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The stiff, scratchy, ugly blue scrubs of old have made way for bright, comfortable — even fashionable — garb offered at a new business in Grass Valley, We’ve Got Scrubs.
Even plain white looks beautiful, with more flattering cuts and embroidery.
Despite the difficult economy, partners Christine Pickering and Sandy Knight saw an opportunity: All the medical, veterinary, chiropractic, dental and other facilities that require employees to wear scrubs, and no local stores that specialize in the uniforms.
Pickering, a Mendocino County native who moved to Grass Valley in 1999, had worked in the medical field. By the time she ordered her scrubs online and paid shipping, “I could get an extra top.
“The time and gas that it takes to go to Roseville ... people can’t really afford that,” she said. “I knew there was a market.”
Knight, a native of Durban, South Africa, immigrated to the United States in 1986, lived and worked in the Bay Area, and moved to Grass Valley in 2002. He brings 30 years of expertise in customer service, “making unhappy customers happy,” Knight said.
Pickering found “inventory from a store that went out of business, and we began selling the products we acquired.” Knight said. “ We soon noticed a nice niche in the market for compression stockings and maternity support products.”
Pickering orders from leading manufacturers including Dickies, Cherokee, Urbane landau and Grey’s Anatomy, she said.
“We’re really into what people like,” Pickering said.
The partners keep an eye on fashion, competitive pricing with stores “down the hill,” an inviting atmosphere and “great customer service,” Knight said.
He had some advice for others thinking about starting a business in tough times:
“Focus on good, solid planning,” Knight said. “Once the plan is established, it should be followed and monitored frequently to avoid straying from the plan. Be careful of new opportunities that will distract from your core business.”
To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.
Even plain white looks beautiful, with more flattering cuts and embroidery.
Despite the difficult economy, partners Christine Pickering and Sandy Knight saw an opportunity: All the medical, veterinary, chiropractic, dental and other facilities that require employees to wear scrubs, and no local stores that specialize in the uniforms.
Pickering, a Mendocino County native who moved to Grass Valley in 1999, had worked in the medical field. By the time she ordered her scrubs online and paid shipping, “I could get an extra top.
“The time and gas that it takes to go to Roseville ... people can’t really afford that,” she said. “I knew there was a market.”
Knight, a native of Durban, South Africa, immigrated to the United States in 1986, lived and worked in the Bay Area, and moved to Grass Valley in 2002. He brings 30 years of expertise in customer service, “making unhappy customers happy,” Knight said.
Pickering found “inventory from a store that went out of business, and we began selling the products we acquired.” Knight said. “ We soon noticed a nice niche in the market for compression stockings and maternity support products.”
Pickering orders from leading manufacturers including Dickies, Cherokee, Urbane landau and Grey’s Anatomy, she said.
“We’re really into what people like,” Pickering said.
The partners keep an eye on fashion, competitive pricing with stores “down the hill,” an inviting atmosphere and “great customer service,” Knight said.
He had some advice for others thinking about starting a business in tough times:
“Focus on good, solid planning,” Knight said. “Once the plan is established, it should be followed and monitored frequently to avoid straying from the plan. Be careful of new opportunities that will distract from your core business.”
To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.
About the biz
We’ve Got Scrubs• Owners Christine Pickering and Sandy Knight
• 434 Colfax Ave., Grass Valley
• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
• (530) 272-6269, fax (530) 231-6131
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