A young entrepreneur from Tanja plans to continue homeschooling while running a business designing and making gymnastics leotards.
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On Thursday, Indigo Conroy launched her business on the online store Etsy with seven different handmade designs available.
“I thought it would be cool to make my own leotards and have other people wear them,” the 15-year-old said.
“When I see my friends wearing them, it makes me really happy.”
The brand name for her business is ICON Practice Wear, with “ICON” being a composite of Indigo’s first and last names.
Each leotard can take up to a few hours to make and there are various colours and patterns.
They can be used for dance, acrobatics, gymnastics or more.
Indigo said homeschooling had influenced her decision to make the leotards.
“I get a lot more inspired when I’m not concentrating on school and I have a lot more free time to do stuff that I actually like to do,” she said.
It was also a love of gymnastics that influenced Indigo in starting her business.
She first began the sport when she was 11, is a member of Eden Area Gymnastics and in July placed fifth in a state competition.
“It helps me to stay active and fit and I like being able to work with other people,” she said.
“I would love to go to World [Championships] – it’s my dream.”
While she has only just launched her business, she has her eyes set on the future.
“I want it to be reasonably big, but because I’m making them all by myself I don’t want it to get too big so I can’t keep up,” she said.
“Hopefully when I’m older it will still be going so I can expand it more.”
The costumes are now on Etsy, but Indigo hoped to eventually make her own website to sell them on.
When she talks about her plans with other people around the community they are often surprised she has created her own business.
“People often say it’s really cool that I’m doing this at my age,” she said.
On her Etsy page, Indigo talks about how she loved designing her own leotards since she was young.
“Recently I learnt how to sew well enough to make these leotards,” she wrote.
“I was then inspired to create a business out of it.
“I want to make my leotards to the best quality and comfort I can, tested by me and my gym friends.
“I thought it would be a great idea to bring my leos to life and have others wearing them from around the world.”
To see the leotards visit www.etsy.com.au and search for “ICONpracticewear1”.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
