My 75th birthday is coming up in a little more than a week.
Some people might throw themselves a party, go on a vacation or buy themselves a lavish gift. I, on the other hand, have decided to go the nonconformist route and start my own blog. I guess it probably won't surprise those who know me: When I was nearing retirement age, I started my own business.
Yes, I admit my business of choice was a little bit self-indulgent. You see, I love bow ties. When I started to have difficulty finding them, I started my own bow tie catalog company, Beau Ties Ltd. of Vermont. My wife, Deb, and I partnered to get the business off the ground and have kept it going for more than 12 years. It's great fun, we have an interesting and loyal clientele, and I get my fill of fashionable ties. It has been a fun "retirement" adventure.
Perhaps, in honor of my birthday, I'll search out the perfect fabric for a new tie. Our customers have been asking for one, but so far Deb and I haven't been able to translate our ideas into a design that we think our guys would like. Any thoughts?
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6 comments:
Happy birthday, Bill! Hope there weren't any leftovers on the cupcakes.
You were asking about other designs and fabrics for bowties. One of my favorites was in the first catalog I received from you. Problem is, I didn't buy it and it hasn't been on-line or in a catalog since!
The design was called something like "King's Own Scots Regiment", a green, silver, and red (?) stripe. Is there any way you can get that pattern again?
I have been wearing bows for two years this month. It all started when I saw your offer of a video and bow tie for $15.00. Well I am hooked. Many of my current collection are yours and I get great comments on them. thanks for starting this and happy birthday
Happy birthday Bill. I turned 75 myself last October and found it most enjoyable. I have been wearing bow ties most of my adult life. I was an Elementary School art teacher and found that when I bent over a child’s art work much chalk, paint, ink, clay, etc. was soon transferred to the tip of any long tie I would wear. Thus my introduction to bow ties. I’ve continued to wear them even into retirement.
For many years I had a difficult time finding distinctive bow ties until I discovered your company. I now have a collection of 54 BEAU TIES bow ties (redundancy intended). That’s one for every year I’ve lived after reaching the age of full majority. I may add another one this coming October! (I’ll drop a few hints to my wife).
Happy Birthday Bill!
I really enjoyed my visit to the factory a few years ago on a vacation in Vermont. That was followed with a trip to the craft brewery just down from your place and then a trip to Waterbury to the Ben and Jerry's factory. Beer, bow ties, and Ben and Jerry's. Life is good!
Happy Birthday Bill:
My wife and I are ardent fans of yours, and even visited your shop when we were in Vermont last summer. I have worn bow ties off and on for more than fifty years. There are now a total of six parishoners at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer that have adopted the bow tie as a signature item. I would like to find a bow tie with the Episcopal Church logo...and chance that you could develop such an item?
Warm regards, Bill
Many more Bill!
I have been trying for years to find a bow tie in one or more of the great fabric designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. I'm an architect, you see, and the only FLW ties I can find are four-in-hand (don't work well at the drafting table you know). I have thought about sending you a few of my long FLW ties to make into bow ties, but would prefer not to sacrifice them. You would be doing the design world a favor if you would make a few.
Dave P.
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