Lots of news and buzz surrounding me!
There was lots of news and buzz surrounding the brand of doffie. I was determined to live out my dream of using the stage of retail to make my mark and become a household name. I pledged to never err from the high quality products that we made that would become the future heirlooms of families throughout Perth. Over the years the stories and photos have been amazing showing that this is exactly what I achieved. It is endlessly satisfying.
THEN! We won the Phoenix Award.
Things began to change as more women started considering the possibilities open to them by having their own businesses. I began speaking at events encouraging them to do so and talking from my firsthand experience. I met and stayed in contact with a some of those women and I was able to mentor and support them in going for their dreams.
This was a highlight as the then premier of West Australia, Mr Charles Court, presented them to each of us. He was also the Grandfather of some of my neighbourhood girlfriends, in East Fremantle. I often accredited some of the influence of this family and their warmth and inclusion of me as a young girl had an effect on my education in style and design. Later on, when I opened the Dalkeith store, I went on to meet and do interior design work for Jo and Richard Court. Richard at that time was Premier of West Australia.
1989: Rokeby Rd II
Shop (3)
My business partner Jan and I had just moved the store after renovating the building and we were shown the honour of a brilliant feature article and front page cover of the Business Directions magazine which at the time was “the one” to be in!!
The photo’s here show the before and after’s as I branch into having an influence with my interior design flair.
Many changes shaped my future as Doffie over the next 4 years. It began with me buying out my partner in the business. I have since remained the sole owner. There was also a huge impact on the business landscape with the global stock market crash. Then I had the joy of becoming pregnant. So, all of these events shaped the decisions in the short term for my doffie business. I closed the retail shop knowing it was the right decision for that time and knew that later on I would be back.
One of the funny stories that some people still recall is that when I made the phone call for the results of my pregnancy test whilst in the shop at the one and same time the pink bow that was positioned on the top of the shop building right then and there fell to the ground. “It’s a boy”!! was the news received and perhaps this also made me even more determined to carve out the reputation of having as much for boys with choice of stock as I did for girls.
When my son Zack was born the West Australian newspaper announcement read: “Doffie’s best creation yet” and it was wonderful to receive gifts and flowers from clients and well-wishers.
1997: Doffie Makes A Comeback!
1998: Waratah Avenue
Shop (4)
Doffie returns to retail and receives a very warm welcome with flowers and clients calling in with stories and their children now that much older. Again my clients made it a successful move as they made the store the place to shop and word of mouth grew naturally with the assistance also of the Post Newspaper.
One of the features of the event of the Fairy Party was that the shop was straight opposite the park on Waratah Ave in Dalkeith and we created, with the helpers, a crosswalk like a fairy trail, that all the children were escorted across.
The St Hilda’s fire and being able to help a young girl was a great one to share with the community.
