"Brave move" could well be their middle names, say the founders of a clothing business that's launched its first permanent shopfront amid a pandemic.
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But The Signature Bull co-directors Gavin McNulty and Kristel Barrow are up for the challenge as their store opens in Dubbo's CBD this week.
After seven years operating a mobile store in a truck across a large swathe of Australia, they snapped up a 155-square-metre premises in Talbragar Street when its lease became available.
As The Signature Bull welcomed the first customers to its shop newly-fitted out by local trades and suppliers, NSW's battle with the latest COVID-19 outbreak entered a seventh week.
Despite the tough times for business as a fallout from the pandemic, the retailers were not deterred from taking the plunge.
"I think that's our middle name, 'brave move', or we just get in and do it, basically," Ms Barrow said.
I think that's our middle name, 'brave move', or we just get in and do it, basically.
- The Signature Bull co-director Kristel Barrow
"So we operate a mobile trailer as well so that's been very hard through these times but you know, if we all do the right thing we can get through it all.
"So it has been tough but the outcome's pretty good so, no, we're pretty happy and we just basically keep going, no matter what, no matter what hurdle, you just keep going."
They had been preparing to open a first The Signature Bull store in western Sydney, but hold-ups saw them shift their focus to western NSW.
They already felt among friends at Dubbo, through years of having Inland Petroleum providing space for them to park their mobile store, and Iron Earth Diesel servicing their truck and trailer, Mr McNulty said.
"We were doing Penrith first, and this building [at Dubbo] came up, and because we know this building is really well-known, we jumped on it while it was there," he said.
"Everything out here is easier, dealing with councils and all that sort of stuff is very fast, so this one just came together really quick.
"It just became a decision that it was quicker and easier to open this one than Penrith."
The Signature Bull stocks Ringers Western, and the two companies worked well together, Ms Barrow said.
Soon the duo will return to life on the road, spending 11 months of the year in their mobile store.
They've appointed a Dubbo store manager, and were looking at their staffing needs.
"And it will depend, obviously new stores you don't know how many staff members you need, but I think there will be at least three, which is creating opportunities there," Ms Barrow said.
The Signature Bull founders believe the benefits of their opening in the city will flow both ways.
"...I think Dubbo's got a lot to offer the store as well, and the store's got a lot to offer Dubbo and the community and the people as well," Ms Barrow said.
It's been quite a journey to get to the newest chapter of their business.
"We started off in a car trailer and a tipper and we slept in the back on a swag, so we've come a long way in the past seven years," Ms Barrow said.
"But we started small and only built on it, and if something knocks us down, we just get back up and keep going."
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