Not by Myself is Fletcher Jones' autobiography written in 1976, the year before he died. This book covers his early years in Bendigo and his experiences as a returned soldier turned door to door salesman and as a traveling hawker. It details the events from there leading to the establishment of the unique staff co-operative (clothing) enterprise known around Australia as Fletcher Jones. It covers the people and the philosophies that influenced his life and help him grow his business from hawking clothes around country Victoria with a horse and cart to a large chain of trouser, suit and dress stores that bore his famous name.
Fletcher Jones, like Sidney Myer, was one of Australia's legendary self made businessmen, who build up an empire from humble beginnings. Years ago I read (and I still have) Alan Marshall's biography of Sidney Myer, titled The Gay Provider. I had always known of Fletcher Jones and his clothing empire, based in the Victorian country town of Waarnambool, so it was with some excitement that I found a copy of Not By Myself in a second hand shop, for only a few dollars. I snatched it up.
Fletcher Jones was always renowned for quality clothing and was for many years the official supplier for Australian Team uniforms. Their wool flannel suits and trousers were always in demand.
Sadly, his empire eventually fell foul to the cheap imports that now flood our markets. On 8 December 2011, the more than 40 Fletcher Jones stores were placed into administration. On 14 December, it was announced that 15 of the stores, including one at Warrnambool where the company started, would close immediately. The remaining 30 stores remained open for awhile but now there are only a small number of specialist stores left in existence and I don't think the family is involved any more.
Anyway, to the book. I found it very easy to read, with 58 small chapters, each of 3-5 pages, that step through his career and paint vivid pictures of the many people who helped him along the way or else from whom he found his inspiration. A humble man, he is quick to attribute his many successes to the myriad of people who were part of his journey.
The book also talks at length of the sort of business he setup, namely one which shared its profit with his workers who were all part of the Fletcher Jones family. A committed Christian, his business ethic was guided by his faith.
A great addition to the library and a must-read for Australians.
