We don’t often (if ever) talk about bras here at Natural Selection Group and for those of us who wear them, we don’t often think about how we put them on – we just do.
Now, think about putting on a bra one handed; adjusting the straps, hooking the clasp. Not easy right? This is a reality for many women with disabilities and finding a bra that is easy to put on, comfortable and looks good is not an easy feat. Meet Rachel Whittaker, apart from being an amazing Natural Selection Group contractor she is also the Founder and Creative Director of Bra Easy, a bra specifically designed to enable all women to dress themselves with dignity.
Rachel is a Project Manager, who we first placed at Bunnings in June. Rachel’s CV was so impressive, an interview wasn’t even required – the job was hers from the get-go and she has been kicking goals from day 1.
We're celebrating our contractors and what they do outside their traditional work commitments, so we caught up with Rachel to find out more about her inspiring Side Hustle.
Tell us about your current role with Natural Selection Group?
I have been engaged at Bunnings HQ infrastructure team working as a Project Manager. They are such a great and collaborative team, I am really enjoying my time there. I even won an award for innovation for the month. Not bad for a new starter!
How long have you been working with NSG and how has your experience been with us so far?
I joined Natural Selection Group at the end of June this year. This was the easiest on boarding experience I have ever had. I Interviewed with Bridget and got the role on the same day. Bridget knows her clients so well and could see a great fit for her client and for me.
Tell us about your side hustle?
I invented a bra you can put on with one hand. It’s now world-famous and our start up is growing slowly. We called it BraEasy because it is. The easiest bra you can put on with just one hand and take off with just two fingers.
Where did you draw inspiration for Bra Easy?
When my daughter was nine years old she was diagnosed with a brain tumour. During the surgery to remove the tumour she suffered a deep brain stroke. After multiple surgeries, chemo and radio therapy she was cured. When she was 15 that’s when I realised due to the stroke she couldn’t put a bra on with one hand. What mum doesn’t want the best for their daughter? This was a problem that I needed to solve.
Tell us about your journey with Bra Easy?
Looking for a bra for my daughter that she could actually put on, I searched the internet even looking at other people’s patents to find something that worked for her. I spoke to a woman who had a patent pending in New York. Sadly she couldn’t get her visions in to a reality. Other women were telling me that they had been looking for something easy as well for years.
I continued searching adaptive clothing companies, I soon learned that there was nothing out there. So out of frustration I sat down at my sewing machine and after a few changes I was able to create something new. I registered my patents, trademarks and found a manufacturer in China that would give it a try. After 12 months we had a real product, that was beautiful and soft.
Now we make sales on our website. With great stories of women who call me to say how much it has changed their lives.
Where can we learn more about Bra Easy?
We have our online shop at https://www.braeasy.com
Our product brings the dignity back to women who have suffered a traumatic injury. Who have broken an arm or a hand, who suffer from arthritic hands, the list goes on. We are very active on social media, for instance @braeasy on facebook, @braeasyofficial on Instagram and we have 24K monthly unique views on Pinterest.
What is next for Bra Easy or for you?
Right now, BraEasy is taking up all my spare time. I love working as a project manager and that has helped me be organised and efficient. I have ideas about bra designs for the future. I even have an idea of a bra you can put on with one finger. So, we are always innovating. We want to be a truly inclusive brand.
