.”

As the business grows, Adamyk is realizing the importance of maintaining balance. “You have to wear so many hats as a business owner. There is the business aspect, the creative aspect, the marketing…” but in her opinion, learning to balance these tasks is a small price to pay. For Amadyk serving and sharing with others makes it all worthwhile.

To work with the Ottawa designer, a bride must plan well in advanced, as a custom dress takes approximately eight months to complete. However, for the special occasion, Janine will make an exception, “If we drop everything, we can finish a dress in one week, which is stressful but fun, to see a product from start to finish.”

In spite of the stress, Adamyk says the pros outweigh the cons. Her business, like her passion, is one of a kind, and if given the chance to start over, she would do it all again. “This is my dream job.”

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