Change is inevitable...
“Change is inevitable growth is optional, choose wisely.” I’m seeing this attributed to a few different folks on the internet, but my mom used to tell me this as a teenager, and maybe earlier than that. So in my world it’s “my mom always said….”
Change is inevitable growth is optional, choose wisely.
When I started The Fixed Line LLC, it grew from a desire to help folks out, keep good gear out of the landfill, and to build something of my own to balance seasonal work in the mountains. I new there was demand for repairs because as soon as anyone hears you have a sewing machine, the first question they ask is “do you think you could fix/alter/modify my…” and I was being asked a lot. Little did I know how much demand there would be!
The business grew from a summer gig, to year round, to so busy year round that I went part time patrolling at Alyeska. And then the pandemic hit, things got a bit uncertain, but the outdoors, it was there for us. By all accounts, outdoor recreation has exploded during the pandemic, and despite reducing hours while I home schooled my kid, picked up more patrol work and tried to figure out the new normal; demand never slowed down. The more you all got out to play, work and recreate in the outdoors, the more rips, tears and blown zippers I was hearing about. You all should be proud of the wear and tear you’ve inflicted on your gear the last couple years, it’s resiliency in action!
Over the last five years, I have been so fortunate to learn so much about gear repair, sewing, business ownership and operation, customer service. I have already grown so much through all of your support and the challenging repairs you’ve sometimes brought me. From fellow small business owners to visiting climbers and skiers and so many Alaskans from Nome to Kake, and even a few New Yorkers and Californians, the trust you’ve put in me to keep your gear and more importantly your adventures going has been an honor.
Ultimately, I came to realize that I had to choose between my personal growth and the business growing. It hasn’t been an easy choice, but since change is inevitable and I want to continue to grow, I have decided to sell The Fixed Line LLC and embrace the change as I choose personal growth.
Fortunately for the outdoor community of Alaska, while the ownership of the business is changing, it should also be well set up for choosing growth and continuing to support your outdoor adventures.
From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone who has trusted me with their gear over the last five years. Thanks for helping me take new risks, help where I was able, and maybe even, just a bit, share in your adventures in our great state and beyond.
In Adventure,
Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi
Founder
The Fixed Line LLC
