INDUSTRIAL WORK, SAFETY AND OUTDOOR WEAR FOR WOMEN
Who am I and what is this about
This is an exclusive personal shopping experience for women in communities on the west coast of Canada. My name is Audrey Rippingale and I am founder/owner/truck driver of this mobile business based out of Campbell River on Vancouver Island. My history is driving trucks and running equipment and I have been a part of the trades for decades now. My own frustration at not being able to find work wear had me thinking it was time someone did something about this issue. So when an ongoing wrist injury prevented me from continuing to drive concrete trucks, which I enjoyed doing for Island Ready Mix for the previous eight years, I realized the time to do something had come. This crossroads in life got my creativity flowing and the business was born. I travel the west coast with my Kenworth and converted semi-trailer which sets up as a store filled with women's industrial work, safety and outer wear.
Here is an interview with CBC Radio North in May 2016 while I was in Terrace, BC. The interview covers who I am, what I am all about and the issues that us women working in industry and trades can face when it comes to getting work wear that is functional for us.
"CBC Daybreak North" by host Carolina de Ryk - Audio
My story is also wonderfully summed up by CTV Vancouver Island News when Lisa Perry did a segment on my truck. The only thing I would add to the interview is that pink is not "my theme". I do carry some pink PPE because women have requested it, but I carry a wide range of all types of women's work, safety and outer wear. I am very proud to run my own trucking business and to help women working in trades and industry get what they need to get their jobs done.
It is fitting I end my travels up north in Dawson Creek. It has that same small-town BC feel here as it does in my home town Campbell River. The people are respectful and hard-working, and although it has not been the busiest of all my stops, I know I will find a way in my future to make it bac
Hey ladies, I have added Fox Creek to my calendar, which means I will be in Dawson Creek a week later. Fox Creek October 27 to November 1. Dawson Creek November 3 to Nomber 7.
My year has been so crazy. The idea of this business came to me while delivering shotcrete in the concete truck I used to drive to our local mine. My ongoing wrist injury had me searching for a new pathway in life. Wow, and now to be receving an award, I am overwhelmed.
The BC Chamber of Commerce and BC Hydro are hosting job fairs and business-to-business networking sessions in the Peace region next week. Tumbler Ridge October 5th, Chetwynd October 6th and Fort St. John October 7th.
It has been a couple busy weeks getting ready. The chains are fitted and ready to go for my Kenworth, the air conditioner has been replaced with heaters, and the lightweight women's gear has been replaced with lots of fuzzy, warm, insulated gear! Ladies of the Peace region, I am soooo excited t
It has been 5 weeks since I pulled out of the driveway on York Road, Campbell River. Five communities: Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Prince George, Terrace and finally now Smithers. As I start the process of securing everything down in the truck, I can't help reflect back on this amazing tour of nort