AEDC helps start new business in Keene
MARTHA ALLEN, News Correspondent
KEENE VALLEY — Tsermaa Dalai Plumley is starting her own couture and custom tailoring business in Keene: Sky Ocean Designs.
The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation in Saranac Lake provided financing for her new business through their Minority and Women Business Entrepreneur Loan Program.
“I design clothing, draft patterns and make clothing,” she explained. “I already have orders.”
The orders are for custom, individually tailored articles of clothing. She also makes accessories like purses, hats, even checkbook covers. She uses a range of fabrics, notably cotton, silk and velvet. Her work has a definite Asian flair, with detailed ornamentation and tailored fitting, while also designed for comfort and ease of motion.
Her maiden name, Dalai, means ocean, she explains, which inspired the name for her business. As a young girl in Mongolia, she learned English from Christian missionaries, and she met Dan, her
future husband, serving as his interpreter when he was on a trip to Mongolia. She has always liked to sew and embroider, and has continued to study couture over the years. Living in Keene, she said, she is likely to be needed more for her dressmaking skills than for her skill as an interpreter.
It was a sunny October day, past peak leaf season, but the maple trees were still bright around the Plumley home in Keene when AEDC Executive Director Michael Conway paid a visit to see her new studio.
A room of the Plumley house has been fitted out with a new table, commercial sewing machine and four-thread serger, dressmaker’s models, books and tools. Curtains, chair covers, pin cushions and compartmentalized hanging storage pockets were all made by Tsermaa because, however practical, “Everything has to be beautiful!” she emphasized, smiling.
After learning from AEDC counselors how to put together a realistic business plan, she was awarded a $10,000 loan. This is what is called a micro loan, Conway explained, adding that it is difficult to obtain a business loan of this type from a bank. The AEDC encourages small businesses, like Sky Ocean Designs, that are suited to the region.
A spiritual person, Plumley said, “I asked God, ‘If it is your will, please open doors for me for my business.’ And I thank God and my husband (Dan Plumley) and the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation...”
“You should thank yourself, too,” Conway told her, urging her to take credit for her own hard work.
“Tsermaa’s intelligence, drive and passion are evident from the first moment you meet her,” Conway stated, predicting, “She will be successful in this endeavor.”
Dave Plumley, Dan’s brother, of River’s Edge Services in Jay, contracted to have a poplar work table custom built for Sky Ocean. He is “Uncle Gizmo” to Evella, Dan and Tsermaa’s daughter, a sixth-grader at Keene Central School. Computer skills are at the top of the list of his accomplishments.
The commercial grade machines and tools, the furnishings — everything for Sky Ocean — was found locally, Tsermaa says. In particular, the H & J Puding company, of Redford, has been of immense help to her in supplying and servicing sewing machines, she said. But her couture secrets come at least in part from Asia. The loan will pay for a three-week trip to Ulaanbataar, Mongolia, where she will go through further intensive training in designing, grading and pattern sizing, tailoring and other aspects of the dressmaker’s trade. There, she will also spend time with her family.
“I want to see my mom,” she confided.
Tsermaa Dalai Plumley left for Mongolia on Monday, Oct. 20. When she returns, she expects to get to work sewing clothing and creating small items, such as purses and hats, to offer for the holidays.
According to a written statement provided by Conway, “This type of loan is ‘right down the fairway’ for us as far as micro lending. An additional spin-off is that she will purchase her reconditioned sewing equipment from a local vendor and is having her production table custom designed and made by a local wood artisan... Providing capital to help highly creative, home-based business owners succeed is as important as providing them the Internet connectivity that will permit them to reach a wider market.”
The AEDC is a private, not-for-profit economic development corporation, with staff available to help with individual counseling, specialized training programs, workshops and seminars. Its main office, in Saranac Lake, may be contacted at 891-5523 or at info@aedconline.com.
POSTED: November 6, 2008
Photos
The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation in Saranac Lake provided financing for her new business through their Minority and Women Business Entrepreneur Loan Program.
“I design clothing, draft patterns and make clothing,” she explained. “I already have orders.”
The orders are for custom, individually tailored articles of clothing. She also makes accessories like purses, hats, even checkbook covers. She uses a range of fabrics, notably cotton, silk and velvet. Her work has a definite Asian flair, with detailed ornamentation and tailored fitting, while also designed for comfort and ease of motion.
Her maiden name, Dalai, means ocean, she explains, which inspired the name for her business. As a young girl in Mongolia, she learned English from Christian missionaries, and she met Dan, her
future husband, serving as his interpreter when he was on a trip to Mongolia. She has always liked to sew and embroider, and has continued to study couture over the years. Living in Keene, she said, she is likely to be needed more for her dressmaking skills than for her skill as an interpreter.
It was a sunny October day, past peak leaf season, but the maple trees were still bright around the Plumley home in Keene when AEDC Executive Director Michael Conway paid a visit to see her new studio.
A room of the Plumley house has been fitted out with a new table, commercial sewing machine and four-thread serger, dressmaker’s models, books and tools. Curtains, chair covers, pin cushions and compartmentalized hanging storage pockets were all made by Tsermaa because, however practical, “Everything has to be beautiful!” she emphasized, smiling.
After learning from AEDC counselors how to put together a realistic business plan, she was awarded a $10,000 loan. This is what is called a micro loan, Conway explained, adding that it is difficult to obtain a business loan of this type from a bank. The AEDC encourages small businesses, like Sky Ocean Designs, that are suited to the region.
A spiritual person, Plumley said, “I asked God, ‘If it is your will, please open doors for me for my business.’ And I thank God and my husband (Dan Plumley) and the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation...”
“You should thank yourself, too,” Conway told her, urging her to take credit for her own hard work.
“Tsermaa’s intelligence, drive and passion are evident from the first moment you meet her,” Conway stated, predicting, “She will be successful in this endeavor.”
Dave Plumley, Dan’s brother, of River’s Edge Services in Jay, contracted to have a poplar work table custom built for Sky Ocean. He is “Uncle Gizmo” to Evella, Dan and Tsermaa’s daughter, a sixth-grader at Keene Central School. Computer skills are at the top of the list of his accomplishments.
The commercial grade machines and tools, the furnishings — everything for Sky Ocean — was found locally, Tsermaa says. In particular, the H & J Puding company, of Redford, has been of immense help to her in supplying and servicing sewing machines, she said. But her couture secrets come at least in part from Asia. The loan will pay for a three-week trip to Ulaanbataar, Mongolia, where she will go through further intensive training in designing, grading and pattern sizing, tailoring and other aspects of the dressmaker’s trade. There, she will also spend time with her family.
“I want to see my mom,” she confided.
Tsermaa Dalai Plumley left for Mongolia on Monday, Oct. 20. When she returns, she expects to get to work sewing clothing and creating small items, such as purses and hats, to offer for the holidays.
According to a written statement provided by Conway, “This type of loan is ‘right down the fairway’ for us as far as micro lending. An additional spin-off is that she will purchase her reconditioned sewing equipment from a local vendor and is having her production table custom designed and made by a local wood artisan... Providing capital to help highly creative, home-based business owners succeed is as important as providing them the Internet connectivity that will permit them to reach a wider market.”
The AEDC is a private, not-for-profit economic development corporation, with staff available to help with individual counseling, specialized training programs, workshops and seminars. Its main office, in Saranac Lake, may be contacted at 891-5523 or at info@aedconline.com.
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