Local Business
10 Years of Great Fitting Bras
Celebrating 10 Years in Red Deer
We truly cannot believe our 10th Anniversary is upon us. Some days it feels like it was just yesterday we were planning opening day, and other days it feels like 50 years has gone by! Much has happened in our lives in 10 years. We started this journey as 2 passionate kids with big dreams and nothing to lose. We had nothing better to do than work everyday to get Cortney’s idea off the ground and nurture its growth, and ultimately, our own growth. Want to know the story? Pour a glass of wine and join my little walk down Memory Lane.
It was early fall of 2006 when my sister Cortney called me with an idea. She was 22 and working in Northern Alberta in a store that offered home decor, gifts, and a small collection of lingerie. She learned how to do bra fittings and quickly realized that the struggle to find everyday comfort and security for women was a real problem. Once being fitted into a quality, great fitting bra, women would come from far and wide to shop these higher end brands and expanded size ranges offered by this shop. Cortney’s intention was not to stay in Northern Alberta, and saw an opportunity in Red Deer where I was already living and working in an accounting firm. She pitched the idea to me, and while I had more reservations, she made it clear she was going to make this happen whether I was in or I was out.
I will be forever grateful that I took on the challenge and jumped on board.
Cortney put countless hours into planning and researching business plans, inventory, budgets, buying, and so much more. She was up first thing in the morning on her computer, and woke me up late into the evening with a new idea or fact that she couldn’t wait to share. She was the driving force behind the start of this story, and I am so proud of her relentlessness and passion at such a young age. She moved in with Mike and I so we could share expenses and limit taking a wage as we started.
It was agreed that I would quit my full time job and work from home on our financials and bookkeeping while she did bra fittings in our first little space. You remember that space, don’t you? We were in the lower level of a downtown Red Deer building, with no windows and only 600 sq feet of space. Our first fitting rooms felt more like barn stalls, and we had a small collection of inventory. Some of our biggest struggles were advertising and getting people down into our little shop, and then we just hoped and prayed to have the right size to show them. We wanted to have all the answers for the women coming to us with questions, but when starting out so small you just can’t possibly know it all and have all that you need. I would get discouraged, but Cortney always stayed focus on the grand vision. She always kept us moving forward.
We were open Tuesday-Saturday’s, and on Sunday’s and Monday’s we often hit the road with a car full of suitcases, doing bra fittings all over Central Alberta in Curves Gyms and hotels. This helped us expand our reach and share the business with others, which in turn brought them into our store when they made trips to Red Deer. This was a very important part of those first few years.
We expanded that little space three times and made it work for two and a half years, but soon the day arrived that we realized we were ready to move on. The search began! We looked at many spaces all around Red Deer before settling on the end unit in the River Valley Place Plaza. There was much to be done; we built a wall in the middle to create a private fitting room area behind the till, and put a lot of work into organizing a stock room. This was a debate for awhile; did we want our stock out on the floor for ladies to shop for themselves, or did we want to keep it in the back to make it easier on fitters? As you know, we chose to keep it all in a stock room. Some customers have struggled with this choice, wishing they could shop our products for themselves, however this is a choice we do not regret.
We decided early on that our focus would be on customer service and product knowledge. We knew that part of the struggle for women shopping for bras was not understanding the extended size range we offered. We also knew we could better stand behind our products if we were able to ensure fit at the time of purchase. We wanted to be able to take control and educate women on proper fit, knowing how inconsistent sizes could be between styles, materials, and brands. We also saw women stuck in what they thought they knew about proper fit, thinking push up bras were the only way to get lift, and that “back fat” was worse than breast tissue pouring out of the cups. We felt it necessary to share with them the importance of snug bands and deeper cups, and the only way to prove this was to get them into our fitting rooms. So we stuck to our belief and built that space, and the next, to have an organized stock room – and I would say that was a major key to our success.
Fast forward to space number three, and our 10th year in business. 3 kids, 0 maternity leaves, 2 weddings, and 2 first home purchases later, it all kind of feels like a blur. Starting a family at the same time as building a business can be really draining. You’re up all night with a newborn but having to do payroll the next day. Or you think you have a Saturday off to clean the house, but a staff member calls in sick. At the end of the day, YOU are your business. And as you know, our Mom passed away when we were teens, so we didn’t have anyone helping us to manage being new Mom’s and running the store. There were many deflating, exhausting, tear filled days and nights, but there have been many elated days and nights knowing we were pushing through and making it happen for ourselves. One memory that stands out as a perfect example of trying to balance home and work is one fall afternoon in 2011. Cortney was working a very busy Saturday, the store was filled with customers, and Mike and I were painting the space we are in now, preparing for our next move. I had posted on Instagram a picture of myself covered in paint, and only minutes later received a call from my panicked Auntie who had our 3 year old at her house for the day. Maddy had fallen off a chair and re-broke her arm, only weeks after having the cast off from a summer break. Everything stopped and off we rushed to hospital. I felt enormous Mom Guilt that I had not been there with her, spending yet another Saturday nurturing our business when I should have been home with her. THAT sums up my first 10 years in business perfectly – a whole lot of Mom Guilt, combined with passion for a business that meant so much to us.
Ahhh… 10 years. So much has happened. A lot of grind work and hustling, but a whole lot of accomplishment and excitement. We are very proud, and even more relieved, to have those years behind us. We feel really great about the foundation we have laid with the help of dedicated staff and the support of the Central Alberta community. We feel even better knowing that the newborn stage is well behind us, for both the business and babies! Somehow we managed to pull it all off, and we are looking forward to a far more predictable next decade. Now we have confidence and experience, and a dedicated team of women who continue to share our passion for customer service with new and returning customers.
That’s our story. I love taking that walk down Memory Lane. Its funny the feelings it conjures up, but the best feeling is knowing the love and support we have received from this community. A funny little coincidence; we grew up in Sundre and moved north when we were teens. Coming back to Red Deer was like coming home, and our Dad tells us now how much our Mom loved Red Deer. She was a country girl at heart, but loved the excitement and lights of this little city. It’s really incredible that we are here now, with so many reminders of her everyday. Coincidence? Not likely.
Thank you, family, friends and community, for supporting 2 passionate girls as they ventured out and tried something incredible. Thank you for sharing us with your own friends and family, putting your trust in us to offer women you love important service and quality products that change lives. We are grateful for all this community has given to us, and we promise to continue giving it right back through everyday fittings and supporting important local causes. We are big believers in the power of WOMEN! And we promise to “lift and support” the women around us in every way we can!
The Bra Lounge, Be Your Own Beautiful
You’ve got the freedom to be yourself
And when they see the woman inside,
You wont want to be anybody else!
We see your confidence, we see your strength
Your power, passion and your grace.
If you’re looking for that new attitude,
The Bra Lounge – Be Your Own Beautiful!
Arts
CFR Rodeo, live music, street dancing, art, theatre and more downtown celebrations..

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Business
My European Favourites – Segovia, Spain

Spain is one of our favourite countries to visit in Europe. The warm sunshine, the history, the architecture, the gastronomy, and above all, the passionate and friendly people make it a desirable location. We have been to Spain with sightseeing groups, school groups and soccer groups. Madrid, the Spanish capital is always included in our itineraries. In addition to exploring the city, there are numerous worthwhile day trips to surrounding towns. Segovia is one of those towns.
Segovia is located about an hour northwest from Madrid and the day trip is sometimes combined with a stop in the nearby medieval walled city of Ávila. Segovia is just inside the large northwestern Castile and León region of Spain. The region consists of an expansive high plateau surrounded by a ring of mountains.
Segovia’s old town is perched high on a rocky hill surrounded by the Eresma and Clamores rivers. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, the old town features an impressive cathedral, numerous Roman churches, a Jewish quarter, and the striking Alcazar or castle. The town is full of Roman and medieval structures including the massive Roman aqueduct.
A Brief History Of Segovia
There was already a settlement by the Aravaci, a Celtic people, for over 600 years in Segovia prior to the Romans arriving in 96 BC. The Romans installed a military installation here to control access to the Douro River region in the north, and they built the aqueduct to bring in fresh water from the surrounding mountains. After the Romans left, Segovia was inhabited by people from northern Europe until the Spanish invasion by the Moors in the early 8th century.

Panoramic view of Segovia with the Cathedral at the centre.
After the reconquest by Christian Kin Alphonso VI in 1079, Segovia was resettled by Christians. Numerous parishes and monasteries were established in area. Due to its location on main trading routes, Segovia reached its golden age during the middle ages due to the foundation of a cloth industry. The town experienced a rise in the Jewish population and became an important centre for wool and textiles.
In the 13th century, Alfonso X, King of Castile, León and Galicia, made Segovia his residence.
Later in the 15th century Henry IV, King of Castile, also made Segovia his residence, built important buildings, renovated the Alcazar, and made Segovia the site of the Royal Mint.
Segovia is also known as the place where Isabella the Catholic pronounced herself Queen of Castile in the church of San Miguel in 1474. Afterwards, she married king Ferdinand II, King of Aragon, to create a unified Spain. They are probably best known for financing the voyages of Christopher Columbus.
In the mid 16th century there was a revolt by the citizens of Castile against King Charles I and his administration. The “War of the Communities of Castile” lasted 18 months from April 1520 to October 1521. One of the rebel leaders, Juan Bravo, was from Segovia and has a statue in the main square. He was captured in the Battle of Villalar along with two other prominent rebel leaders. They were beheaded the following day. Despite the rebellion Segovia remained prosperous and the population grew to approximately 27,000.
Segovia’s decline started with an outbreak of the plague in the late 16th century and then mostly by the subsequent 17th century collapse of the textile industry. By 1694, the population dropped to just 8,000. Later attempts to revive the textile industry by King Charles III failed. In 1764 a military academy, the Royal School of Artillery, was established and is still in operation. In 1808, during the Napoleonic wars, Segovia was sacked by French troops.
19th century Spain had three Carlist Wars related to claims to the throne of Spain. During the first Carlist War, Segovia was unsuccessfully attacked. Since then, it has escaped military destruction, including during the Spanish Civil war from 1936 to 1939 that pitted the Republicans against the Nationalists led by Francisco Franco. In fact, since 1920 the population of Segovia has grown from 16,000 to over 50,000 in the early 80s. The population has stabilized in the last 40 years and the economy along with it.

The Roman Aqueduct, the Candido restaurant, and the aqueduct from the Plaza del Azoguejo.
The Roman Aqueduct
Our walking tour begins at the Plaza del Azoguejo and you can find a google map of our walk at www.azorcan.net/media to follow along. Once a market place, the plaza is located at the foot of the colossal Aqueduct of Segovia. The 28.5 meters tall aqueduct bridge, known locally as El Puente (the bridge), is one of the best preserved in the world. Built by the Romans at the end of the 1st century from stacked granite, the aqueduct transported water over 15 kilometers over rolling hills from the Sierra mountains to the town. The pillars and arches are solid rock with very little mortar in between. The aqueduct continued to supply water for many centuries after being built by the Romans and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Spain.
The Artillery Academy of Segovia, which recently celebrated a 250 year anniversary in Segovia, is located a few blocks from the plaza in a former 15th century Franciscan convent with an interesting Gothic cloister.
Located in a half-timbered house on the south side of the Plaza del Azoguejo, you will find the famous Cándido restaurant. Since 1905, three generations of the Cándido family have been serving their famous suckling pig, stews and wines. The official Tourist Office of Segovia is located across the square from the Cándido. From the plaza, we will walk up the Calle Cervantes. Calle means street, and this one is named after the most famous Spanish literary figure, Miguel de Cervantes. Cervantes is best known for being the author of the literary classic, Don Quixote.

The Miradouro de la Canaleja, the panoramic view, and an interesting building at the viewpoint.
The Medina de la Campo and the Jewish Quarter
About 200 meters from the Plaza del Azoguejo, we arrive at an observation terrace named the Mirador de la Canaleja. Here we can admire a fantastic panoramic view of the lower town’s pastel colored buildings with red roof tops.
There is an interesting light blue building on the north side of the Mirador with three stacked sunrooms. We walk along the side of this building on the Calle Juan Bravo, the street named after Segovia’s rebel leader. A few steps away on the right is the eye-catching Casa de los Picos. The 15th century historic Gothic-Renaissance building is decorated with numerous pyramids or diamond tips made from granite and now houses the School of Art and Superior Design.

The Palacio de Cascales façade, the narrow Calle de Juan Bravo, and the Casa de los Picos.
A bit further on the Calle Juan Bravo we will come upon a little plaza on the left that leads to the Palacio de Cascales. The palace is known by a few names from its past including the Aspiroz or the del Conde Alpuente. Nowadays, it is used for the offices of the Ministry of Development of the Junta de Castilla y León. The palace was built in the 15th century by a prominent knight from Segovia named, Alonso Cascales. Its façade features Gothic windows, a unique pattern on the walls, and a Moorish or Mudejar arch kept from the original Arab building that was once there.

The Church of San Martin, statue of Juan Bravo in front of the Tower of Lozoya, and one of our school soccer academy groups.
A short distance away along the Calle Juan Bravo is the square of Medina del Campo. The square contains three notable buildings, the house of Juan Bravo, the Tower of Lozoya and the Church of San Martin. The 14th century rectangular shaped Tower of Lozoya, was once used as an armoury. The tower is now used to exhibit contemporary art. The 12th century catholic Church of San Martin, at the centre of the square, is an interesting mix of Arabic and Romanesque elements.
Moving forward on the Calle Juan Bravo, we will reach the small square Plaza Corpus. The square is named after the Corpus Christi Church which is located on the left side of the square. The church was once the largest Jewish Synagogue in Segovia starting in the 13th century. You can visit the interesting church that was converted from a synagogue in 1410 as it is open to the public.
At the Plaza Corpus you will reach a fork in the rod. The Calle la Juderia Vieja (Old Jewish Quarter Street) is on the left, and as the name implies, it leads to the Jewish Quarter. We will take the Calle Isabella la Catolica (Isabella the Catholic) on the right to the Plaza Mayor (Main Square).

Entrance to the Corpus Christi Church. The town hall and cathedral on the Plaza Mayor.
Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is the central hub of the town of Segovia. The large rectangular cobblestone square has a performance gazebo at its centre surrounded by trees. The square was once a market place in medieval times, and Segovia’s citizens still meet here to celebrate festivals and to enjoy the numerous bars and restaurants spilling onto the square from the arcades. The square still hosts a market every Thursday. The La Concepción on the north side of the square is a bit pricy, but its terrace is a great place from which to people watch. Next to the restaurant is the 17th century Segovia town hall.
On the east side of the Plaza Mayor is the Juan Bravo Theatre. Built in 1917 and refurbished in the 1980s, it is the principal theatre of Segovia. A few steps away on the south east of the square behind the luxury priced Villena restaurant is the 16th century gothic San Miguel Church.
The church is famous for being the place where, in 1474, Isabella the Catholic was crowned Queen of Castile. Exploring the maze of alleys and squares behind the San Miguel Church, you will find various interesting and moderately priced bars and restaurants. The El Sitio and the El Figon de los Comuneros are two great choices for lunch.

The Segovia Cathedral on the Plaza Mayor and a panoramic view of the cathedral and its tall tower.
Located on the west side of the square, the main building on the Plaza Mayor is the Cathedral of the Assumption. As the highest point of Segovia, the cathedral, built in late gothic style between 1525-1577, can be seen for miles around. Construction began after the original cathedral, located near the Alczar, burned in 1520. The cathedral can be toured and the view from the cathedral tower is memorable.

The Tower of John II at the entrance to the Alcazar, the Weapons Patio and the Clock Yard.
Segovia Alcazar
From the cathedral, we will walk about 600 meters on the Calle Marques del Arco which becomes the Calle Daoiz to the Plaza la Reina Victoria Eugenia (Square of Queen Victoria Eugenia). The Queen’s square is a nice garden located at the forefront of the entrance to the Alcazar. In addition to the imposing castle façade, there are great views of the Spanish countryside from the garden. On the left, there is a building called the Casa de la Química. There is a cafeteria there with a nice terrace with an amazing view of the town. There are better places for a meal, but it’s a good place to enjoy a drink under the shade of a patio umbrella on a hot day.
Like most fortresses, the Alcazar is built on an elevated area that offers a natural defensive advantage. The Alcazar’s site, on a large rock promontory at the spur of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, was a fort during the Roman occupation in the 1st century. Since Roman times, the castle has been rebuilt and expanded many times over hundreds of years by different people including the Romans, the Muslim Umayyad Dynasty in the 8th century and eventually the Spanish in the 12th century. Over time, the Alcazar has been used as a fortress, a royal palace, a prison, and a military school. The picturesque Alcazar is now a museum, a major tourist attraction, and one of the most recognizable castles in Europe. The original building from the 13th century was painstakingly restored after a devastating fire in 1862.

Statue of Ferdinand VI, the Armoury, the Throne Room, the Chapel and a panoramic view.
Approaching the Alcazar from the Queen’s square, we are faced with the imposing Tower of John II and the draw bridge. Once inside there are two staircases with 156 steps leading to the top of the tower where you can enjoy a great view of Segovia. Entering further, we arrive at the first major open area of the fortress, the Parade or Weapons Patio with a colonnade and upper walk way. This is the largest open space in the Alcazar, and along with the next outdoor area, the Clock Yard, has a great deal of Moorish influence.
At the back of the fortress, there is the Armoury with medieval flags, lances, swords, knights armour and even armour for horses. The “V” shaped well terrace at the very back looks like the bow of a boat gives the castle the appearance of being a large rock ship. The Alcazar’s garden, with shrubs in geometric shapes, is also located at the back of the castle.

The Alabaster Hall, stained glass with the Spanish coat of arms and the Armoury.
Other interesting rooms include the Chapel, Throne Room, Royal Bedrooms, a Pineapple Room, the Alabaster Hall and the Kings Hall with 52 sculptures of kings that ruled the area for hundreds of years. The Museum of the Royal Artillery School in the Alcazar contains documents, scale models, weapons and uniforms from the 18th and 19th centuries. At the base of the castle and along exterior of the city walls there is a network of connected gardens and wooded areas.

The Monastery of Santa Maria del Parral and the Church of Vera Cruz.
View from the Alcazar
From the Alcazar’s Tower of John II, you will have a great view of the surrounding area’s rolling hills, churches and monasteries. You can’t miss the impressive 15th century Monastery of Santa Maria del Parral that was founded by Henry IV of Spain. The monastery’s church was built in gothic style, while the later built bell tower has a Romanesque top. The monastery, currently owned by the Order of St. Jerome, has four interesting cloisters in built in various architectural styles.
Looking to the left from the monastery, we see the tower of the Romaesque Church of San Marcos at the bottom of a winding road. As we look up along the road, we will see the larger Convent of San Juan de la Cruz on the left and the unique Church of Vera Cruz on the right. The Church of the Vera Cruz was founded by the Knights of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 1208. The Romanesque style church was built in the shape of a twelve-sided polygon with three semi-circular chapels. The design of the church was inspired by the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem that the order was named after.

El Sitio restaurant, sucking pig, patatas bravas, tapas and sangria.
Dinner
Segovia is a great place to enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine and in restaurants with matching architecture and atmosphere. The local specialities include roasted suckling pig (cochinillo), suckling lamb (lechazo), Cantimpalos chorizos, wild mushrooms and a traditional layer cake named Ponche Segoviano.
One of the best places to enjoy a meal in Segovia is near the aqueduct. We have already mentioned the famous Candido restaurant and dinner upstairs with a view of the illuminated aqueduct as a backdrop is a memorable experience.
On the Calle De Cevantes, not far from the aqueduct, there are two more great restaurants serving traditional dishes. The Conde Duque, one of the oldest restaurants in Segovia, has a unique interior while the Asador El Bernardino has a terrace with a great view.
On the Plaza Mayor, we wrote about enjoying a drink and people watching at La Concepción. Near the square we have three recommendations. El Figon de los Comuneros is a great place for sampling local tapas. At El Sitio you can have a nice traditional meal or try their pinchos in the bar area. The Restaurante Jose Maria has excellent wines, a tasting menu and a nice selection of tapas at the bar.
After dinner at any of these restaurants, you may want to take a walk of the historic centre with all the town’s monuments lit up.
Let’s Go To Segovia
Segovia is a great place to visit at any time of year, and you can easily spend a couple of days exploring the town’s historic buildings, walls, churches, monuments, narrow streets, shops, museums, bars, cafes and restaurants. The town is also known for two special religious events, the Holy Easter Week (Semana Santa) and the Three Kings parade (los Reyes Magos) held on January 5th.
Segovia is well worth the journey from the hustle and bustle of Madrid and is one of my favourite destinations in Spain. If you get a chance to visit the town, I think you will agree.
Explore Europe With Us
Azorcan Global Sport, School and Sightseeing Tours have taken thousands to Europe on their custom group tours since 1994. Visit azorcan.net to see all our custom tour possibilities for your group of 26 or more. Individuals can join our “open” signature sport, sightseeing and sport fan tours including our popular Canada hockey fan tours to the World Juniors.
At azorcan.net/media you can read our newsletters, listen to our podcasts and view maps related tour all of our “My European Favourites” stories.
Images compliments of Paul Almeida and Azorcan Tours.
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