Victoria’s only plus sized fashion consignment store is this year’s BCAA Small Business Month Contest winner

We’re proud to announce Fat Sisters Vintage and Consignment as this year’s winner of the BCAA Small Business Month Contest and the $5,000 grand prize. This prize is part of BCAA’s commitment to supporting the amazing entrepreneurs in BC communities. In just 10 months, Fat Sisters has become a community hub - a place where people are seen and valued (and can find super fun fits!). As owner Brenna Strohschein says: “All bodies are welcome in our space, our name is about me and my sister - it’s not only for people who are fat and sisters!”

A spotlight on Fat Sisters Plus Size Vintage and Consignment

In early 2024, Brenna and Erika decided to test the market with a pop-up location after launching their online presence in the fall of 2023. Located in a charming brick building on Government Street in Victoria, Fat Sisters is hard to miss. Its bold name, chosen by sisters Brenna and Erika, reclaims a term that historically was tied to shame. Their goal is to provide access to clothing for people who have a hard time shopping in “regular” stores - offering sizes XL - 6X.

How it all began

Bodies change. “I wasn’t always fat” shared Brenna - and the change was a challenge for her. As many will experience, bodies will evolve over time and often in unanticipated ways. After having her two children, Brenna’s body changed, and she was not ready for the limited access to clothing that came with being plus size. Anxiety hit when she was invited to an in-person work event and quickly needed professional clothes that fit. She realized that if a body is bigger than a standard size 12, you would find yourself limited to mostly online shopping.

Recognizing she was now a part of an underserved market, she wondered what she could do to change it. At first, it felt impossible, and the reasons why were valid. “I’m too busy, too stressed, I have young kids, I can’t do it alone and I don’t have the money to start” said Brenna – a sentiment many can relate to. But after her business coach encouraged her to “just go for it” (and some stars aligned like her sister Erika moving to Victoria) she knew this was an idea she wouldn’t be able to forget.

She started taking things on one challenge at a time. The Government of BC provides resources that helped her tackle the initial steps of starting up. Most importantly she trusted herself and her sister - and knew that together they could overcome any obstacle.

A unique offering to a community in need

When Fat Sisters opened, word spread locally and beyond. People from across Canada who had previously sworn off in-person shopping were visiting and crying “happy tears” when they found options that made them feel seen and special. Although accessibility has always been the goal for the sisters, they didn’t expect opening and running the shop would be so emotional: “We really are changing people by opening a space that sees and celebrates them.”

The store also prioritizes sustainability. Although most items are consigned, the sisters do source items through estate sales and auctions. Additionally, almost everything in the store is upcycled, vendors are chosen for their aligned values and materials like price tags and gift cards are repurposed to reduce waste.

Ultimately, the sisters shared it’s about progress not perfection. Brenna and Erika are focused on learning to maintain a balance of profitability and alignment with core values while also delivering real value to customers.

Early on, Brenna and Erika developed processes with the support of the strong consignment community in Victoria. Although there were some friction points early on, change ultimately strengthened the business model in the long term. Other firsts included sourcing plus size mannequins that represented the people they served and after many hours of research, they found mannequins in the US that better reflected their customers. The sisters are always learning - they take the feedback people share and assess what’s working and where they can do better.

So, what will the sisters use the $5,000 towards? Pretty high up on that list is finally sourcing a masculine-presenting, plus size mannequin to better represent the people who shop at Fat Sisters. It will also allow the sisters to start transforming the store’s basement into a more functional space so they can expand their services to meet the needs of the community - whether it’s weddings, prom or other life events. Whatever enhancements happen at Fat Sisters, it will always be with the goal of making people feel seen and special.

Hard work pays off

It's no secret that it’s hard to make it as a small business. More than a third of small businesses in Canada are not optimistic about the future and over 70% fail because of management issues¹. Brenna works seven days a week between both her jobs and she knows it’s not sustainable. However, hard work is paying off after recently winning five different community awards that recognize local small businesses in Victoria as well as winning $5,000 from BCAA. We’re hoping the positive momentum continues for Brenna and Erika in year two of their business and beyond.

We asked Brenna what’s one piece of advice she would give to fellow small business owners. She shared: “I wasn’t sure I could launch a business with my current life priorities, but with one person encouraging me I felt validated and uplifted. Their belief and advice to not limit myself was what pushed me to start and I am so grateful they did. Starting a business takes action on a lot of little things in the beginning, but all you need to do is start. And if you can be that one person to tell someone else to pursue their goals, then go ahead and do it because you might change their life.”

Are you a small business owner or do you know someone who is? Check out bcaa.com/smallbusiness or reach out to us at smallbusiness@bcaa.com or 1.888.268.2222 to talk to one of our trusted advisors.

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