'Life is like a jigsaw puzzle - every experience (be it good or bad) and person that interacts in your life is a piece of the puzzle.'

Liana Baffari is an Italian born artist who emigrated with her family to Australia in the early 1960s. After a wide and varied range of careers - from working as a private investigator, security manager, fitness instructor to an events coordinator - she established adidog walk wear designer 'art clothing for dogs', and matching 'people wear'. Liana has a solid background in business and promotions which is now being combined with her creative talents and diverse business endeavours. She currently lives at Tweed Heads on the Far North Coast of NSW and sees life as a voyage full of dreams, enriched by diverse experiences and a constant striving for achievement.

What gave you the motivation/inspiration to follow your dream?

From adidog’s perspective, some time ago I was at a Brisbane market and was in awe of the well-groomed people and their equally well-groomed pets parading gracefully around the grounds. I particularly took note of the ‘trendy’ dogs sporting an array of designer coats. As an artist I have always sought unusual mediums to use as a canvas and I love the concept of ‘walking art’ (I also paint designs on denim jeans and jackets for adults, teens and children). While wandering around the market, I started to visualise dogs and owners in handpainted matching designer wear. The seed of adidog walk wear began to grow. I saw the artistic and business potential of tapping into the complex human love for dogs and the individual ‘paw prints’ of their canine pets.

At what point did you realise that your dream was actually possible, and what was it that made you think you could really do it?

I am an individual with diverse interests and many, many goals and dreams. By believing in myself I achieve the realisation that my dreams are actually possible. With the adidog concept, I knew that my dream was a reality when I completed the first dog coat. Art has always been a part of my life, although it is something that I ‘mould’ around my lifestyle and varied interests. As a teenager, I pursued a career in business, and progressed to senior management roles. I had a wide and diverse range of careers and interests. I’ve worked as a private investigator, commercial agent, security manager, events coordinator, and a fitness and self-defence instructor. At 50+ I still have an active interest and involvement in the fitness industry. I hold a first degree black belt in taekwondo. I’ve been involved in theatre, learned to rock climb and shoot firearms, trekked live volcanoes and climbed at altitude. Adidog was created because of my interest in art and the desire to create an unusual and novel artistic medium. My mother once told me that God had given me an artistic gift, that I should use it and to never lose sight of my talent and abilities. With this in mind I began to explore new and creative artistic mediums. It was here that adidog walk wear began to take shape.

When you were a child, what did you want to ‘be’ when you grew up?

As a child I was fascinated by art, theatre, words and the inspiration gained from creative streams. I wanted to be everything! Actually, I don’t think that I’ve ever grown up, as there are still so many things that I want to be, such as a forensic scientist, a palaeontologist, a truck driver … I have always had dreams and expectations.

How did your childhood influence you in later life?

Childhood experiences moulded my being, taught me rules and made me the person I am today. The immediate people in my life helped to set my values; acquaintances and friends fed my emotions; sad or bad experiences taught me to believe; and the innocence of youth gave me confirmation that dreams exist.

Who are your role models?

Inevitably the greatest prophet of all… my mother. She has strength, courage and the ability to understand me. Mum’s smile and her incredible character and devotion have kept the family together even in the toughest times. Her ability to fight and never give up, and her vision, wisdom and patience are a constant inspiration. I also pay homage to the many strangers who have crossed my path and have left their mark. Their actions and gestures of kindness continue to give me encouragement and vision. I recall a disabled gentleman who overtook me in his wheelchair on an endurance Fun Run. I was at a point of exhaustion. Demoralised, deflated and tired, I felt that I could not keep on going. He taught me that obstacles are merely temporary barriers and that dreams are achievable if you put your mind to them. I finished the race.

What does success mean to you?

Success is a calculated measure of self-preservation, personal gratification and power. It is the ability to perform at one’s personal best, to overcome obstacles and to achieve results. Success is not a monetary gain, but rather one of self-victory and often a challenge of the emotions.

What has been one of the biggest barriers you have had to face, what happened, and how did you overcome it?

I have always had a strong sense of self-worth and I possess the ability to keep going even when (at times) all I wanted to do was give up. Creating adidog involved more than merely painting - it involved research, purchasing suitable fabrics, design creation, production and, most importantly, learning to sew! I didn’t even own a sewing machine when I started. In fact I’d never owned one and could barely sew a button on a shirt let alone attempt to make professional garments. I had to learn to sew - this was obvious. So I went to the best teacher I knew - my mother. Mum and I spent endless hours together. She became the patient teacher and I the frustrated student. After many testing hours of cutting fabric, sewing samples and unpicking numerous mistakes, I finally got it right. Having overcome this hurdle, I became more confident and was determined to make it happen. Through my diverse occupations I have encountered and overcome many barriers - some harder than others. I believe that clarity of thought and logic enables me to overcome such barriers. I also live by the rule that barriers are educational tools and that we can learn from these experiences. I always try to find something positive in a negative situation and apply what I have learnt to ‘life’.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? What is your vision for the future?

There is a Gothic inspired church in Port Macquarie labelled an ‘artist’s retreat’ that was for sale some years ago. I have kept the clipping from the paper. Every now and then I look at it and think ‘one day, this will be my home’. I see myself as a semi-recluse yet living life to the fullest, painting, studying and active in the fitness industry. I intend to make the most of what I have been given. As the adidog walk wear range is uniquely handpainted, and no two designs are alike, I hope to see the collection developing into an exclusive up-market range, with sales expanding overseas. I believe that my life will always be diverse and multi-faceted and that adidog will always be a reflection of my creative stream. I know that I will live life to the fullest and treasure every moment and everything that I do.

What would you like to say to other women who may be just starting out on a ‘Daring to Dream’ journey?

Dreams are a succession of images that present themselves in our mind’s eye. They are an eclectic mix of surreal beauty, personal goals, charm, inspiration and hope. Daring to dream is the ability to embrace the vision, and to have the courage to walk the journey, the power to overcome life’s obstacles, and the will to make things happen. Be prepared for the journey. Be confident in yourself. Understand your values, goals, ambitions, strengths and weaknesses. Take control of your inner thoughts and be strong and determined enough to fight. There will be times when you need to battle the odds. Believe in the knowledge that you can and will succeed. Take criticism positively and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Life is like a jigsaw puzzle - every experience (be it good or bad) and person that interacts in your life is a piece of the puzzle. And finally, be true to yourself and your emotions… your dreams will come true.