Rare success story from Colombia: Entrepreneur woman produces fashionable clothes for chickens and pets

PALMIRA, COLOMBIA - OCTOBER 23: A Colombian entrepreneur Nidia Garzon creates and produces fashionable clothes and accessories for pets in a project that was born three years ago. Garzon, 59, is well known in Canada for making coats for chickens. She lives in Palmira, Valle del Cauca, southwestern Colombia and although she is a professional nurse, some years ago she began to develop a taste for making clothes for pets such as dogs or cats, but she did not imagine that she would end up exporting dresses for these birds. The inspiration of her mother, the accompaniment of her sister, and the love for animals, have turned the venture into an example of improvement, fun, and sustenance of a heart in love with others. “I came a few years ago to live with my family and, they gave me a miniature bitch and suggested that I dress her that I put clothes on her, I started buying her but I couldn't find beautiful models or the fabrics, I didn't like the colors, so I ended up making a mold,” said Garzon. Nidia also said how she started sewing clothes for chickens. She said a lady from Canada who came to Palmira to spend holidays asked her if she could make clothes for chickens, adding that people in Canada dress chickens as it is very cold there. With the reference model, Nidia got to work. She made the delivery and then the friends of her first buyer comprehended it and sent dozens of models to her. Her creativity has no limits, thus she decided to continue her business with her company "Creaciones Perlita" three years ago, dedicated to the design of clothes for dogs, cats, rabbits, and now chickens thanks to the Canadian tourist. “I work with recyclable materials, with scraps that I get from pajama factories, swimwear factories. I have several dressmakers who give me scraps, buttons, ribbons, and everything I use for my venture so I am contributing to the environment through recycling,” she added. (Footage by Juan Sebastian Arias Rodriguez ​/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)