Saturday, May 05, 2007

Chapter 9 Wow! It IS A Small World!!



Clip clop. Clip clop. The sounds of the footsteps hitting the footpath are brisk and definitely feminine. Short, light steps. Almost musical in their cadence.

It’s a balmy, early November morning. We’re at our monthly event in Mosman NSW, which is on the North Shore of Sydney Australia.

The morning sun is gently kissing our skin and we’re enjoying its warmth and promise of a beautiful spring day. The surrounding trees are already in early leaf and fragrant spring blossoms perfume the air.

It’s a blissful morning and you feel ecstatic at being alive!

The footsteps are getting closer. But still brisk and snappy. This woman has a purpose and knows where she’s going. And we aren’t her destination.

I see her round the corner of our marquee and come to a sudden halt. Almost like a car quickly braking to avoid hitting something. She stops so abruptly, she almost loses her balance.

She looks at our signage, looks at our products on display, reads the sign again, and then looks at Victor, my partner.

“You’re an architect”, she says. “Yes I am”, he answers. “And you designed this ironing board cover, didn’t you”, she asks. “Yes, I did”, he answers.

Victor’s not a morning person. Early AM he’s a quiet man of few words. But seems able to participate in this conversation. Just answer yes or no. It’s simple and doesn’t stretch his conversation skills at this time of day.

She moves around to the front of the marquee and engages Victor in the most fantastic story.

Her name is Jennifer. She lives on the North Shore, not far from Mosman. She’s an architect too.

She has a friend, Olivia, who lives in the United Kingdom.

She’s just come back from a six-week visit with Olivia. While there, she irons every day on Olivia’s Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover. Jennifer loves this cover.

Olivia’s cover is a gift from her sister Catherine, who also lives on the North Shore of Sydney, a suburb away from Mosman.

And Jennifer is determined to find out where to buy this cover now that she’s back in Australia.

Victor, warming to her story, asks her about her architectural background. They discover they both worked for the same architectural practice, albeit at different times. And also discover that early in his career, Victor also worked with her husband, who’s also an architect.

Life is full of surprises. And six degrees of separation.

What Jennifer doesn’t expect, is to discover The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover so quickly. She’s been home only one day. Which is why she comes to a screeching halt when she sees our signage. She’s also delighted to discover how much she has in common with the designer of this product.

Victor, the man of few words in the morning, suddenly becomes absorbed in his new customer’s background and the architectural experiences they share in common.

He packs her order, chats a while longer, then she’s off. With a big wave and a smile.

A very happy lady who sprinkles even more sparkle and brilliance into our now perfect spring morning.

Her parting comment? “I have to travel to the other side of the world to discover some of the best products are made in my own backyard!!”

It IS a small world.

Although we are an accidental business, there are now more than 80,000 Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Covers in use around the world. All thanks to our very supportive customers.

And growing daily.

Since 1994 our covers have been made with love and care in rural Australia by men and women who have a disability. They love what they do and it shows in the quality of our product.

To learn more about The Fitz Like A Glove™ Ironing Board Cover, visit our website at www.interfaceaustralia.com/flag.htm.

To read what our customers say about us, visit www.interfaceaustralia.com/finerpoints.htm.

And there are more stories to come!

'It's 4AM And America Is Calling'
'From A Throw Away Comment An Event Is Born'

It’s always a pleasure to hear from you. Share your stories and comments with me.

Take care,

CAROL

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