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By Jan Erickson, Owner of Janska, Clothing that Comforts, on starting a business after 50
“Everyone comes to this planet with a gift and I believe one of mine has been the ability to ask myself, “what can I do that will matter to someone else.”
When I was in congregational care, I worked with a woman who had a series of strokes and was dependent on others to get her dressed. The simple task of getting her arm into a sleeve seemed impossible for her. Like so many times in my life, I asked myself that familiar question “how can I help her?”
That night I had a dream that was so vivid I got out of bed and sketched what I had dreamt. It was a jacket that was easy to get on and off, looked fashionable and most of all,it would bring comfort and dignity to my friend Jean. The dream was so strong I could not stop thinking about it. I took my sketch to a cut & sew company that could help my vision become reality.
With one simple design, Janska Clothing That Comforts was born. It started with a simple hope of comfort and has now blossomed into over 60 clothing designs. This year alone, Janska is working toward $2 million in sales.
My life experiences have taught me valuable skills in running a successful fashion company. But it’s my passion that fuels Janska’s success. It’s never too late to allow our ideas to blossom and become reality. There’s no stopping any one of us who believe in something bigger than ourselves.
At the time of Janska’s inception, I didn’t even know how to sew!
Now, with the help of a talented team of creative people who share the dream of Janska, we are able to provide women with comfortable stylish clothing, bringing color, happiness, comfort and ease to the world.
I have never really stopped working and serving others. I’ve found when we love what we are doing, it really isn’t work after all. It's love.
