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A Christchurch woman’s passion has led to a business that’s turning life around for left-handers. Meet Alyson Harris, the champion for the left-handed community.
Alyson Harris is a familiar name among some left-handed Kiwis. A proud left-hander herself, Alyson spent a lifetime grappling with right-handed gadgets. “You know, scissors never quite fit, tape measures were always upside down,” she laughs. But it’s this shared experience that led Alyson to a journey of discovery.
Once her kids had grown, Alyson found herself looking for something new, something that resonated with her own experience. She spotted an opportunity, or rather, a void in the marketplace for left-handed products. “Why not fill it?” she thought. So, Alyson started Elite Left selling left-handed goods, everything from ergonomic pens to reversed rulers, and she’s found they make a world of difference for her customers.
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“Who knew rulers could be such a headache, eh?” Alyson says with a smile. “But turn them around for a lefty, and it’s a whole new world.”
Lefties make up about 10% of the population, and Alyson offers a variety of pens that are designed to prevent the notorious left-handed smudge. Rollerball pens, she’s found, work wonders for fellow left-handers. “If you write upside down like I do, these pens are a lifesaver,” she beams.
Ergonomics is at the forefront of Alyson’s mission. She’s not just selling products but providing solutions that ease everyday discomforts, especially for those with arthritis or other physical struggles.
“Using the right tool for your left hand is not just about comfort; it’s about your health.” Left-handed individuals are all too familiar with the woes of smudging when writing on glossy paper.
Alyson sells quick-drying pens that reduce this common annoyance. “Birthday cards are still a bit tricky,” she admits with a chuckle, “but for everything else, these pens are a game-changer.”
Alyson’s line doesn’t stop at stationery; she’s got everything a left-hander might need, from kitchen knives to garden secateurs. “These aren’t just tools; they’re a revelation, a realisation that left-handers weren’t bad at cutting or prone to blisters; they were simply using the wrong tools.
“Using the right equipment for your left hand feels so much better. It’s easier, more comfortable, and just more…you.” Alyson’s journey is more than a business; it’s a calling, a way to connect with others who share her left-handed experience. It’s about making life a little bit more harmonious for those who’ve often felt out of place in a right-handed world.
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