Today I had the great pleasure of chatting with Susan Romostrowicz who is a sewer for Wike. As we sat down to talk Susan had just completed the seat for a Large Special Needs Trailer. Susan's skill and her investment of care in what she is sewing are immediately and absolutely evident. She has been with Wike for almost four years. This Friday marks a change in Susan's involvement at the company she loves making products that she throughly enjoys being a part of.
Susan was born in England and was taught to sew, both by hand and on a hand machine with treader, by her grandfather, who was a professional tailor all of his life. He took her under his wing when she was six years old and by the age of ten she was a pro able to both tailor and alter garments. Susan also completed a four year apprenticeship program as a dressmaker and cutter in Nottingham before emigrating to Canada in 1966 where she did a variety of jobs including sewing renaissance church regalia such as ministers' gowns, bishops' mitres and altar cloths. 1996 brought with it a diagnosis of breast cancer and Susan wisely devoted herself fully to her recovery. It was when she was completely cancer free and ready to go back out into the work world that she began her time with Wike.
Susan says she sews just about everything at Wike including all regular and special needs trailer parts and accessories such as windows and bolsters, Pioneer covers etc. as well as constructing the prototypes for any new products that might be in the works. She smiles as she tells me that, though she loves everything she makes, the Special Needs Trailer holds a special place in her heart as she imagines that her work is contributing to those, who might otherwise not have a way, to get out into the world, and enjoy the fun of biking in the fresh air and sunshine. She said this is such pleasing and unique work for her. Susan is also a Wike Team leader training new sewers and mentoring and guiding her fellow sewers as needed. She says that she is delighted to share her many years of experience and expertise with the other sewers and has thoroughly enjoyed bringing her knowledge and experience to Wike. When I asked her what she liked the most about working at Wike Susan replied that though she loves the sewing she especially likes the people that she works with. She said flat out that "they all treat you like family!"
Though Susan is retiring as of March 16, 2012, the good news for the Wike family is that she will be continuing to regularly contribute two days a week. She says that she doesn't "want to quit cold turkey" but would rather keep her hand in the sewing and keep in touch with the people at Wike. Retirement will, however, give her an opportunity to spend more time pursuing her other interests, including golfing, quilting, sewing machine embroidery and trips to Myrtle Beach, a place she dearly loves, where she can kick back and enjoy quiet time with her husband. She is also looking forward to spending more time with her four grandchildren, three boys and one girl ranging in age from five months to eighteen years.
Susan told me that above all her retirement goal is to remain as active as she possibly can which is her way of dealing with the Scleroderma, a potentially debilitating autoimmune disease, that she was diagnosed with at ten years of age. She said that positive thinking is very important to her with regards to this condition, that she is a "fighter" and that her cancer diagnosis was a huge blessing in disguise as it reconnected her "with the pure power of positivity" in her life. She also credits her husband as being her rock and the most positive person that she has ever known. He has lovingly supported through her all her health challenges.
As I left Wike after talking with Susan I felt uplifted and inspired by our conversation. "The pure power of positivity." Her words repeated in my head. What a blessing for Wike to have such a lovely lady on their team, so devoted to doing good work. Isn't it nice to know that there is a part of such a wonderful and positive woman as Susan in everything that Wike makes?
Susan completing a seat for the Large Special Needs Trailer
Thank you, Susan, for all you do!
