SULTIM
a “leap of faith”
A “leap of faith” means taking a big step into something new without knowing what will happen. In the story, Iris Clarke took a leap of faith when she decided to open her own lingerie store. She had a stable job at Bloomingdale’s, but she wanted to do something for herself. She believed in her dream and took the risk.
I have taken a leap of faith too. Moving to a new country was a big step. I didn’t know what would happen, but I believed it was the right choice. Sometimes, you must trust yourself and take the leap.
online stores
Online shopping has changed how people buy things. Many small shops have closed because people prefer to buy online. In the story, Iris Clarke owns a small shop where she helps women find the perfect bra. This is something online stores cannot do.
I think online shopping is easy and fast, but small stores are important too. They give personal help and good service. If we only shop online, we might lose special stores like Iris Lingerie. I like both, but I think small shops should still exist.
online stores
Online business has expanded opportunities for family-owned shops. Now, owners can reach a larger audience using Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms. I know a fashion designer who creates corsets and takes orders from the USA for European customers. She designs in the USA, sews in Ukraine, and then ships to Europe. In my opinion, if you know how to use the internet effectively, you can gain more opportunities for your business, especially in fashion.
In the movie, we saw how Ines became popular after an article was published about her in the newspaper. More designers and sellers now rely on popular influencers to advertise their products, and it works. You can even have a showroom where customers can choose items, and then you can order and send the correct size to them. This way, you don’t need to keep stock on hand.
a “leap of faith”
I think a “leap of faith” is similar to intuition. In my opinion, intuition is always based on your experience. Often, you do something because you feel it’s the right choice, and it happens unconsciously. However, I believe that only those who have reflected on their actions in life can truly rely on their intuition. If you don’t think before acting, you are more likely to make mistakes, and in that case, intuition becomes less reliable.
1. Online stores have changed the way small businesses can succeed. Have you experienced the disappearance of small family owned shops? Do you support online business, or do you keep shopping in person?
I have worked for El Corte Inglés, one of Spain’s most iconic department stores, renowned for its premium shopping experience, extensive product selection, and strong emphasis on customer service.
In 1934, Ramón Areces Rodríguez and César Rodríguez González purchased a tailor’s shop on Calle Preciados in Madrid, originally founded in 1890 and named “El Corte Inglés.” They retained the name for their new store. Areces, having gained valuable experience at the Almacenes El Encanto chain in Havana (Cuba) during his youth, played a key role in shaping the company’s future. Over the years, El Corte Inglés has become a symbol of quality and reliability in Spain, seamlessly blending tradition with modern retail trends while maintaining its commitment to excellence.
I have worked in multiple departments within the company, but I would particularly like to highlight my role as head of upscale customer service for over 10 years. This position was both a challenge and a significant milestone in my professional growth. Working for El Corte Inglés demands dedication and adaptability, as the ultimate goal is to transform every customer into a loyal client through exceptional service every day.
a “leap of faith”
One year before moving to New York, I took a leap of faith and transitioned my career within the company to pursue my passion for event planning. I joined a wedding ceremony planning company, where I specialized in creating personal, unforgettable, and meaningful celebrations. At the same time, I continued my studies in administration and finance, preparing myself to one day run my own business.
Now, I’m happy to be teaching Hispanic culture immersion through art while also crafting the perfect moments for romantic ceremonies in Spanish—and who knows, maybe in English too!
Ines is shocked when Hannah tells her about the new person she will need to train. What was her reaction? What would you have done in the same situation?
Ines were really shocked and this is understandable. I would have done the same because Hannah is her employer and she can make this decision. It wasn’t easy for Hannah too and she tried to explain it to Ines and offer her another job..
This is a life experience. Try to be thankful for opportunities and go ahead to new goals.
“Shame does you no good. You deserve to feel amazing!”
This is a lack self-love, complex. Very important to understand all of us are unique !
“I’m worried she’ll forget me”.
This feeling is right because a there is no close contact. No matter how good a grandmother is.
“Hannah gave me a family when I was alone in this country. And she taught me a trade. I came here to start over. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Hannah!”
Hannah has a big friendly family and this is very good to be near them especially when you are alone. Hannah has her own business and Ines watched and learned from her. Ines has the same abilities and as a result she started the same business.
“You have to upgrade your phone. You have the money. Just do it”.
Ines is always too busy, works too much and maybe she’s never thought about how to improve her work, to make work more convenient for customers and herself. Often young people are more comfortable with gadgets and her daughter has given her the absolutely right advice in this case.
the mother/daughter relationship
THE BRA WHISPERER is talking about a personal and professional relationship between Priscilla and her mother Ines who was working in that same business field. Priscilla wanted her mother to embrace innovation and evolution by opening her own business. She was advising her mother to move from her old traditional methods and to believe in herself and invest in the future. Her main idea was to adapt her dreams with the modern demands and to believe in long-term investments, self made mindset and independence.
While her mother Ines, traditional and old generation was animated by the fear of failure, which can lead to financial instability and be obliged to restart again at the bottom. She was afraid of building a business based on sacrifice and uncertainty of success. She was protective and worried about an achievement of years of hard work.
A life you actually won’t make. BUILD SOMETHING
This phrase underlines Priscilla’s frustration with her mother’s attitude for refusing to change her mind and taking the risk of setting up her own business. — this means abandoning the potential chance of creating something and construct a new life.
“BUILD SOMETHING” is related to a desperate cry from a daughter who wants to see her mother moving forward.
Of course these words do resonate deeply because it a reminder of being in the same situation a few years ago when I had to decide between continuing my law studies and getting a stable career with a bright diplomatic career or following my passion which was the aviation management career. It implies too much hesitation in your mind and most likely when you are young and dependent….different from Ines’ case because of the fact of age but similar in the sense that in both situations you need to take a risk…. “WHO RISKS NOTHING HAS NOTHING!”
Ines is shocked when Hannah tells her about the new person she will need to train. What was her reaction? What would you have done in the same situation?
Everything was going smoothly for Ines, while a reversal of situation suddenly occurred at her work place. A coworker just informed Ines ( a dedicated worker) that she is going to have a new team member to train. This moment created a certain tension and an emotional shock in Ines who never thought about that. She’s was badly surprised by the notification.
That was visible in the movie by her attitude. And her reaction was a mixture of frustration, hesitation, full of defensiveness and anxiety of getting a new coworker. She might ask herself why was the decision made? Is she going to lose her job? How will it affect her?
This reaction has a universal character. It’s normal that Ines reacts like that. And her shock highlights the balance between traditional behaviors and thinking about running a family business. This kind of situation serves as a reminder for everyone of us: that nothing is forever…and that things can change any moment. In fact it creates the turning point in our life.
Ines is shocked when Hannah tells her about the new person she will need to train. What was her reaction? What would you have done in the same situation?
Her reaction was very quiet. She was shocked, offended, but she kept herself in hand and tried not to show her hurt.
I would have the same behavior in the same situation. I would train the new person, but probably I will break off my friendship with Hannah.
Online vs in-person stores
Fortunately, I have no experience to see the disappearance of small family businesses. It’s sad to see when somebody’s business is collapsing. I support online business. I can save time with its help if I want to buy the same thing, but online stores won’t be able to convey the tactile sensations. Sometimes you need to touch something before buying it.
As I said before I used to work in a store where swimsuits were sold. And that store has an online store too. You can find the interesting models online, but then it will be better to come to the store to try on the swimsuit, and make sure it fits your body perfectly. Every type of bikini top at that store has its own name and form and if you have bought one of them before, you can buy it again, in the same size, but another color in the online store.
Ines is shocked when Hannah tells her about the new person she will need to train. What was her reaction? What would you have done in the same situation?
I didn’t understand why Ines was fixated on Hannah. When Hannah decided to replace Ines with her relative, Ines was upset. Indeed it’s sad, but I don’t know if Hannah promised to do business together with Ines, but it made Ines stronger. She decided to open her own business, and she became successful. It was a blessing in disguise.
At the same time, I didn’t understand why she didn’t want to expand her business. Maybe she’s afraid of change… People are often afraid of changes and prefer to stay within their comfort zone. It’s good that she had a daughter who guided her in the right direction.
Ines is shocked when Hannah tells her about the new person she will need to train. What was her reaction? What would you have done in the same situation?
Anyone would have been shocked in such situation and no surprise; Ines was shocked too. Though Hannah might have no choice other than helping her relatives, at least it would be much more polite and friendly to have a private conversation with Ines, before making such a cruel announcement.
From an outsider’s point of view, this scene may remind how companies fire key employees who suddenly became less important. It is of good practice to announce the dismissal at the most inappropriate moment, not leaving a chance for a person to take any steps against the company.
At the same time, Hannah’s behavior just emphasizes that for her, the family is the top priority and no one beyond the family may count on similar admission, no matter how close you are with this person. This may explain why Ines did not break all the contacts with Hannah at once.
There are two possible ways of answering on “What would you have done in the same situation?”
1) If I were Hannah: for sure, I’d try to help the family, but I would definitely have had a private talk with Ines prior to dismissal, explaining the situation to her, and asking for her understanding.
2) If I were Ines, I’d definitely cut off all the contacts with Hannah. For me, the people who may behave this way are not good for friendship. I’d consider such behavior as a betrayal. Though over the years, you may forget and forgive it, do not be surprised if you face the same behavior again. The one who betrayed once, will betray again!
Online stores
This is a very complex situation. However, there is one thing that can be said for sure – online shopping has turned the whole retail business upside down. Whole marketing strategies had to be revised, reconsidered and adopted to this new and sometimes weird reality. Those who underestimated this new trend were thrown away from the market, and vice versa, those who took right wave are now among the market leaders and trend makers.
Indeed, it’s clearly visible that small family-owned stores are not presented nowadays as widely as they were in the past. But it’s unfair to solely blame the excessive growth of the online retail. It is very difficult to run a small retail business next to a sore owned by a corporation. Most probably, you will not be able to compete, even if you offer a top-quality product, at least because a large company may significantly decrease its expenses using the scale effect.
And the online shopping, which took our minds and wallets entirely, was one of the last bricks that overloaded and sank small family-owned businesses.
You can hardly find a disadvantage of online shopping.
• First – you can go shopping when YOU want and when YOU can, regardless of the store’s working hours. It’s a significant strong point of online shopping.
• Second – look at the window. Do you see a downpour? Where do you prefer to go shopping? I could hardly see you saying: Hmm, what a nice weather. I’ll just take my umbrella, my raincoat, my rubber boots and go to a local store.
• Third – none of the offline stores may compare its nomenclature with ones from amazon.com. By the way, the fact I mentioned as the latest, may be counted not as a strict advantage, but as a weak point as well. A buyer may be confused with the variety of similar products and may prefer to visit a local store, just to avoid making a tough decision while comparing tons of identical goods from different no-name manufacturers.
Having said all the above, for me it’s quite difficult to find strong arguments against online shopping.
As for my personal experience, for sure I support online business, because it’s convenient for me, and as I have no car at the moment, it may be difficult for me to go shopping offline. But what I preferred in the past was a combination of online and offline shopping. There was an electronic store network in my native city that worked 24 hours, 7 days a week, but did not have large retail space. Their stores were like big warehouses with not very large client’s zones and with no retail stands. You might either order something from home or come to the store, use a terminal and order a product right away. Then you pay for your order and in some minutes, you can take your purchase home from this store.
For me it was ideal, because in many cases I had spontaneous wishes to buy something here and now or I might have an urgent need to purchase something new for my smart house, Therefore, it was not rare if I came to the store at 11PM or 4AM. Hence, I did not have to wait for a delivery, I could get a good price, I could check my purchase right at the counter and if it is non-functional – I was able get a refund or replacement right away. For me that was a great system.
Shame does you no good. You deserve to feel amazing!
These amazing words are Iris’s! One of the customers described her job as that of a psychologist as much as a shop owner. And that’s true. Such words are very necessary for women who think too much about their figures. I’m the same. Here, in the US I see some women with imperfect bodies, but they are not ashamed. And that’s very cool!
I’m worried she’ll forget me.
This is true because when children grow up it’s a very important period in their lives. And if their mothers are not with them at this time, then perhaps a connection and understanding between them will not be established. The film shows us that Iris and her daughter had difficulties in their relationship.
My children remained in Russia, but they are all adults I’m still worried too. I want us to be closer.
Hannah gave me a family when I was alone in this country. And she taught me a trade. I came here to start over. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Hannah!
The great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin at the age of 20 read his poem “Ruslan and Ludmilla” to his teacher Vasily Zhukovsky, also a poet. The teacher was delighted and gave him his portrait with the inscription “To the winning student from the defeated teacher.”
I was also a teacher. And many of my students also achieved greater success than me. I understand that this is normal because I’m within the school and they have large spaces!
It’s obvious that Hannah was Iris’s teacher. Iris learned a lot from her, but she moved on in own business. She feels very grateful to Hannah and Hannah should be proud of Iris.
Build something!
Here, Iris’s daughter becomes a teacher for her mother for some time. It happens. Indeed, we are created “in the image of God” And we need to build our own business, our own lives. And never stop… you can only rest!
the mother/daughter relationship
Priscilla advises her mother not to get stuck in routine and fear of change. She reminds her that she came to this country to transform her life, but instead, she has settled into what’s familiar and safe, which is holding her back. Her mother is afraid of uncertainty and the challenges that come with change. She might doubt her abilities or fear losing what she already has.
Jewish traditions
My opinion is that you can embrace and learn about a culture while in someone else’s home, but your own home is your personal space. If continuing these traditions does not disturb your peace or the comfort of your friends, then there is no harm in keeping them. However, if they do not resonate with you personally, it might be time to let them go.
We, the Zoroastrian people, have a wise saying: ’Even the darkest night ends with a bright sunrise.’ This means that hard times will pass and good times will come.
Ines left her job as a nanny in a Jewish family. This change made her life much better later.
The same thing happened to me. I wanted one job very much. When I did not get it, I was very sad. But later I found a better job! This taught me that something that looks bad today can become something good tomorrow…
the mother/daughter relationship
Priscilla was a wise and smart child. She realized that her mother was afraid of something new. Hannah’s job was comfortable for her. She was in her comfort zone and afraid to step out of it. Priscilla understood that it was necessary to keep growing, to work for oneself, and to strive for more.
These words resonate with me. I think we should not be afraid of the new. Where there is fear, there is growth. We need to step into our fear, leave our comfort zone, and move forward.
Jewish traditions
I think Ines doesn’t need to adopt Jewish traditions in her own home. She had to respect these traditions while working in Hannah’s house. Ines has somewhat blurred boundaries between work and her personal life. Yes, it’s time to give them up.
a “leap of faith”
A “leap of faith” is an expression that refers to a belief in something, or in someone, often without tangible proof. It can relate to religious convictions, but also to situations where one trusts a person or a project despite uncertainties.
For my part, as a person of faith, here are some examples:
A person can make an act of faith by moving to a new city for a job without knowing anyone there. They believe that this decision will lead to new opportunities and a better quality of life, even if they have no guarantees.
A- Moving for a job: As I mentioned, someone who leaves their hometown for a new job in another city, hoping that it will bring them better opportunities.
B- Investing in a project: A person who invests money in a start-up with no guarantee of success, simply because they believe in the idea and the team behind the project.
C- Entering into a new romantic relationship by trusting the other person, even if you don’t know how it will evolve.
D- Taking a personal risk: For example, someone who decides to leave a stable job to pursue their passion, such as art or music, hoping that it will lead them to success.
Online stores
Online stores have indeed transformed the retail landscape, providing small businesses with a platform to reach a global audience. This has its benefits, but also its challenges. I personally don’t have any personal experiences or stories. However, I can tell you that the disappearance of small mom-and-pop businesses is a phenomenon that many have observed, especially in smaller cities where large online retailers have taken a significant market share.
As for the question of supporting online or in-person shopping, it’s often a balancing act. Many people appreciate the convenience of online shopping, especially for products that are hard to find locally. However, shopping in person allows you to support local businesses, see and touch products before you buy, and receive personalized customer service.
Personally, I prefer shopping in person! Shopping in person really has its charm. You can really take the time to explore, discover things you would never have seen online, and often, it’s more pleasant to chat with the sellers.
some quotes from the video and my thoughts about them
Priscilla tells her mother that she needs to upgrade her phone. She points out that her mother has the financial means to do so, so there is no reason not to.
Priscilla encourages her mother to find her own space and not live under the influence or shadow of someone else, in this case Hannah. She wants her mother to become independent.
Priscilla expresses her confusion and pain over her mother’s decision to leave her child, especially if it was to come to a place where she would only serve others. She questions her mother’s life choices.
Priscilla points out the irony that her mother came to a new place to build a new life, but in reality, she did not do what it took to achieve it.
Finally, Priscilla urges her mother to take concrete steps to improve her life. She wants her mother to do something tangible and meaningful for herself.
Jewish traditions
In this world no one owes anyone anything unless it’s part of a contractual obligation. Why Ines continued to celebrate Jewish holidays, or just one in particular, only she knows. I can only assume she simply enjoyed doing it. Maybe she became part of a Jewish family. Maybe Ines continues these traditions to honor her connection to the family and the meaningful experiences she had with them, or perhaps they bring her comfort.
Ines is shocked when Hannah tells her about the new person she will need to train. What was her reaction? What would you have done in the same situation?
She is caught off guard, as she likely feels that her role is being undermined or that she’s being replaced, which could evoke feelings of insecurity or sadness. If I were in her place, I would be prepared for such a situation at any moment. I know that family is the foundation of Jewish society and spiritual life, and in any situation, family will always come first. Even if it is a business matter. However even if you are ready for such situations, I would still be upset if I were Ines.
the mother/daughter relationship
What is her mother afraid of? “You came to make a life you actually won’t make. BUILD SOMETHING.” Do these words resonate with you? In what way?
In the story, Priscila gave her mom many pieces of advice, mainly focusing on asking her mom to be independent, to dare starting her own business and build her good life.
“You came to make a life you actually won’t make. Build something!”
The mother, Ines, hesitates opening her own business because she thinks that she will be Hannah’s partner, not competitor. She is grateful to Hannah and maybe she feels guilty if she opens the same bra store that competes with Hannah’s store. She told her daughter: “Hannah gave me a family when I was alone in this country. And she taught me a trade. I came here to start over”. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Hannah!”.
a “leap of faith”
“Leap of faith” means to take a quick and big decision that may be risky and unreal and this is based only on your expectation and hope. It also likes to get out of your comfort zone and try to do the new thing, expecting it will get a good result.
Everybody has to take a “leap of faith” sometime in their life. It could be “changing to a new job” or “moving to a new country” or “getting married” etc. To me, I had to make some similar decisions. But I would like to tell you about my parent’s case that impressed me a lot.
When my mom was 47, and my dad was over 50, they were both engineers in agricultural sector, working for the state-owned company. The salary paid by the state was very low. They were working very hard, even with overtime everyday to cover my big family with 4 children.
That was in the 1990s, when Vietnam started to change from a centralized to market-oriented economy. There was a big lay-off time in the state-owned companies throughout the country. My parents worried so much about it. There could be a big burden to my parents if one of them or both of them could lose their job. I knew my mom did not like her job in the state-owned company. She complained about the low salary and working environment that was not fair and did not encourage staff to work effectively and creatively. She decided to quit her job and start-up a private small business providing silkworm-eggs for silkworm breeding. This business related to the expertise that she had at her previous company.
Private business was not popular in our country at that time. At first, my mom hired only 1 worker, being her niece living in the countryside. Then she had 2 and more workers, in which some of them were her previous colleagues. And my dad also retired earlier to support her. Although my parent’s business was small, it ran well and effectively. Their products were attracted by customers because of their good quality. They earned much more money and were able to support us, me and 3 of my younger brothers to study in college.
I am grateful to my parents and proud of them. They were so brave, taking a “leap of faith” and starting a company at their not so young age.