Creativity Likes Action
My definition of success is doing what you want, when you want, with the people you want.
I had always wanted to start my own company and was looking for the inspiration and the time to do it. As I was going through a life transition, it felt right to start a new venture. A single parent to two little girls, I wanted the flexibility to work from home and decide my income. Time and money — isn’t that what most of us want more of in life?
It all began with a question. Sitting in a family friend’s office, I saw a graph of “consumables” laid out across his desk. I asked, “What is the most used consumable at your pipeline company?” Six out of the 10 SKUs on the most-consumed list were work gloves. Based on that information, I decided to start a glove company.
Sally Morse, owner of Spectra Supply (left), supports women’s training programs, government programs, and youth through high schools and events like Jill of All Trades.
I quickly realized that there weren’t a lot of glove options and availability for women. The market was strong and ripe, and I needed to build on two glove styles. In business you need a differentiator — be different or be better. I was falling a bit short on both fronts. So I sourced for better sizing, did anatomy research, and found a manufacturer who was willing to work with me. The new manufacturer actually started out as one of my competitors — but that’s a whole other story! I fine-tuned the styles, function and fit by getting direct feedback from women in the field. Fast forward and I am preparing to launch an entire women’s glove line in Spring 2023. I am beyond excited!
During the past year, I also started researching all the inclusive PPE that I could represent. My company, Spectra Supply, now sells over 17 women’s brands to companies in the energy sector. My what and how quickly turned into my why. I am energized every day by the opportunity I have to serve women in industry. I support women’s training programs, government programs, and youth through high schools and events, like Jill of All Trades. It was the coolest thing ever. Seeing over 150 young girls weld, manipulate sheet metal and build a brick wall was so inspiring. I’ve also co-founded an events company to create a space for the exchange of ideas, information and collaboration within the trades and technology industries. Our first event will be 2023 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
To anyone who is thinking of starting a company, a side hustle or just wants to make something better, I encourage you to do it! You can register a company for a small fee, create a logo, and start a website for free. There are lots of resources out there that don’t cost a lot of money. It’s also amazing how you can look back on all the jobs that you have ever had and repurpose those skills in your new endeavor. Use your resources, knowledge, connections, and Google — it’s your friend.
I bootstrapped in the beginning and used Fiverr, Wix, Upwork, Canva and free software to get things moving. Start small and grow your products/ideas and test the market along the way. Also, don’t pigeonhole yourself. I could have incorporated Spectra Gloves instead of Spectra Supply and I am so happy I didn’t. That would’ve limited me as I grew.
You will need to be prepared to put in the work. The life of an entrepreneur entails dealing with highs and lows and a lot of problem solving. Even on the darkest days, know that it will get better. Just keep going. Embrace the suck and use that time to innovate. Be curious and open to what ideas and information come your way. Find your inspiration and act on it. Creativity likes action, and even if you don’t know where to start, just create momentum. Don’t strive for perfection; strive for progress.
If you have any questions or would like to reach out, you can follow or connect with me through Spectra’s social media platforms. Be the creator of your life and reach for the stars.
IG: @spectra_supply @spectra_gloves
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/SallyFromSpectra
About the Author: Sally Morse is the owner of Spectra Supply Inc., a Canadian company supporting many industries including oil and gas, construction, mining, manufacturing, electrical, automotive, landscaping and agriculture. They distribute Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and specialize in carrying inclusive selections of women’s PPE. Spectra Gloves are sold in over 45 retail stores in western Canada.
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