Students at the Needle & Thread Sewing Academy test new sewing machines purchased via our “Machines for Makers” fundraising this fall.
LiveWire Helps Our Sewing Academy Thrive
In a quiet living room in Luling, Louisiana, five children huddled around a few donated sewing machines. They were the first students of Brenda Clesi’s dream; one that was stitched together not just with thread and fabric, but with a deep belief in the power of creativity to transform young lives.
That dream became Needle & Thread Sewing Academy, to teach kids not just how to sew, but also how to believe in themselves. At first, the focus was simple: Teach kids the basics of sewing. But what Brenda witnessed over time was anything but basic. She saw shy students blossom. She saw pride spark in their eyes when they held up something they made with their own hands.
One moment in particular sticks with her. “One of my favorite moments was with a young student who started off extremely shy, barely speaking above a whisper,” she explained. “Over time, I watched her transform through sewing projects. The day she stood proudly in front of her family at our fashion show, modeling a dress she made herself, I realized just how powerful this work is. Sewing isn’t just stitches and fabric — it’s self-expression, and for her, it was the first time she truly saw herself as capable and creative.”
As the academy grew, Brenda found herself facing challenges beyond the sewing room, in budgets, fundraising, and strategic planning. “I’ve always been passionate about teaching kids, but the business side was daunting. Shell LiveWire gave me the tools to put structure behind my passion.” From creating realistic budgets to developing sustainable fundraising strategies, she gained the confidence to approach grants, sponsors, and community partners with clarity. It helped her stop thinking of herself as “just a sewing teacher,” and start owning her role as a business leader. The program also inspired her to launch student-designed fabric collections, real fabric printed with the artwork of her students, which they then use in their own sewing projects.
The LiveWire community gave Brenda more than just tools, however. It also gave her confidence. “My advice to others is simple: ‘Go for it. Don’t think you have to have it all figured out first. LiveWire will meet you where you are, and the growth you’ll experience — in both your business and yourself — is worth every step.”
Today, Needle & Thread Sewing Academy is more than a sewing program—it’s a launchpad for youth leadership, upcycling, and entrepreneurship. And for Brenda, every stitch is a small act of hope.
Shell LiveWire Louisiana concentrates on 13 parishes in South Louisiana. Applicants are accepted from Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes, and welcomes businesses from all sectors. Participants in the program are selected through an application and an interview with a panel of judges comprising Shell leaders, industry, and business representatives who are experts in industry and market requirements.
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