Inspiring Conversations with Lea Willoya of Costume Design House

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lea Willoya.

Hi Lea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Lea Willoya, and I am an Indigenous woman entrepreneur taking a leap into business ownership for the first time. My aspiration is to establish a sewing and costume shop within my community that offers custom garment production, educational opportunities, and support for fellow creatives in the sewing world.
s a motion picture costumer with IATSE Local 705, I’ve experienced firsthand the challenges brought on by industry strikes and their impact on job availability. These difficulties inspired me to pursue entrepreneurship—not just to sustain myself, but to create opportunities for others in my field as well.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the primary challenges I face as a new business owner is growing my client base and establishing consistent clientele. However, the feedback I receive from those who discover my shop has been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming the value of what I offer. Witnessing this support has been deeply rewarding, and I’m excited to keep growing, inspiring others, and building community through creativity.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My establishment functions as a collaborative, educational, and empowering space for creatives—including students, industry professionals, and anyone looking to start or advance their sewing skills. I offer sewing and costume making lessons for kids, teens, and adults who want to learn or refine their craft. When production or alteration opportunities arise, I also provide those services—creating jobs not only for myself but for others.

In essence, my business serves two purposes: to meet the practical demand for sewing services and to support other local creatives. More personally, this shop is my response to adversity and my way of showing that there is a way forward—that we can build something meaningful even during challenging times.

How do you think about luck?
On one hand, I’ve experienced what I would call “bad luck” through things outside of my control—like the film industry strike, which severely impacted my work as a motion picture costumer. It forced a sudden change in direction at a time when stability felt impossible. But in hindsight, that difficult turn also pushed me to take a leap I may not have otherwise taken: starting my own business.

I wouldn’t say I’ve had the kind of “good luck” where opportunities fall into place easily but I do feel lucky to have the support of those who believe in what I’m doing. Every person who has discovered my shop, shared kind feedback, or showed up for a sewing lesson has helped affirm that this path is meaningful and worth continuing. So while luck brought me lots of challenges, it also led me to build something more empowering and sustainable, not just for myself, but for others, too.

Pricing:

• $85 + Sewing and Costume Lessons
• $500 + Custom Costumes
• $20+ Alterations

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.costumedesignhouse.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costumedesignhouse/#