A WIDOWER has fulfilled a promise to his wife by opening his own business.
David Shepherd, 43, launched Total Clothing Solutions, an embroidery and printing shop, in Carlton Square on Saturday with friend Matt Moreton, 42.
He had told wife, Jo, who died in March aged 43 after a battle with cancer, that he would open his own business in her memory.
A message engraved into the shop wall says "For Jo".
Mr Shepherd, of Carlton, said: "It was totally inspired by her.
"I don't know how to put into words how I feel to see it all come together. Jo would have been so proud."
Having previously worked for an embroidery firm in Cotgrave, Mr Shepherd now runs his shop round the corner from his house in Southlea Road, and a stone's throw from the Old Volunteer pub, where the idea came together.
"I'd always said I was going to have my own business," he said. "I just thought 'why not give it a go?' and Jo was my inspiration. She was a teacher and I used to tell her that I would do it so that she wouldn't have to work unless she wanted to."
Business partner Matt, who he has known for ten years, said the venture was a mixture of fate and coincidence.
"Jo had asked me to keep an eye on David, so we became better and better friends. I just happened to be out of a job, and he said he wanted to do something with the business."
Matt has ten years' experience in printing, which he thinks complements the embroidery side of the business.
"He's really made the most of a horrible situation," he said of David. "I would say keeping himself so busy has helped him through."
The shop sells printed clothing with a personal touch and has been inundated with orders.
David said: "It's been a good start. People like to design their own clothes, so we let them come up with their own logo."
The men have also spruced up the area by making new signs for the two shops either side of them. Vernon Coaker, MP for Gedling, who was at the launch, said: "Hopefully, the shop will prove to be the tribute that Jo deserves, and I'm sure everyone will wish David well.
"It's good to see a new business taking over a shop that has been derelict."
