LJ Covers Turns One: From a Double Garage to a Custom Textile Powerhouse
One year ago, LJ Covers was just a dream stitched together by hope, a dusty double garage, and a sewing machine that belonged in a museum more than a workshop. Armed with a hand operated eyeletting tool jammed into a chunk of timber, a pair of rusty scissors that could barely cut butter, and a combined 25+ years of experience, we—Leah and Jason—decided to back ourselves.
No investors. No workshop. No Plan B. No options to Fail
Just heart, hustle, and a deep belief that custom-made, Aussie-made, and people-first still matters.
Now, one year on, LJ Covers is officially turning One—and what a year it’s been.
A Year of Fabric, Floods, and Fierce Determination
This year tested us in every way…
We navigated the usual challenges of starting a business—long nights, many tears asking ourselves what have we done and wondering if we could make this work, steep learning curves, and more PVC than we care to admit—but nothing quite prepared us for the cyclone that left us without power for six days.
Yet somehow, that became a turning point.
Through the chaos, our community rallied. Friends, family, and even complete strangers offered support. And in true LJ Covers spirit, we gave back—distributing over 750 sandbags to help others get through the storm, too. You can read all about that in this article – https://ljcovers.com.au/community-support-cyclone-alfred/
That moment captured everything we stand for: resilience, kindness, and pitching in when it counts.
Life, Love, and (Yes) Industrial Covers
Amidst the madness of small business life, we also had some incredible highs.
We got married!
We travelled through Vietnam and Cambodia, soaking in inspiration, sipping egg coffee, and fielding workshop updates from the other side of the world (because let’s face it, small business never really sleeps).
We picked up the keys to our first proper workshop—on the very day we arrived home.
We also:
- Fabricated hundreds of custom ute canopies, camper and trailer covers, industrial tarps, carnival tents and more
- Launched and grew LJ Sports Covers for boxing gyms, clubs, and schools
- Breathed new life into old gear through our repair and alteration service
- Welcomed Charlie and Henry the Cavoodles to the team – chief morale boosters and part-time office nappers
- Strengthened our partnership with Alpine Annexes, helping caravanning adventurers in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales hit the road with confidence
- Had out first work experience student, Tahlia, start with us, which is part of our commitment to growing the industry.
- Jason joined the Specialised Textiles Association (STA) Council, overseeing the Training Portfolio and we are proud members of the STA which has been a guiding light in the beginning and still to this day, it has provided resources, members days out and conferences providing valuable networking opportunities.
- And we leaned heavily on the support of our suppliers, friends, and families, who rolled up their sleeves and got behind us from day one (and still do)
From Makeshift to Momentum
LJ Covers may have started with humble tools and a whole lot of elbow grease, but we’ve grown into something we’re genuinely proud of, and new sewing machines that keep multiplying thanks to Jason, not to mention the welders and tools, so many tools!!
We’re still that hands-on, local team, but now with a reputation for getting things right—first time, every time.
We’ve built more than a business. We’ve built a name people trust. A space where quality matters. A place where no project is “too hard.” And above all, we’ve built relationships—with our community, our customers, and each other. A lot of people ask how we go about working together and living together, and our answer is the same each and every time,
Carefully. Very, very carefully.
(And with a healthy respect for personal space… and power tools.)
The truth is, running a business together isn’t always sunshine and seamless stitches. Sometimes it’s debating fabric choices at 10pm, or realising your “quick job” has turned into an all-nighter and dinner is, once again, toast. Literally.
But it’s also trust, laughter, shared goals, and the kind of teamwork you can’t manufacture.
We know each other’s strengths. We know when to push, when to pull back, and when to hand over the scissors before someone loses a finger.
We’ve built this business the same way we’ve built our relationship—with a lot of love, way too much humour, and the occasional disagreement about where the eyelets should go. (Leah knows best 😉 or so she keeps saying)
And at the end of the day, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
A Heartfelt Thank You
To our customers: thank you for backing local and choosing to support the little guys.
To our community: thank you for lifting us up when we needed it most.
To our suppliers: thank you for believing in us when we were just an ABN and a garage at home. The support, encouragement and time will not be forgotten.
To our families: thank you for everything—the advice, the visits, the muscle, and the endless encouragement.
This year has been equal parts exhausting and exhilarating. And honestly?
We wouldn’t change a thing.
Here’s to Year Two—more growth, more grit, and more good gear made right here.
– Leah & Jason
LJ Covers
Founders | Makers | Still Married | Dreamers
