SUNSHINE FACTORY
JOANNIE MURPHY
Founder, owner/proprietor of Sunshine Factory (gear and pro shop)
How many years in the sport? 48

I was in University at a Frat Party and a group were going and asked me along ; and I was like sure, why not? 
When I got to the DZ, Roanoke Rapids , North Carolina, they said OK, it’s $30 for one jump or $65 to get off static line. I think to myself …. well, $65 is a much better deal, so I signed up for the $65 program. I made that first jump and the DZ owner said, OK, are you ready to make another? I remember thinking to myself, OK, I did this, I’m alive, do I really want to do this again? I hesitated, thought about it and the rest is history. YES, I made that 2nd one right away and I was hooked.

Well … some people say I AM “Zhills Style” – I don’t know if I am or not. I bring in entertainment to the DZ/Birdhouse. I’ve brought in Bands, Casino, Individual Artists, Karaoke, Magician – to name a few. And I also do all of the decorating for special events. I put up a Disco Ball and many disco type moving lights in the Birdhouse to turn it into a music party venue. Along with that on special nights, I put table cloths on the tables along with color changing candles to transform the room. I’ve perpetuated the Flamingo Theme and Alligators around the DZ. I’ve also designed our new Jerseys along with the new staff Jersey. During ZCarnivale I hosted the mask painting parties and many other events.

I also, because of my love of history, have worked to preserve the history of skydiving at Zhills. I have made the Birdhouse into a mini museum displaying many historical items and photos. I have also added historical memorabilia to the bar tables and covered them with bar top epoxy. These tables include articles from the World Meet that was held here in 1981 and the Wingsuit and Canopy Piloting World Meets held in recent years. I also have a money table that includes coins from every one of the 80 Countries that we tracked visiting us in one year. I have done a patch table also that includes patches from the early 1960s. Did you know that when the World Meet was held here in 1981, the post office cancelled all postage that came into the post office, with the World Meet Logo?

And as the owner of Sunshine Factory I think I provide a great service to Zhills with a full service Pro Shop. A walk in shop at a DZ is a rarity, not the norm. I have owned Sunshine Factory since 1984.