Business spotlight: Brentwood's Glamora by Sadia offers high-end women's accessories and more

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

Name of business: Glamora by Sadia
Type of business: Men's clothing, women's purses and accessories
Owner: Sadia Barrameda
Founded: 2010
Address: The Streets of Brentwood, 2475 Sand Creek Road, Suite 112, Brentwood
Phone number: 925-516-4760
Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Number of employees: three
Products and services: Glamora by Sadia is a high-end fashion boutique featuring authentic designer purses and handbags, wallets and other leather goods, fashion accessories, jewelry, shoes, men and women's apparel and exclusive couture created and designed with Sadia Barrameda label using the designer name Sadia Ross.
The store features high-end brand names like Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Christian Dior and Hermes.
How did you get into the business: Having traveled to extensively around the world, Barrameda has seen high-end fashion stores in many cities, but not anywhere in East County. She decided that she would provide a place where local residents can shop in their own community for accessories from high-end designers.
Born in Mindanao, Philippines, where her grandfather rules as Sultanate, Barrameda acquired an appreciation for fine art and high fashion. Her mother, a Mindanaoan princess, was her chief inspiration. She began to cultivate her fashion work through her hobbyas a seamstress and clothing designer, eventually developing her own line of clothing, the Sadia Ross label.
"Glamora by Sadia is an extension of my personality, and of my closet," Barrameda said.
Best part about the business: "Glamora give me a place to showcase genuinely fine products that people don't usually find here in East County," Barrameda said. "Plus, offering my own designs gives people a chance to find one-of-a-kind items here."
Worst part about the business: Like with many businesses, Barrameda said that economy makes it hard for people to indulge in purchasing their favorite designer items.
Key to success: "Finding the right market and letting the community know about our upscale merchandise," she said.
Biggest misperception about the business: "It is always a challenge because people come in and ask if the merchandise is authentic," Barrameda said. "Like they don't think that a store in Brentwood would carry the real name brands."
Future plans: Barrameda is hoping to make Glamora by Sadia a chain store and open new branches in other areas.

-- Roni Gehlke