when a hobby becomes a business that saves lives!
When a Hobby Becomes a Passion with a Purpose.
Posted by BTCCONNECTIONS on APRIL 30, 2019
Sometimes there is a voice inside your head, you know the one, the one that urges you to take a leap of faith, to try something new. The one that empowers you to grow as a person, as a professional. Sometimes that voice is quiet, barely audible, drowned out by the other voice that might convince you to stay where you are and not take the risk. But then, sometimes it is loud and relentless and will not be ignored.
For Brinda Norton, that voice gained its strength after the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. As an employee of BCPS for 27 years, a spouse of an employee and grandmother of Broward County students, her life is emersed in the culture that is BCPS. She saw the new reality which our district had entered, through several different perspectives, and she wanted to do something about it. Brinda immediately knew that she had a talent and skill that she could offer, one that would help to protect her family and friends.
Growing up in a sewing family, Brinda started early helping out her mother who ran a dress factory in Hollywood, FL. She learned how to sew by the age of six and would work at the factory during her summers. Sewing was a fun, calming, relaxing way to express herself. It still is, only now her sewing is geared for safety.
When feedback came out suggesting that schools needed to shade windows into classrooms during code reds drills, Brinda was already in development. She had created a prototype for her office to use when they were closed for business and with some tinkering, and maybe a little bit of pixie dust, a design was ready. And with it came the opportunity to learn more about starting a business, Lockdown Door Shades.
With guidance, perseverance, and help from family and friends, Brinda was able to navigate her way through all the red tape involved with obtaining a corporate patent, legal and tax work, trademarks and more. She designed her logo, created her website on her own, ran her social media campaigns all while working her full-time job. Her entrepreneurial spirit thrived!
Orders started coming in from all over the country, and now, after a year in business, she has Lockdown Door Shades in 17 locations in Broward County alone. With over 100 sizes posted to her website, Brinda can pretty much fill any order that comes her way. However, having complete control of her company gives her the ability to do custom work, and know that it is being done right. From measuring, cutting the fabric, sewing it all together to installation, she is there every step of the way.
After completing a year in business, Brinda was granted her Woman Business Certification. In addition, she also has become an approved vendor for the School Board of Broward County and Miami Dade County Public Schools. Other certifications include Florida Public Schools Contractor, Florida Department of Management Services, Office of Supplier Diversity and memberships with Preiscope Holdings Inc., BidSync, My Florida Market Place, and DemandStar.
https://btcconnections.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/when-a-hobby-becomes-a-passion-with-a-purpose/
Posted by BTCCONNECTIONS on APRIL 30, 2019
Sometimes there is a voice inside your head, you know the one, the one that urges you to take a leap of faith, to try something new. The one that empowers you to grow as a person, as a professional. Sometimes that voice is quiet, barely audible, drowned out by the other voice that might convince you to stay where you are and not take the risk. But then, sometimes it is loud and relentless and will not be ignored.
For Brinda Norton, that voice gained its strength after the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. As an employee of BCPS for 27 years, a spouse of an employee and grandmother of Broward County students, her life is emersed in the culture that is BCPS. She saw the new reality which our district had entered, through several different perspectives, and she wanted to do something about it. Brinda immediately knew that she had a talent and skill that she could offer, one that would help to protect her family and friends.
Growing up in a sewing family, Brinda started early helping out her mother who ran a dress factory in Hollywood, FL. She learned how to sew by the age of six and would work at the factory during her summers. Sewing was a fun, calming, relaxing way to express herself. It still is, only now her sewing is geared for safety.
When feedback came out suggesting that schools needed to shade windows into classrooms during code reds drills, Brinda was already in development. She had created a prototype for her office to use when they were closed for business and with some tinkering, and maybe a little bit of pixie dust, a design was ready. And with it came the opportunity to learn more about starting a business, Lockdown Door Shades.
With guidance, perseverance, and help from family and friends, Brinda was able to navigate her way through all the red tape involved with obtaining a corporate patent, legal and tax work, trademarks and more. She designed her logo, created her website on her own, ran her social media campaigns all while working her full-time job. Her entrepreneurial spirit thrived!
Orders started coming in from all over the country, and now, after a year in business, she has Lockdown Door Shades in 17 locations in Broward County alone. With over 100 sizes posted to her website, Brinda can pretty much fill any order that comes her way. However, having complete control of her company gives her the ability to do custom work, and know that it is being done right. From measuring, cutting the fabric, sewing it all together to installation, she is there every step of the way.
After completing a year in business, Brinda was granted her Woman Business Certification. In addition, she also has become an approved vendor for the School Board of Broward County and Miami Dade County Public Schools. Other certifications include Florida Public Schools Contractor, Florida Department of Management Services, Office of Supplier Diversity and memberships with Preiscope Holdings Inc., BidSync, My Florida Market Place, and DemandStar.
https://btcconnections.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/when-a-hobby-becomes-a-passion-with-a-purpose/