Chantana Parkinson celebrates 28 years running her tailoring shop in Blackburn after arriving from Bangkok and persevering.
She does wedding dress alterations and everyday clothing repairs. People know her for great work. Her service is very personal.
Evenings found her sewing as a hobby. People liked her work. Chantana used savings to start her shop. She began with one sewing machine in a small, modest space.
Her business grew over time by itself. Happy customers kept coming back. Trust built her strong reputation. Now, she marks 28 years running the shop, admitting it was not always easy.
She sewed in Preston before, but they said she was too slow. Her pay dropped to 99p an hour. She perfected her passion through hard work. This helped her run the business.
Running a shop has problems sometimes. Chantana believes in working hard and wants to give customers her best. Seeing a customer happy is her favorite part. They look great in clothes that fit well.
It is about making people feel good. She arrived with just sewing skills. Now, 28 years later, she still loves her work and Blackburn. Blackburn is friendly, and she is proud to live and work there.
Cllr Phil Riley, who leads Blackburn with Darwen Council, spoke of Chantana. He praises her dedication and resilience. Her story is a superb example of the role small businesses play at the heart of the community. They create jobs, give essential services, and add real character to the town.
The council is proud of her success story. He personally congratulates Chantana now, marking her remarkable achievement.