Meet Dr. Diane Linston

We recently connected with Dr. Diane Linston and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Diane, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Our generosity comes from our deep roots in the Cleveland community and our commitment to using fashion as a tool for empowerment. At Cleveland Cut and Sew, we believe giving back is not just an option—it’s part of who we are. We are inspired by the people around us, especially those who have faced challenges but continue to dream big. That motivates us to share our time, resources, and skills to help others grow.

Our generosity is fueled by the idea that when we lift others up—whether through job training, mentorship, or community programs—we are building a stronger, more creative, and more connected Cleveland. Every stitch we make is guided by gratitude, purpose, and the belief that true success is measured by the positive impact we leave behind.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Cut & sew refers to a manufacturing process where garments are created from raw fabric: the fabric is cut into pattern pieces, then sewn/assembled into finished clothing. It contrasts with simply printing on pre-made blanks.
Wikipedia

In the fashion industry, a “cut & sew company” typically handles pattern making, prototyping, cutting, sewing, finishing, and quality control.

My company also help manufacturing other emerging fashion designers lunch the collection.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and/or Areas of Knowledge

Creativity & Innovation – The ability to generate fresh ideas, adapt designs, and solve problems in unique ways. In fashion/manufacturing, this means keeping up with trends, while also creating distinctive styles.

Technical Expertise – Strong knowledge of your craft (e.g., sewing, pattern-making, fabric knowledge, production processes) paired with business skills (operations, marketing, financial literacy).

Resilience & Leadership – Staying focused under pressure, bouncing back from setbacks, and motivating others. For a business leader, this also means decision-making, networking, and guiding a team toward growth.

The best advise I can give, understand the business. Never stop educating your self. Get mentor and coaches to help you alone the way.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

I recently read a book called Traffic Sales & Profit, written by Lamar Tyler. I attend there conference in Atlanta Georgia. It change they way I do business. The conference made me realize, I have a million dollar business. I read the book about five times. Every time I read the book, I learn something new each time. I would encourage any up coming business owner to read the book. The book will inspired you to dream out side the box, You will make those six figures, in your business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clevelandcut&sew.com
• Instagram: styles_of_imagination
• Facebook: Diane Linston
• Youtube: Diary of a fashion designer

Image Credits

David Clinkscale- Photograph