Advice should never be ignored. Pick and choose what is relevant to you but take it all in.
Judith Samson is the founder of Bra Bridge: the hack that solves bra fit problems. A former criminal defense attorney and mom of 3, Judith Samson invented Bra Bridge to combat her own bra and related confidence issues. Bra Bridge is a clip that attaches to both cups of your bra and pulls your chest in and forward, creating a slimmer, more flattering look, and offering more support and security. It comes in colors to match most popular bras (black, nude, white) and will help you boost confidence in your appearance every day!
Where did the idea for Bra Bridge come from?
I created the Bra Bridge out of a personal need. After being a criminal defense lawyer for two decades in the Twin Cities, I noticed my body changing. Things weren’t as perky as before. Being a size 36D, my bust was not something I necessarily wanted to flaunt. One day I looked in the mirror and pulled my bra cups together and quickly realized what a difference a simple fix can make, and the Bra Bridge was born.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
My day is no busier than most women who own two businesses and are mothers of three teenage boys. My day starts out at 7:00 a.m. and goes until 10 p.m. I have always been an organized, well-oiled machine. My responsibilities include multiple court appearances a day at various court houses in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I work on Bra Bridge in between court, whether it’s reaching out to contacts, editors, or producers of shows like View my Deal. Being a lawyer and an entrepreneur are entirely different businesses, yet all involve communicating in an effective and concise manner.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I have never been the type of person to shy away from a challenge. In fact, I thrive on it and always make it a mission to be the best I can be, and that goes equally for being a mother and a wife.
I have always been a creative person—for example, I love to decorate and create abstract art with paint or glass and wood. Once I come up with a design idea, I bring it to life. This was no different with the Bra Bridge. I started sewing the Bra Bridges in my individual bras. Once I knew I had a hit on my hands, I brought the idea to life by designing a discreet clip that easily attaches to the inner cups of a bra so that it does not destroy the bra but it still has a strong hold.
What’s one trend that excites you?
At 48 years old, I recognize that trends come and go. I am so excited to see all the creative and industrial women there are who are starting their own businesses. Women are strong and resilient and we must work together. I have had several mentors along the way and I hope this trend of women helping women is here to stay.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I believe in making lists based on priority and getting everything done on the lists. There’s no room for procrastination when there are that many balls in the air.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Advice should never be ignored. Pick and choose what is relevant to you but take it all in.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Nobody agrees (family primarily) that procrastination can be a deal breaker for an employer.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
The strategy I felt most strongly about was keeping everything in-house. I knew it was important to be the face of the company, because I am the most passionate about Bra Bridge and I understand the benefits of the Bra Bridge.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
One failure I had to overcome was recognizing that there will be many no’s before a yes. In other words, I had to develop thick skin.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
I have had many business ideas over the years, one in particular was a box to wrap the cord of a blind in that attaches to the trim. That way, there are no cords hanging (for safety) and it seamlessly blends in.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was upgrading to economy comfort on an airplane.
What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Bra Bridge immediately decided to use Shopify as their platform to simplify their business.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
The one book I recommend is ‘How To Win Friends and Influence People‘. In all areas of life, communication and how you are perceived are sometimes the most important impact you will make.
What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is from Maya Angelou; ‘My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style’.
Key learnings:
- Engage with other by being positive
- Be passionate about your business, as it will show through
- Learn from others
Connect:
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Bra Bridge on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/334e737cbcd4b6f1a4cdd217428824/?redirected=1
Carlyn runs the day-to-day publishing operation here at ideamensch and interacts with our awesome customers and entrepreneurs. She is likely editing this with a cat on her lap.