Iron Man Barry's homegrown business

LISMORE'S own Iron Man is out in full force challenging stereotypes, battling creases and fighting with an iron fist from the comfort of his own home.

Lismore resident Barry Ford gets a hug from his wife, Lisa, as he willingly attends to the ironing. . Picture: Jacklyn Wagner

LISMORE’S own Iron Man is out in full force challenging stereotypes, battling creases and fighting with an iron fist from the comfort of his own home.

Forget Robert Downey Jr and his recent movie blockbuster release, Barry Ford has been saving jobs and preventing image anxiety in the local community by ironing business attire, among many other items, in perfect fashion right before that big important meeting.

The 60-year-old retiree was a dry cleaner for 45 years before his arthritis flared up and he was forced to abandon his standing duties and started up Barry’s Ironing Service out of his family home in Wyrallah Road.

Four weeks into his home-grown business venture and Barry is off to a flying start, ironing legally binding robes and turning down odd requests.

“I had a judge come in the other day wanting his professional robe ironed,” he said.

“It also needed a bit of sewing done so my wife was able to do that and the ironing only took 20 minutes.

“We get all sorts of things to iron. Bedcovers, face washers, pillow cases, tea towels.

“When I first started this I had a lady come in wanting her G-string ironed with two creases in the front. I don’t do underwear.”

Mr Ford set up his ironing business in a bid to fight boredom and keep him busy post full-time work.

His set-up in the back of his house allows him to sit comfortably, guarded behind an ironing press, additionally armed with a hand-held iron and a spray bottle of water.

Mr Ford has even recruited his sons, aged eight and 11, to help carry supplies up and down the stairs.

His wife, Lisa, is happy for her husband to take the reins of what is often perceived as women’s work, which is coincidentally something she hates.

“I hate ironing, but I will do it if it helps him,” she said.

Originally published as Iron Man Barry's homegrown business