Dancewear biz climbs Canadian ranks
Since she was six, Ainslie Cyopik has worked to understand and perfect the art of dance.
Gracing the stages of the National Ballet of Canada in Toronto and Ballet BC, it’s a skill she mastered before hanging up her pointe shoes professionally just short of two decades ago.
After her retirement, the Welland native did not shy away from the world she loved so dearly.
Instead, she used her knowledge to launch a successful dancewear company that was recently given national recognition.
Ainslie Wear, run by Cyopik and business partner Terri Margo, was named to spot 84 in Profit and Chatelaine’s 2015 W100 ranking of Canada’s top female entrepreneurs.
The business, launched in 1997, began as a hobby for Cyopik, who used her love of sewing and fashion to create fun and functional bodysuits for herself and fellow dancers.
As her career on stage wound down at age 35, the Vancouver resident began focusing instead on her new path as a designer and business owner. She began selling her pieces quietly within the dance community and has since seen her products traverse the globe with different companies.
Cyopik has worked to perfect the fit of her clothing, wanting to allow dancers to move in a certain way and to feel good while doing it, she said.
For about 13 years, AinslieWear has been the official bodysuit of Canada’s National Ballet School. It is also official wear for the San Francisco Ballet School, as well as other acclaimed academies in North America.
“To see the scale of things, how it’s grown, is amazing,” Cyopik, 53, said during a recent visit to Niagara, where her family still lives. “Everything just started so organically. It has flowed quite naturally.”
But success has not come without hard work, discipline and perseverance — all qualities Cyopik learned inside and out during her dancing days.
She credits her dance training for teaching her the ability to maintain the utmost focus, which helped immensely in her business career.
Since AinslieWear was launched, the company has seen steady growth and now employs 24 people.
“We’ve really shot up over the past three years,” Cyopik said, adding changes have been introduced to help accommodate rapidly increasing demand while maintaining quality.
The dancewear — made in Vancouver and found most prominently in North America, Japan and the U. K. — is sold in 310 retail outlets across the globe, including Dancewear Niagara in St. Catharines.
Cyopik was humbled by the W100 ranking, which is chosen based on company size, growth and profitability.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized for our accomplishment,” she said, while admitting lightheartedly her mind is already focused on next year’s dancewear line.
“We appreciate being acknowledged. It’s an honour — and then it’s back to work.”
For more information, visit www.ainsliewear.com.
Accountants opening
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The new business is hosting a grand opening celebration June 17 from 5 to 7 p. m. at 165 Hwy. 20 W., Unit 4 in Fonthill. Wine, beer and cheese will be served.
All are welcome to attend.