Neighbor family launches new online boutique
The Neighbor family recently launched Down Right Perfect Boutique. The new online business fulfills mom Brandi’s dream of being an entrepreneur and is helping her son Jason, who has Down syndrome, learn important life lessons.
“In 2017 Jason had major surgery for appendicitis,” Brandi Neighbor said. “We didn’t know he had it for 10 days, and he had gone septic. This fall he has to have another surgery for a hernia. He wants to work and likes to work, so we were researching franchises and businesses in the community. I’ve tried lots of different direct sale businesses, so we looked at online boutiques and graphic apparel.”
Brandi Neighbor and her husband Shawn found a heat press that is easy for Jason to operate. They formed their LLC and in August started making the business official.
“We make cool T-shirts,” said Jason Neighbor, whose title is manager of the T-shirts.
At www.drpboutique.com, you can find their catalog of T-shirt and sweatshirt designs, accessories, luggage, and bags and seasonal items. Customers receive free shipping or local delivery on orders over $50. They also can arrange to pick up their purchases or find select items at Rust Decor.
“Most people want to see Jason come,” Brandi Neighbor said. “Jason hand signs every card with his name for the orders and does the local deliveries here in the area.”
She said they get their designs from wholesale transfer companies and keep their eyes open for what is popular right now with people.
“There is a lot of fall out there right now, and I’m starting with Christmas (designs),” Brandi Neighbor said. “October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so we’ll do that too.”
They are constantly adding designs and have already expanded to include merchandise for men and children.
“We got a lot of requests for that and sports,” Brandi Neighbor said. “You have to be careful with Ohio State, though, because it’s trademarked. We added jewelry for them last weekend, though. I think as we get more items, though, we will scale back and retire some. Right now we want to see what people are interested in.”
At the same time, they also are teaching Jason money-management skills.
“He has his own bank account, and he really wants to learn to drive,” Brandi Neighbor said. “We have two younger teens, and they both drive and have vehicles. He’s 21 and wants to drive. We’ve been teaching him at the campground (we go to) to drive a golf cart, and he wants to have his own. He wants to be like everyone else, and that’s how we tried to raise him.”
The new business also is helping Jason Neighbor work on schedules and routines.
“We are going to get on a schedule for delivering and working on shirts,” Brandi Neighbor said.
Jason Neighbor’s favorite part of the business is seeing his friends.
“Everyone is his friend,” Brandi Neighbor said.
Deliveries are always an adventure with Jason Neighbor.
“We delivered yesterday, and everyone gave him high fives and hugs,” Shawn Neighbor said.
Their goal is to someday have a brick and mortar business.
“He can get in there and work and have a set schedule,” Brandi Neighbor said. “People can visit him too. Jason usually lights up everyone’s day. If you are having a bad day, you won’t after five minutes of being around Jason.”
For more on Down Right Perfect Boutique, visit their website or Facebook page. They also will be set up at the Coshocton County Special Olympics’ food truck and vendor/craft show fundraiser. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18. The food trucks will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days, and the vendors will be set up from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Category: Business
