Terminal cancer won't stop Jessica Sidebottom from following her dreams and helping others in need.
When the Rutherford woman (formerly of Pelaw Main) was diagnosed with stage 4B cervical cancer in December 2017, the community rallied to give her the wedding of her dreams.
The mother-of-two underwent chemotherapy but has recently been taken off her trial, and her cancer is growing daily.
So she decided it's time to take the leap and open her own business, The Collab Store, which will also give back to the community through monthly charity initiatives.
"When I was diagnosed, I was given 12 to 18 months to live and honestly thought that was it," the 32-year-old said.
"The community banded together to get me my dream wedding and just support me through of one the hardest times in my life.
"I've recently been taken off my trial and my cancer is growing daily.
"There is no treatment available at the moment so I thought 'stuff it, I'm going to live my dream before it's too late', and I also want to give back to the community.
"I'm not dead yet, so I need to do something that I could be proud of."
The Collab Store will open at East Maitland on Friday.
The store will stock fashion, jewellery, homewares, gifts and more by local designers, and will hold two fundraising initiatives a month.
Customers can nominate a local family in need or charity of their choice and the store will donate $1 from each sale to that family or charity.
The store will also support local schools, with $5 from each DIY necklace made at the in-house bead bar to be donated to a different school each month.
Ms Sidebottom said she's pleased to be supporting other small businesses, many of which trade at markets and haven't been able to operate during the COVID crisis.
I just want to do something good before my time is up, especially in these hard times
Jessica Sidebottom
"I just want to do something good before my time is up, especially in these hard times," she said.
"I just want to leave a legacy before I die, I want to help my community and I want to make my kids and family proud."
The Collab Store is located at 92B Lawes Street, East Maitland and will open on Friday evening with live music by Rod Coote from 5.30pm to 8.30pm.
