I am opening my own business

[Siren]

After 4 months of unemployment, I have had it! No one wants to give me a job, I'll give myself one. I have been developing a business for nearly 2 months. I've always wanted my own business, but could never quite find something that caught my fancy. A little over two months ago, I found a website of a woman who makes the most killer costumes I have seen. She makes fursuits and they are cool as it is, but she also makes quad-fursit. A quad suit allows the wearing to run and walk on all fours.

Here is her wolf suit


And a video of her newest quad...a wolf-Link suit from Legend of Zelda
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Now these suits are not only cool to look at, but strong. You can allow children to ride your back on them, even when running. So I thought...wouldn't it be cool for one of those to come to birthday parties and events. I spent several weeks researching. Talking to parents and showing them what I showed you and asking them if this is something they'd be interested in for birthday parties. I asked 8 parents. Out of the 8, 6 of them are wanting me for their child's next part. The last 2 loved the idea, but didn't give me an actual "Will you do my child's party?"
I also ran this by two businesses, seeing if they would be interested in renting out my service for events, they both were.

So I commissioned her to make me two suits. One for boys and one for girls. The girls will be a unicorn. Figured it would be the most universal girl one. The boys, I decided on a saber-tooth cat. It is something different, boys tend to like prehistoric creatures....and I can't help but think the fun I'll have as that one on Halloween.

She is doing the unicorn first. Then after March, she'll do the cat. She has a heavy workload and she is rushing this unicorn for me, for two reasons. I want to not only use these suits to make money for myself, but money for others too.

Relay for Life is coming up in May. The theme is Renaissance. The director of the event this year is a good friend and one of the business owners who wants me for her store events too. She owns a metaphysical shop. She told me, she will do a ton of advertising for me, if I agree to come to Relay as the unicorn and walk the track in the suit. I thought it was a great idea. I also plan to set up a photo booth and charge a small fee for photos with the unicorn and the money would go to cancer research. So I want the suit for that event for sure.

Then the other event...is Mega Con. Peter S. Beagle, author of The Last Unicorn will be there. I was already planning to attend 2/28 and when I told her, she said it would be totally epic if I had the suit for that. I agreed, but didn't want to rush her. She took it upon herself to have the suit done by mid-Feb! Just so I can meet him in the suit. She wants pictures.

She sent me a picture of the head so far. We originally planned to have her look more like the old gothic unicorns, like from the Unicorn Tapestries...which is what The Last Unicorn is based upon. She said she'll be working on the body today or tomorrow. The tail is apparently done too.



The website she runs is www.beastcub.com She makes amazing costumes, you need to check them all out if you like what you saw so far.

[2099net]

Hi Siren!

I admire your courage in today's economy and I hope everything turns out well. The world needs more people like you at this moment in time!

However, I am a little concerned about your back! I know lots of people have physically demanding jobs which are also hard on their backs - but trust me, having had my brother (who works on a truck assembly line) go through a two year period of intense back pain (and his back will never be 100% right again) you description of potential duties did worry me a little.

Really, all I'm saying is, please take care of your back, and probably read up on back care too.

[Siren]

I have thought about my back. I have my daughter and plan to do a few free parties for friends to have some rehearsals. To see how many kids/how much weight I can take. How long I can go. Etc. I don't plan to run with children on my back, save perhaps my daughter....because of insurance reasons. If the child falls off and gets hurt, I don't want to be blamed. But either a quick little walk in a circle or stand there for pictures with a child on my back, I believe I can take that pretty well.

[2099net]

I wasn't just thinking of carrying the weight, but also having to be on all fours for an extended period of time.

But best of luck once again

[Siren]

Yeah, the test parties will be for that too. I figured 2 hours tops with breaks in between for both resting my body as well as refreshing my water intake. From what the artist told me, she said they comfortable and highly supportive. There are stilts in the arms that protect your wrists too.

[blackcauldron85]

Siren, I am really proud of you!!! I'm so happy that you're going ahead with this! I like it when people are passionate about something and go for it, and that's just what you're doing! Good luck with everything- I can't wait to hear how it goes once you get started!

[Disney Lover]

That is so cool. Good luck with that!

[Disney Duster]

This is so very cool! I had looked at the suits before in your previous thread, and thought the suits were intrigueing, but...well, they slightly creeped me out. I'm not sure if it's just because it's not usual, seeing something that looks so much like a real animal, but you can tell, sometimes, that it's not, and of course it's bigger.

Anyway, I at first thought you would be making the suits yourself. But your business will be you being in the suit? And of course coming up with the ideas for the suits. Well, if you really can make the money you want from that, then that sounds really fun and great! But like Netty, I am worried it will hurt you after doing it so much for so long. I mean, if you did it once in a while for a little extra money, okay...but as your sole job?!

Or...do you have another job too...?

[Maerj]

You may want to buy a back brace BEFORE you do this. Don't mess up your back, it will haunt you for years to come. It will prob be very hot in those costumes as well, it might be better to only do that in air conditioned environments.

[Siren]

Like I said, I'll know my limits when I get it and start my dress rehersals. She added 3 fans in it, as well as vents in the hottest areas. But even then, it will still get hot. Most people have indoor parties in the hottest times of the year too.

And I will have a part time job in the week. Most my work will be two days a week, Saturday and Sunday.

[Disney Duster]

Okay, good, not depending on one job!

But um, now, I know you said you would test your limits...

But what if you don't realize how bad your back gets after doing this again, and again, and again? I don't mean just in the same day, I mean over a loooong time, y'know? Talk to your doctor?

[Jasmine1022]

Dusty, sweetheart...if she says she'll know her limits, she'll know her limits. Obviously she won't push herself too hard, as she said, she won't be running with the kids, etc. Keep in mind that kids really don't weigh that much. It's not like she's going to be giving piggyback rides to 14 year olds. The majority will probably be 4-8 and they're pretty light.

[Chernabog_Rocks]

I second the Proudness of you Siren

Just don't take your head off when the little kiddies can see you

Off-topic: I can see what Retsud Yensid means, my Dad said he knew his limits but lo and behold he ended up with a broken disc in his back and having to through surgery.

Good luck with your part time job Siren, hopefully you'll do really well

[Siren]

Yeah, its really no different then what I normally do as a parent. Piggy back rides, rides on my shoulders. Not to mention, I worked in a grooming shop for 10+ years, lifting BIG dogs. With no major back problems. I know when its too much, I know at what point my body will not handle something. Not to mention, I don't plan to run a marathon with a kid on my back. It will be a normal parental piggy back ride, they get on, I walk in a circle, parents take pictures. Most of the time will be spent without children on my back. The riding thing is mostly, for pictures.

And actually there are some great sites talking about furry etiquette. Now some stuff, it depends on each person...some people talk through their mask...some NEVER will. A majority of furries would never take off their mask in front of children. Other stuff that I learned from it was...never approach a kid. Let them approach you. Don't make sudden, big moves. Take cues from the child. For anthro suits, be low to the ground by kneeling or crouching to make yourself smaller. Stuff like that.

I will also have a spotter with me at all times in the suit. A spotter is an assistant who does not have a suit on. They are there to ensure the safety of the performer as well as those around them. Disney World has spotters for all their characters. When they are getting too hot or overwhelmed, they signal to leave and are escorted. And the spotter does crowd control/baby sitting. Make sure rules are set and not broken...like no tugging on ears and tails and such. Anything that could damage the costume or cause the mask to be pulled off. Also to have plenty of water in hand. Many fursuits you can drink from straws without even taking the head off. But the biggest and most important rule is...have fun. If I am sick, too hot, in pain, its not a good idea for me to get in the suit.

And thanks all for the kind words. I am very excited about this project and already have bookings!

[xxhplinkxx]

Dusty, sweetheart...if she says she'll know her limits, she'll know her limits. Obviously she won't push herself too hard, as she said, she won't be running with the kids, etc. Keep in mind that kids really don't weigh that much. It's not like she's going to be giving piggyback rides to 14 year olds. The majority will probably be 4-8 and they're pretty light.

MEGAN! I haven't seen you around in FOREVER! *waves*


Any who, go on with your bad self, Crystal! I'm sure you'll be safe and careful!

[Siren]

Tomorrow I should have more pictures! She had me take more measurements of myself so I know she is working on the body now. Such weird measurements I had to take.
Other than the normal waist and chest size....
The width of my arm 4" below the elbow. The width of my knee too, lol. I certainly know and understand why she needs those, it was just odd all the same. The arm width is for the front legs. So she knows how wide of a pipe to get and how much padding to add. Knee width so she can of course make sure the knees are properly adjusted for a good range of motion.

[Jasmine1022]

MEGAN! I haven't seen you around in FOREVER! *waves*

<3 :<3 <3

[Elladorine]

Wow, that's just awesome! Hope you have fun with it and everything goes well, the costumes are just gorgeous.

[Siren]

New picture!!!!!!

[Disney Villain]

What amazing costumes! Those are some of the coolest designs I've ever seen; that Unicorn looks great! That's a great business idea, Siren. I wish you the best of luck. It really is a unique idea, and it will turn a few heads. Very cool.