Firstly let me start by saying thank you to everyone for the support over the years. Squeak Latex was created to supply the world with creations I could only dream about when I was first entering the community.
I set out to make peoples fantasies come true. To fill that gap in the market where latex animals and inflatable suits where only available at a premium price or just didn't exist.
This is not only my business, but my interest too!

So here is where I stand, being honest and upfront with a community and interest I care so much for.

Like any small business there are bumps in the road and we've had our fair share. I knew that creating the business and designs would in turn have cheaper overseas builders copying our work. This is brought on by members of the
community trying to save money. I don't support it, but I understand why it happens. Because we kept our costs down, taking less profit to compete with copycats, it didn't effect us to greatly.
We grew and expanded (just like our suits) and continued to produce new designs to the community. However, the community and certain members of it can be fickle people. Be it jealousy, not liking me as a person or simply some bad apples. These people
set out to try and sour what I had set out to do. Encouraging others to have our designs copied. Designs we spent months perfecting. Designs that would exist with out our hard work in the first place.
Or simply bad mouthing myself and the brand. Even though they've never purchased or dealt with me.
The vile behavior from these people (that continues to happen) did question why I was putting the effort into the business in the first place. I did retaliate at times and tried to defend my name, but soon realized this made the situation worse.
It had caused quite a lot of depression in me personally to be under attack like this, especially from people I set out on building designs like this for in the first place.
A handful of people didn't effect the business at all, we continued to make suits, but it effected me on a personal level.

I pushed through the bad and continued to supply people with interests like mine with incredible creations. We all must try to move on.

Another year passed and things where going great. I moved countries from Australia to the USA, got married and juggled that big life change plus the business.
Since things where stable I was looking at other ventures (knowing perhaps someone could handle the company better). Some of you might of seen I set out to sell the company, its designs and brand. I had some major interest and were in negotiation talks with interested parties.
Lucky for them, but unlucky for me. Disaster struck!
My suppliers I had been working with over many many years suddenly went quite on me. We had around 30 orders paid for in the que (standard for us). I had already long paid them for this batch of orders months prior as it takes time.
I stopped discussions with parties regarding selling the business until this issue was sorted. We also had to stop taking on new orders.

As a couple of months went on and still nothing. I tried to have the five figured amount paid to my suppliers refunded back to me (via PayPal) Unfortunately it was beyond the time limit window and there was nothing more PayPal could do.
I looked into other legal action but it being an overseas supplier. There wasn't much I could do.
I contacted those whom had outstanding orders with us regarding the situation. Some where after refunds, some where happy to wait it out.
I've been selling personal belongings and any and all spare funds I get have been sunk into correcting this problem.

I managed to get in contact with one of my team direct and found out that my supplier had split.
The main operator of the company left, leaving the small team without jobs and emptying the bank account. Whilst my contact assured me that investigation and such was happening on their end, my main focus was recovering from the situation and seeing if we
can start getting production rolling again.
We did indeed get back in touch with my main builder for my designs and he was happy to start working on my outstanding orders. Success!
Though, it being only one builder we simply can't meet the demand anymore.

This has proved far slower than expected and 10+ months on from the issue, we've only produced a small number of suits and have still not been able to take on new orders.

So, What does this mean for the future of Squeak Latex?

At this stage, I am putting the company into break mode. The company isn't closing its doors! However, until I can build up a bigger team to meet demand. We will be entering a different business structure.
We will no longer be accepting custom orders or orders in general. Once the few last outstanding orders are produced or refunded we will be simply building various suits and putting them up for sale or auction.
So the odd blueberry, otter or general puffy Squeak Latex item will come up for sale every month or so. The community will still have its chance to wear one of our designs!

I just have to go this direction because the stress and uncertainty of not being able to meet demands or deadlines of customers. This way, we can set our own deadlines.



Do I regret starting Squeak Latex?
Not at all!
Knowing what I've given people and to the community makes it all worth while. Not only in the latex/inflation/furry community, but also in the entertainment industry. I've created suits for television programs all over the world, music videos, commercials and advertising.
With some very big named brands and companies involved! It is incredibly humbling.
However, this business and job has cost me friends, reputation and created enemies in the community that I don't think i'll ever be able to recover from.
The stress and depression has been to much at times and I know things will never be the same for me as they once where prior to Squeak.

Finally, i'd like to say those who supported us and all the kind words over the years. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're the reason I kept going all these years.
To those I've disappointed or those few currently waiting for their items. I'm sorry, know that I didn't intend for any of this to happen and the guilt in my stomach keeps me awake at night. I truly am doing all I can to right the wrong. It was beyond my control but, it is being fixed.
Everyone who has ever ordered from us has received what they paid for. No one has ever been scammed or taken advantage of.
There are times where I was not a good business operator and let depression and stress get the best of me by walking away and ignoring emails or simply handling situations incorrectly, I accept this was not the right thing to do.

Those reading this, don't listen to rumors or word of mouth. This is how it is.
There were times I didn't operate as smoothly as I would of liked and what you see above is the reason why you haven't seen a huge turn out from us like in years prior.

I love this interest, it's weird and I adore it. I'm proud of who I am.
I'm proud to have supplied and created items for those who share it.

I look forward to continuing to do so in the future. But for now, it is time to take a step back and focus on what is important.


Thank you all again so much!