Marcy is my youngest daughter. Several years ago when she found herself in need of a job that she could do from home, I hired her to sew for Ripplewear. It was a bit of a challenge logistically since she lived in Illinois and I was in NH but we made it work. Now she has ventured out on her own, making window covers and screens for Transits and Promasters.
This is her story.
I'm Marcy, owner of Down by the River Curtains. This business started about 5 years ago when I found myself suddenly a single mother to my two very young daughters. My mom presented me with the perfect opportunity: working for her business making window covers for Mercedes Sprinter vans. My mom started teaching me to sew when I was 4 years old. She knew this would be great for me. I was able to work from my apartment while staying home with my girls. I set my sewing machine up in the master closet so that I could work at night when the kids were sleeping and not wake them up. Things went so well that first year that my mom and I decided that I should venture out on my own making covers for Transits and Promasters. It was a little rocky at first, figuring out the patterns and getting the word out. My customers have been instrumental in getting Down by the River off the ground. Helping me get the patterns ready, testing out the prototypes and offering lots of feedback. And so much support in the form of encouraging words and online reviews. Those reviews and social media shout outs really got things going. This business has been a dream come true for me. I take tremendous pride in the quality of my craftsmanship and get so much joy out of my work. I have heard the saying that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Seems to be mostly true. I am able to not only support my family, but spend plenty of time with them as well. The girls love to help out in the sewing room. Almost as much as our dogs. I have been able to train and compete in marathons and triathlons over my time running DBTRC. The only thing my schedule doesn't really allow for is sleep as I sneak off to my sewing room every chance I get. I stay up late and get up early since my solo work time seems to be more productive than when my "helpers" are up. But I just love sewing. And I love my customers who seem to share my zest for living with their adventurous spirits, wanderlust and independence. I definitely love what I do and am grateful beyond words for the welcome I have received into the van life community.