Adventures on the high seas, here we come!

[deborah]

Hello everyone. Thanks for all your input to this great forum.

My situation is that I don’t need to start a business – in fact, as someone who now receives a full disability support pension, and who lives in a tenancy-for-life, lovely, inner-Sydney housing commission flat (THANKS to all the wonderful taxpayers of our great nation), I don’t have to work at all!! However, there are many reasons why I will NOT give in and let the MS wholly decide the course my life takes – after all, I was a sailor once upon a time… And a dancer, a writer, a gymnast, a concrete tester, a civil engineer, a fisheries scientist etc. etc. – and am still a gardener, artist, daughter, sibling and friend.

I am also still in the prime of my working life (39), and am now in the process of spending every scarce non-MS minute on what I believe is my most fulfilling project to date – a business that makes clothes patterns for wheelchair-users. There are many manufacturers of ‘adaptive’ clothing out there but I see a real need for clothes for chair-users that are stylish, not just functional.

So, there it is then. I foresee that I will have a visible presence on the main pages as the months before my intended start-up (October 2010), go by. Smooth sailing to all!

Deb

[Burgo]

Good onya Deb, I love people who have a fighting spirit, and good luck with you venture.

Over thirty years ago i was a fashion buyer for Farmer's ( now Myers) and we had a similar problem with our maternity department. No one wanted to produce colourful attractive maternity garments, now look at what is available.
I was lucky enough to have two young ladies straight out of school and I gave them their head, and sure enough they brought fashion and colour into anotherwise drab department. i can appreciate what you are about and I know you will do well, may take awhile but you'll get there.

[petercrocker]

Hi Deb,
Thanks so much for joining us and glad to hear that you've found it valuable so far. All the best in the preparation for October and be sure to post back on your progress!
Cheers,
Peter

[Lucki]

hi Deb,

Welcome aboard and all the best for your future business in 2010.

I know someone in a wheelchair in a nursing home and they often complain about the lack of quality clothing for them. She refuses to wear the hospital like garment with the straps at the back. Can you blame her?

Good luck.

Lucki

[deborah]

Gee, what a lovely lot you are! Many thanks to all.

Deb

[Renee Barber]

Hi Deb

First of all, welcome!

On a personal note, a relative of mine has MS so I really applaud your energy and drive as it's not an easy condition to live with.

In short, good on you and if you need any help getting started, don't hesitate to contact me directly.

[MissieK]

Hi Deb,

Welcome to Flying Solo. What a great business idea you have I wish you all the best with getting it up and sailig.

Melissa

[KarenC]

Fantastic idea Deborah - and I look forward to seeing your designs. I think there is definitely a market for your business idea. I wish you much success.

[deborah]

Recently back from a well-deserved holiday (go, it'll do you good), I'm here to report that the jury is in, and that they did not find in my favour to sell this particular product - wheelchair-adapted clothing patterns for download only.

On the other hand, if I had been willing and able to organise the manufacture and distribution of paper patterns, had the know-how to support customers with sewing advice, and wanted to use cheap e-commerce, the verdict may well have been different.

Using the great insights that I gained during this solo business education, I will now put my spare time and energy into one or two other projects.

By the way, Flying Solo members are invited to my 40th birthday in October (Pyrmont - inner Sydney) - for SMS details closer to the day email phone number to deb.z@iinet.net.au

Thanks all, it's been fun.
Deb

[Numberz]

Hi Deb,

Sorry to hear that idea won't fly (at least for now - don't give up on it). Good luck with your next project.

Cheers
Bruce