IB Woman
Issue No. 49 - October/November 2009
Regional business model
While Kerry Mosey studied design and pattern making, she felt lost and alone when it came to being in business.
Her first business partnership was as the designer of Anklebiters, a range of children’s clothing, and her second was as the designer of Hitech Apparel golfwear, which used an exclusive and imported waterproof material.
Her third, and most successful, foray was in 1994 when Kerry started Bull Rush Clothing as her own private venture.
“Bull Rush was a concept I was passionate to follow but I had no idea about being in business and had no-one I could turn to for help,” Kerry admits. “I have tried to learn
from my mistakes, but I felt totally out of my depth. I firmly believe my success would have been faster and less painful if I had had a business centre or mentor to whom I could
have turned.”
Despite her initial lack of business acumen, Kerry was determined to design an alternative range of country clothing in an era being influenced by both Madonna and Garth Brooks. She says the idea of Australian-made western apparel was a niche that wasn’t being filled.
“I started out doing everything myself including the fabric buying, pattern making, sewing, distributing and sales,” she says. She drew on her background in fabric sales and modelling. “It was exhausting but I was determined. I was also keen to use only Australian-made fabrics and, as the business grew, Australian manufacturers.
“I contrac...
